BBB Frequently Asked Questions

How can I declare BBB as my major?
Students should meet first with their academic advisor, who will be of assistance in setting up or updating an official Penn InTouch worksheet. Students may then come to BBB walk-in advising hours or make an appointment with Dr. Abel or Dr. Heerding. The BBB major can be declared online.

Can I get transfer credit for a summer course at another university?
Students wishing to take a course at another university must petition the department at Penn which has a course most closely matching that course prior to enrollment. If the course is similar to a BBB course, course information may be forwarded to Dr. Heerding for approval. BBB courses are listed at http://www.psych.upenn.edu/bbb/BBBCourses.htm.

Why am I on registration hold?
All sophomores who have not declared a major by the beginning of Advanced Registration period for the following Fall semester will be put on hold by the College until they officially declare a major. All BBB juniors are put on hold until they meet with a BBB advisor to determine the courses necessary to complete the requirements for the BBB major. Students may come to walk-in advising hours or make an appointment with Dr. Abel or Dr. Heerding.

Can I take more BBB courses than are required for the major?
Students are encouraged to take as many BBB courses as they like. Eight approved courses can count towards the BBB electives. Additional BBB courses may be used towards another major or minor, depending on that department's requirements.

Do CGS courses fulfill BBB major requirements?
Yes, students may use CGS courses to fulfill BBB requirements.

Can I petition to use a course that is not on the approved BBB elective list count towards my major?
Any modification in the requirements (e.g. course substitutions) must be requested by the student no later than the first semester of their junior year. Course substitutions are not encouraged and must be brought to the attention of the Director. If such a petition is granted, it is the student's responsibility to ensure the exception is entered on their Penn InTouch worksheet.

I'm a BBB major. If I want to declare the BBB/Health Care Management minor, can I double-count my BBB courses towards both the major and the minor?
Yes, BBB majors may double-count BBB courses towards both their BBB major and the BBB/HCMG minor.

I'm interested in pursuing research. How do I find a advisor for BBB 399?
A list of potential advisors can be found on the PennBrain website. Research advisors must be standing faculty members working in the broad field of neuroscience. Students should identify 2-3 professors whose work interests them. Students are then encouraged to e-mail each professor requesting a meeting to discuss potential research projects.

What are the requirements to graduate with honors in BBB?
Students must enroll in BIBB 399 and 499 during their junior or senior year, completing both semesters working in the same lab on the same project. In order to register for BIBB 499, a student's cumulative GPA must be above 3.3. Students graduating with honors are required to give an oral presentation of their research at the BBB Student Research Symposium.

What is the BBB Student Research Symposium?
Each year in the Spring, the BBB program sponsors a symposium at which BBB majors present their research. Students students engaged in more than one credit of BBB 399 on campus and juniors pursuing an honors thesis present posters of their work. Honors students give an oral presentation of their work.

I'm doing a second semester of research. Do I need to submit another application?
Students must submit a completed Sponsored Research application form for each semester in which they engage in research for credit.

If my GPA is not above 3.3, can I still do more than one semester of research?
Students whose GPA does not qualify them for BBB 499 may enroll in additional semesters of BBB 399.

How many sponsored research credits (BIBB 399 and 499) can I take?
Students may enroll in as many sponsored research credits as they like. Two credits will count towards the BBB electives, and any additional credits may be counted as unrestricted College electives.