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. This course explores current understanding of the organization and function of the mammalian nervous system. Topics include basic neuroanatomy, sensation, and sensory perception, motor control, and higher cognitive functions including decision-making.  May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major, and either BIOL_SCI 217-0 or BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either; CHEM 151-0 or CHEM 171-0 with a B- 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. This course explores current understanding of the organization and function of the mammalian nervous system. Topics include basic neuroanatomy, sensation, and sensory perception, motor control, and higher cognitive functions including decision-making.  May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major, and either BIOL_SCI 217-0 or BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either; CHEM 151-0 or CHEM 171-0 with a B- or above; or CHEM 132-0 or CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.

Natural Sciences Distro Area

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

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

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

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.

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: BIOL_SCI 215-0 and or BIOL_SCI 201-0; and NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0. May not receive credit for both BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 201-0.

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

Molecular and neural bases of memory. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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

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. 

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.

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. 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 390-0-24 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

Genetics of Human Behavior will be taught by Marco Gallio, PhD. 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. Please go to Caesar for more details related to this course.

Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0

NEUROSCI 390-0-25 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.

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

Genetics of Human Behavior will be taught by Marco Gallio, PhD. 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. Please go to Caesar for more details related to this course.

Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0

NEUROSCI 390-0-25 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.

Supervised laboratory hands on methods research with a faculty member. Requires permission of the Neuroscience Director of Undergraduate Studies.  Please follow this link for expectations of registering for this course NEUROSCI 399-0 requirements.