Professors Minkoff (Biology), Kelsey (Psychology), Chair, and Nigro (Psychology); Associate Professors McCormick (Psychology) and Kleckner (Biology)

Neuroscience examines the bidirectional interrelations between the nervous system and behavior. Neuroscience takes an interdisciplinary approach that includes perspectives from biology, psychology, chemistry, and philosophy. Neuroscience majors become familiar with neurobiology, physiological psychology, and cognitive neuroscience through classroom and laboratory experiences that include a thesis.

Major requirements. The sixteen courses required to receive a B.A. in neuroscience include four core neuroscience courses (Neuroscience 200, 308, 330, and 363), which should be completed by the end of the junior year. In addition, three upper-level courses from the two elective lists below are required. All three courses may come from list A, consisting of neuroscience-related courses. Alternatively, one course from list B, consisting of background courses, may be substituted for a course from list A. Also required are Biology 201; Biology s42; Psychology 218; Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B; Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; Chemistry 217; and Chemistry 218. Some of these courses have prerequisites.

Required Thesis and Senior Seminar. At least a one-semester thesis, typically supervised by one of the three neuroscience faculty, is required of all neuroscience majors (Neuroscience 457 and/or 458). Given the difficulty of generating sufficient data in one semester, a two-semester thesis is the norm and is highly recommended, especially for those who intend to go on to graduate school. Preliminary thesis proposals are due by the end of the junior year. Seniors are also required to participate in the senior seminar in neuroscience as part of their thesis credit and to present their thesis in the form of a poster or oral presentation at the end of the winter semester.

Pass/Fail Grading Option. Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.

Courses
200. Introduction to Neuroscience. In this course, students study the structure and function of the nervous system, and how they are related to mind and behavior. Topics introduced include neuroanatomy, developmental neurobiology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuropsychiatry. The course is aimed at prospective majors and nonmajors interested in exploring a field in which biology and psychology merge, and to which many other disciplines (e.g., chemistry, philosophy, anthropology, computer science) have contributed. Required of neuroscience majors. Prerequisite(s): Psychology 101 or any 100-level biology course. This course is the same as Psychology 200. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 50. C. McCormick.

308. Neurobiology. The course is an introduction to the molecular and cellular principles of neurobiology, and the organization of neurons into networks. Also included are the topics of development and synaptic plasticity, and the role invertebrate systems have played in our understanding of these processes. Laboratories include electrical recordings of nerve cells, computer simulation and modeling, and the use of molecular techniques in neurobiology. Prerequisite(s): Biology s42. Recommended background: Neuroscience/Psychology 200. This course is the same as Biology 308. Enrollment limited to 24. N. Kleckner.

330. Cognitive Neuroscience. The human brain is a fascinating system in terms of its structure and function. The main questions addressed in this course are: How are brain structure and organization related to how people think, feel, and behave? Conversely, how are thoughts and ideas represented in the brain? Although these questions are examined from a variety of research approaches, the main one is the study of brain-damaged individuals. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200 or 363. This course is the same as Psychology 330. C. McCormick.

360. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair is required. Students may register for no more than one independent study per semester. Staff.

363. Physiological Psychology. The course is an introduction to the concepts and methods used in the study of physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Topics include an introduction to neurophysiology and neuroanatomy; an examination of sensory and motor mechanisms; and the physiological bases of ingestion, sexual behavior, reinforcement, learning, memory, and abnormal behavior. Laboratory work includes examination of neuroanatomy and development of surgical and histological skills. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200 or Biology/Neuroscience 308. This course is the same as Psychology 363. J. Kelsey.

457, 458. Senior Thesis and Seminar in Neuroscience. Independent laboratory research in neuroscience under the supervision of a faculty member. All participants also meet as a group at least once a month to discuss topics related to neuroscience and, most especially, their theses. Students register for Neuroscience 457 in the fall semester and/or for Neuroscience 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Neuroscience 457 and 458. Staff.

Short Term Unit
s41. Behavioral Neuroscience Labs. This unit is designed to complement Neuroscience/Psychology 200 Introduction to Neuroscience. Students cover some of the topics introduced in Introduction to Neuroscience in greater depth through extensive reading of the primary literature and through laboratory experiments. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Not open to students who have received credit for Neuroscience/Psychology 363. Enrollment is limited to 12. This unit is the same as Psychology s41. C. McCormick. New unit beginning Short Term 2002.

s50. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair is required. Students may register for no more than one independent study during a Short Term. Staff.

Required Courses
Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Introduction to Neuroscience.
Neuroscience/Biology 308. Neurobiology.
Neuroscience/Psychology 330. Cognitive Neuroscience.
Neuroscience/Psychology 363. Physiological Psychology.
Neuroscience 457 or 458. Senior Thesis and Seminar in Neuroscience.

Biology 201. Biological Principles (formerly 101s).
Biology s42. Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Chemistry 107A. Atomic and Molecular Structure or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B. Chemical Structure and Its Importance in the Environment.
Chemistry 108A. Chemical Reactivity or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B. Chemical Reactivity in Environmental Systems.
Chemistry 217. Organic Chemistry I.
Chemistry 218. Organic Chemistry II.

Psychology 218. Statistics and Experimental Design.

Elective Courses
Majors must take three courses from these two lists, either all three from list A or two from list A and one from list B. Students are encouraged to take these courses from three different faculty members. A student may count Biology 362 or Psychology 305 toward the major, but not both. A student may count only one of Biology 338, Biology 320, or Psychology 362 toward the major, but not both. Only one Short Term unit from list A can count toward the major.

List A: Courses Related to Neuroscience.

Biology 337. Animal Physiology.
Biology 338. Drug Actions on the Nervous System.
Biology 351. Immunology.
Biology 362. Animal Behavior.
Biology 476. Seminar and Research in Neurobiology.
Biology s44. Experimental Neuro/Physiology.

Psychology 305. Animal Learning.
Psychology 355. Behavioral Endocrinology.
Psychology 362. Psychopharmacology: How Drugs Affect Behavior.
Psychology 401. Junior-Senior Seminar in Biological Psychology.
Psychology s26. Developmental Psychobiology.
Psychology s31. Animal Models of Behavioral Disorders.

List B: Background Courses.

Biology 316. Molecular Aspects of Development.
Biology 320. Pharmacology.
Biology 331. Molecular Biology.
Biology 352. Membrane and Receptor Biology.

Chemistry 321. Biological Chemistry I.

Philosophy 211. Philosophy of Science.
Philosophy 232. Philosophy of Psychology.
Philosophy 235. Philosophy of Mind and Language.
Philosophy 236. Theory of Knowledge.
Philosophy s26. Biomedical Ethics.

Psychology 261. Research Methodology.
Psychology 301. Visual Perception.
Psychology 303. Health Psychology.
Psychology 318. Advanced Topics in Statistics.
Psychology 333. Advanced Topics in Abnormal Psychology.