Course Catalog
Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
NEUROSCI 202-0-21 – 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 BIOL_SCI 217-0 or BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either; CHEM 151-0 or CHEM 171-0 with a B- grade or above; or CHEM 132-0 or CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.
Natural Sciences Distro Area
NEUROSCI 206-0 – Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
Introduction to the organization and function of brain systems and their role in generating behavior. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 303-0 – Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology
This advanced seminar course focuses 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.
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, wiring of neural circuits, activity and experience-dependent development and sex differences in early and late development. Prerequisites: BIOL SCI 215-0 and one of the following: NEUROSCI 202-0, NEUROSCI 311-0, or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 311-0 – Biophysical Analysis of Neurons for ISP (Not a Group B Elective)
Neuronal ion channels, membrane properties, synaptic transmission, and transduction. Prerequisite: ISP Majors Only or Neuroscience Major with permission of the Neuroscience 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.
NEUROSCI 324-0 – Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep
This course will examine the general properties of sleep and circadian rhythms and will analyze how sleep and the circadian clock regulate a number of diverse activities at the level of the cell, the organ, as well as the organism. May not receive credit for both this course and the former BIOL_SCI 324-0. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0.
NEUROSCI 326-0 – Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Molecular and neural bases of memory. Taught with BIOL_SCI 326-0. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 326-0 and the former BIOL_SCI 326-0. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0. This class is available to Neuroscience Majors or Biology Majors only.
NEUROSCI 350-0 – Advanced Neurophysiology Laboratory
Learn to record electrophysiological signals (action potentials and post synaptic potentials) from living neural systems using amplifiers and recording equipment commonly found in research labs around the world. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or 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; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 360-0 – Neuroscience of Brain Disorders
Survey of brain disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, addiction and traumatic brain injury. Trace progress from the laboratory to the clinic, evaluate the state of knowledge and understand future directions. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; NEUROSCI 311-0 AND NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0. Recommend review of basic genetics and molecular 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. The neural pathways leading to perception and processing of stimuli will also be discussed. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 390-0 – Topics in Neuroscience
Topics to be announced. Prerequisites vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic. With approval of the director of undergraduate studies, may be used to fulfill a Neuroscience Group B elective or serve as an Allied Field course. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and other specific prerequisites as set by instructors.
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 also 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. Prerequisites: Students are required to have completed both 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 390-0-21 – From Perception to Action
How does sensory perception guide our behavior? This course will investigate how the brain processes sensory input to guide voluntary movement. The course will examine higher level sensory processing, attention, decision making, and motor control at the level of neural systems. NEUROSCI 390-01 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 390-0-22 – Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience
This section of NEUROSCI 390 will be taught by Professor Catherine Woolley. Description of the course will be available soon. It may be used to fulfill a Neuroscience Group B elective or serve as an Allied Field course. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.
NEUROSCI 398-0 – Senior Thesis Seminar
Instruction in writing a scientific thesis, discussion of student projects, instruction and peer feedback on thesis drafts, and continued independent research. Open to seniors pursuing departmental honors. Requires permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Requires permission of the Neuroscience Director of Undergraduate Studies.