DEPARTMENT OF NEUROBIOLOGY

2024-2025 Course Catalog

NEUROSCI 102-0 – College and The Brain

NEUROSCI 390-0-27 – Neuroscience in the News

Neuroscience has long captured the public imagination. Soon you will be applying to graduate or medical school, or for jobs as a scientist. Yet you are not always sure about Neuroscience as reported in the news. We will learn about “great experiments” that have helped move the field forward, and some famous controversies that have done the opposite. We will address cutting-edge topics that are capturing headlines now, and we will make room for topics chosen by the vote in the class. Some lectures will introduce new material, followed by activities to help us understand, evaluate, and form an opinion about these topics. These will include discussion of readings from both public news sources and scientific literature. Small group and individual exercises will aim to develop your voice to talk about science. Students will submit short written summaries of professional scientific literature and evaluations of related science for the public. A medium-length argumentative paper will give students the opportunity to develop and articulate their opinion about an example of neuroscience gone wrong. Finally, support will be provided to develop oral presentations, aimed first at science colleagues, and next to the lay public, about a neuroscience topic currently in the news. Walk into that interview, or your family holiday, with mastery over the material, a well-formed opinion, and maybe even a proposal for a solution.

Prerequisite: Students must have completed NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-27 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 390-0-28 – Brain function through the lens of computation

Understanding brain function is a grand challenge for twenty-first century science that promises revolutionary applications to medicine and artificial intelligence. Mathematical modeling can contribute valuably to this understanding by allowing scientists to formalize experimental findings and reason beyond their intuition.

Prerequisite: MATH 220-2 or higher.

NEUROSCI 390-0-29 – Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Having an upset belly? You might be suggested to eat a cup of yogurt for some probiotics! It is probably old news that gut microbiota affects the gut environment and digestion. What could be more surprising and interesting is that growing evidence has revealed the interaction between gut microbes, the immune system, and the nervous system. This communication could change the physiology of the brain and in turn moderate behaviors, neural development, and neurological diseases. This course will guide you to explore this new and still-evolving area by critically reading primary research literature. You will work together with the instructor and your classmates in a safe and supportive environment to learn about our current understanding of these topics, examine the research contributing to new findings, and propose potential studies for future discoveries.

Prerequisite: Student must have completed NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-29 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 390-0-61 – Neurotoxicology Laboratory

Have you ever wondered how common household chemicals like ethanol, caffeine, or weed killers affect development and neuronal function? Have you ever wanted to observe neural activity in a living, behaving animal? In this course, you will use larval zebrafish to study the effects of household chemicals on morphology, neural development and activity, and locomotor behaviors. You will gain practical lab experience on how to conduct studies using the scientific method, perform experiments to quantify behaviors and monitor neural activity, analyze different types of data, and improve communication skills. Come satisfy your curiosity on the connection between commonly used chemicals, neurons, and behavior.

Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-61 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 390-0-61 is limited to Neuroscience Majors with a class designation of Junior or Senior.

NEUROSCI 399-0 – Independent Study

Supervised laboratory hands on methods research with a faculty member. Neuroscience Majors only! Please follow this link for expectations of registering for this course NEUROSCI 399-0 requirements.

NUIN 486-0 – The Biology of Sleep

The Biology of Sleep will be taught by Dr. Ravi Allada. This course is complementary to NEUROSCI 324-0. This course is a literature-based seminar course that deals with genetic, physiological, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches to sleep, with particular emphasis on the role that genes play in regulating sleep. Registration for this course requires permission of the Neuroscience Director of Undergraduate Studies. May be used as a Group B elective. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 324-0

Courses Primarily for First-Year and Sophomore Students

NEUROSCI 101-6-0 – First Year Seminar

Open to first-year students in Weinberg College. This course does not satisfy major requirements in Neuroscience but does serve as a Weinberg first-year seminar.  There will be several writing assignments on a science-related topic.

NEUROSCI 101-6-21 – First Year Seminar - Insiders' Guide to the Language of Neuroscience: How to be seen, heard, and understood when communicating science

Insider’s guide to the language of neuroscience: how to be seen, heard, and understood when communicating science. Are you excited about neuroscience? Maybe you’re thinking about a career in science or medicine. Want to learn about foundational neuro research and how to communicate it? Using historical and modern examples, we’ll learn about important discoveries related to neuroscience and read both professional accounts and public reports. Knowing how to talk about science to other professionals is like learning another language, including not only jargon but patterns of argument, word choice, and social rules that help determine whether you’ll advance and be taken seriously. These rules differ in some ways from how we communicate science with the public, whether it be talking to family, making a Tik Tok, or writing a science column for the local newspaper. Course assessment will include participation in class discussions about how science is conveyed orally, in writing, and other ways, and several written assignments with feedback. There may also be a non-written assignment including oral or video presentation.

