DEPARTMENT OF NEUROBIOLOGY

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 390-0-22 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

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.

This course focuses on the overall organization of the nervous system, relating structure to function with an emphasis on dissection and vertebrate anatomy. All classes will meet in the Neuroscience Teaching Laboratory. This laboratory 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

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.