NEUROSCI 101-6-20 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.
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.
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 have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either CHEM 132-0 or co-enrollment in CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.
NEUROSCI 206-0-20 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.
NEUROSCI 206-0-21 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.
NEUROSCI 303-0-20 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.
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.
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 February 22, 2023.
NEUROSCI 308-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-25 may be used as a Group B elective or an Allied Field in Biology. A student may not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 308-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-25.
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 324-0-20 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 325-0-20 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 326-0-20 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.
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 355-0-60 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.
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.
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.
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 370-0-20 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 377-0-20 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.
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.
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.
2022-2023 COURSE NEWS!
NEUROSCI 202-0 will be offered during Fall 2023 and Winter 2024. Open to declared Neuroscience Majors only!
NEUROSCI 311-0 will NOT be offered during Winter 2023. Next offering will be Winter 2024! Available to ISP Majors and Neuroscience Majors with consent of Director of Undergraduate Studies in Neurobiology. For consent, please email neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu.
Looking for Group B electives for spring 2023 term? NEUROSCI 390-0 courses have new designations! Look to course descriptions for information on specific courses taught by Dr. Marco Gallio.
To declare a Neuroscience Major, please request an appointment through neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu. Please be sure to list your availability!