NEUROSCI 101-7-20 – First Year Seminar -This is Your Brain on College

First-Year Seminar: "This is Your Brain on College" will be taught by Luke Flores, PhD. In this WCAS first-year seminar, we will examine recent research on learning and memory through the unique lens of college life. What do we know (or think we know) about how memories are encoded in the brain? How is college a different learning environment than high school? Together, we will review scientific studies on the impact of college life on student academic performance, and correlate those findings with studies of human and animal learning in the laboratory. After taking this course, you will have a foundational understanding of the neurobiological basis of memory, learn how to read scientific literature critically, and develop strategies to improve your study habits and performance here at Northwestern University. Open to first-year students in Weinberg College. This course does not satisfy major requirements in Neuroscience but does serve as a Weinberg first-year seminar. There will be several writing assignments on a science-related topic.

Courses Primarily for Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Students

NEUROSCI 202-0 – Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Introduction to principles governing nervous system function at the cellular and molecular level. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major and have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either CHEM 132-0 or co-enrollment in CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

NEUROSCI 206-0 – Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience

This course explores current understanding of the organization and function of neural systems (visual, auditory, motor, etc.) within the mammalian nervous system. Topics will include basic neuroanatomy, sensory processing, motor control, and higher cognitive functions including memory and language. Time will be devoted to presentation of essential knowledge from each area as well as to a discussion of key experiments that have contributed to our understanding. May not receive credit for both this course and the former NEUROSCI 306-0/BIOL_SCI 306-0. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

NEUROSCI 303-0 – Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology

Advanced seminar focusing on molecular mechanisms and aberrations of synaptic signal transduction and drugs that target them. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0. 

NEUROSCI 304-0 – Developmental Neurobiology

Embryology and cellular/molecular mechanisms of nervous system development. Topics include patterning of the early nervous system, neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, writing of neural circuits, activity and experience-dependent development and sex differences in early and late development. May not receive credit for both this course and the former BIOL_SCI 304-0. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 308-0-20 – Genetics of Human Behavior

This course was formerly coded NEUROSCI 390-0-25 and CTECS will be available under that course code.

In this course we will delve into the genetic determinants of human behavior. We will discuss how "nature" (the genetic makeup) and "nurture" contribute to shape individual behavior and explore the implications of this interaction at the level of society, from philosophical and ethical aspects to medical and legal considerations.

We will often follow a historical perspective to understand how our thinking on this subject has changed with the advancement of scientific knowledge and with the evolution of what we think is acceptable in society. The class content will be strongly anchored in basic science: we will first learn concepts of both classical and modern genetics and neurogenetics (with emphasis on human genetics).  Please refer to Caesar for additional information.

This course is limited to Neuroscience Majors during preregistration but is open to all students meeting the prerequisites beginning May 28th, 2024.

NEUROSCI 311-0 – Biophysical Analysis of Neurons for ISP

This course provides an introduction to neurobiology from an electrophysiological perspective, with an emphasis on ion channel biophysics, quantitative electrical properties of neurons, synaptic physiology, and sensory transduction. Its goal is to provide a basis for understanding how information is encoded, transmitted, and decoded in brains, as well as offer an introduction to reading scientific literature. This course will  be offered during Winter 2026 and next in Winter 2028. Prerequisites: ISP Majors and Neuroscience Majors with permission of Director of Undergraduate Studies.

NEUROSCI 320-0 – Animal Behavior

Animal behavior from the neuroscience perspective. Neurobiological bases of foraging, communication, migration, predator-prey interactions, mating, and parental care. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

NEUROSCI 324-0 – Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep

General properties of sleep and circadian rhythms; how sleep and the circadian clock regulate a number of diverse activities at the cell, organ, and organism levels. The importance of biological rhythms and sleep for human health and disease will be covered in this course. May not receive credit for both this course and the former BIOL_SCI 324-0. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 325-0 – Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience

This writing-intensive and discussion-based course will draw from primary literature on the neurobiology of healthy and toxic stress, individual differences in stress susceptibility and resilience, to explore biological mechanisms by which adversity can influence health and other outcomes. Oral presentations and a final paper are required. No textbook required. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0;  or BIOL_SCI 302-0 .

NEUROSCI 325-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-22 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.  Students may not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 325-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-22.

NEUROSCI 326-0 – Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

This course examines how brain cells and neural circuits process experience to produce lasting changes in behavior. In depth discussion of original research findings, with a focus on the latest molecular, neural physiology, and behavioral studies. Taught with BIOL_SCI 326-0: may not receive credit for both courses. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 350-0 – Advanced Neurophysiology Laboratory

In this laboratory course you will perform electrophysiological experiments in which signals from living neurons (action potentials, local field potentials, post synaptic potentials) are recorded using amplifiers and data logging equipment commonly found in advanced research labs around the world. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; BIOL_SCI 302-0; and consent of instructor. 

