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Mind, Brain, Behavior Track (MBB)

Mind Brain Behavior (MBB) is an Honors track (14 half courses).

The Linguistics/MBB track gives students an opportunity to delve into the neurobiological, psychological, philosophical, and evolutionary aspects of language, in the process becoming familiar with the different ways that researchers in these fields approach language-related problems. Another option encourages exploration of the relationships between language and computer science, including computational neuroscience. Whatever their specific choices, students who elect to concentrate in Linguistics/MBB graduate with a unique knowledge base and an invaluable set of skills and tools.

Required non-tutorial courses (9 half-courses)

  • One of the introductory courses:
    • Linguistics 83: Language, Structure, and Cognition
    • Linguistics 101: The Science of Language: An Introduction
    • Freshman Seminar in linguistics (e.g. 34x: Language and Prehistory; 61Q: the Origins of Meaning)
  • Linguistics 102: Sentence Structure
  • Linguistics 105: Sounds of Language
  • Linguistics 106: Knowledge of Meaning
  • Three required half-courses in MBB:
    • SLS20: Psychological Science
    • MCB 80 or NEURO 80: Neurobiology of Behavior
    • An MBB interdisciplinary seminar (see the MBB website for more information).
  • One additional half-course in linguistics
  • One additional half-course in MBB

Required tutorials (5 half-courses)

Sophomore: Linguistics 97r (spring)

Two consecutive six-week small-group tutorials
[Letter Grade]

Junior: Linguistics 98a (fall), and Linguistics 98b (spring)

Ling 98a: Two consecutive six-week small-group tutorials
Ling 98b: One-term individual tutorial with a faculty member
[Letter Grade]

Senior: Linguistics 99a (fall), and Linguistics 99b (spring)

Required for Honors candidates and focused on the research and writing of the senior Honors thesis.
Group tutorial led by an instructor with the participation of Honors candidates’ thesis advisers.
[SAT/UNSAT]

Language Requirements

Concentrators in the MBB track must demonstrate knowledge of one foreign language by the end of the junior year as required by the college (see "Language Requirement" in the Handbook for Students).

Note: the same language course cannot count toward both the concentration requirement and the language requirement.  But a language course that does not count toward the language requirement can count as an elective course in linguistics (i.e. as the additional half-course in linguistics).

Thesis

Required for Honors concentrators.

NOTE:

  • Courses taken Pass/Fail may not be counted for concentration credit.
  • Study Abroad: Courses taken abroad that are directly related to Linguistics count towards the relevant requirements. Please discuss your courses with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.