NEUROSCI 355-0 – Neurogenetics of Behavior Laboratory

Project-based laboratory investigating the genetic basis of behavior in a simple model system; molecular genetic techniques used in neurobiology. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 360-0 – Neuroscience of Brain Disorders

Survey of brain disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, developmental disorders, narcolepsy, and migraine. Trace progress from the laboratory to the clinic, evaluate the state of knowledge and understand future directions. Strongly recommend review of basic genetics and molecular biology. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

NEUROSCI 365-0-20 – Neurobiology of Prediction

Much interest in the neuroscience centers on memory, the brain's relationship to the past. As organisms move through their lives, however, they must navigate the present moment by anticipating the future. In other words,  they must engage in prediction. Brains have many mechanisms and strategies for formulating and acting on predictions, on time scales ranging from sub-seconds to years. Indeed, it is the brain's attempts at prediction, successful and unsuccessful, that underlie many of the complex questions of interest to neuroscience and the larger society. This course will take a cellular neurophysiological approach to examining neural mechanisms of prediction - i.e., how different brain circuits operating at different times scales contribute to attributing cause and anticipating effect. This class will discuss variable identification, statistical thinking, variance, accuracy of sensations, pattern recognition, and decision circuits, with a goal of gaining perspective on some of the "big questions," including superstition, aesthetics, and humor.This course was formerly known as NEUROSCI 390-0-24. You may not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 390-0-24 and NEUROSCI 365-0-20. May be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.

NEUROSCI 365-0-20 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology. 

NEUROSCI 370-0 – Genetic and Circuit Analysis of Motivated Behavior

Critical explorations of brain structures and functions (and dysfunctions) underlying motivated behaviors to maintain homeostasis. May be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-23 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 377-0 – Neurobiology of Sensation and Perception

Analysis of the key concepts underlying the neurobiological mechanisms of vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and pain. Neural pathways leading to perception and processing of stimuli will also be discussed. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

NEUROSCI 379-0-20 – From Perception to Action

How does sensory perception guide our behavior? NEUROSCI 379-0 will examine higher level sensory processing, attention, decision making, and motor control at the level of neural systems. In addition, students will increase their familiarity with methods used to study the nervous system, including experimental techniques relevant to systems and behavioral neuroscience, the design, analysis and interpretation of experiments using those techniques and their strengths and limitations. Finally, students will expand their appreciation and understanding of ethical issues related to the brain and neuroscience research. This course is designed to build upon the basic understanding of Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience obtained in NEUROSCI 206-0, and serves as a companion to the more in-depth knowledge of sensory and perceptual processes presented in NEUROSCI 377-0. The format will include the presentation of background material, with the majority of time devoted to the review and discussion of primary literature. This course may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or as an Allied Field in Biology. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 390-0-21 and NEUROSCI 379-0-20. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.

NEUROSCI 379-0-20 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology. 

NEUROSCI 390-0-20 – Neurobiology of Homeostatic Behavior

The nervous system monitors internal states (such as body temperature, blood pressure, and nutrient and water balance) and drives behaviors to maintain homeostasis of these states, which is essential to life. This course will investigate the structure and physiology of neural circuits that orchestrate this elaborate balance, including central nervous system pathways and peripheral autonomic pathways. Students will learn to evaluate the scientific literature and communicate key research findings both in writing and through oral presentations. See description in Caesar for more information. This course may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or as an Allied Field in Biology. Prerequisites:NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-20 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 390-0-30 – Injury, Regeneration, and Recovery in the Nervous System

This new course will be taught by Dr. Yen-Chyi Liu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3 pm until 3:50 pm. From invertebrates such as hydra and planarians that have the ability to regenerate their entire body from small pieces, to vertebrates such as bony fishes and amphibians that can regenerate entire body organs and repair damage to the central nervous system, why are non-mammalian vertebrates so much better than mammals at recovering from serious bodily injury? This course will take you through the research articles that investigate this question to delve into the cellular, molecular, and neuronal mechanisms that are involved in spinal cord injury and regeneration. You will gain the skills to learn a new topic by reading primary research articles critically and dissect, organize, and compile information gained from different sources into a coherent and logical story.

Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 390-0-30 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 357-0-60 – Neuroanatomy Laboratory

Formerly known as NEUROSCI 390-0-60, this course focuses on comparative anatomy and dissection to understand the functions of brain regions by comparing their structures across the major vertebrate classes. Includes clinical anatomy and case studies to understand the functions of brain regions by drawing connections between neurological symptoms and the localization of lesions. All classes will meet in the Neuroscience Teaching Laboratory.

Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.

NEUROSCI 357-0-60 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

NEUROSCI 398-0 – Senior Thesis Seminar

Instruction in writing a scientific thesis, discussion of student projects, instruction and peer feedback of thesis drafts, and continued independent research. Open to seniors pursuing departmental honors. Requires permission from the Director fo Undergraduate Studies. Please follow this link for more information on Honors in Neuroscience.