Professor Kelsey (Psychology), Chair (on leave, winter semester and Short Term); Associate Professors Nigro (Psychology) and Kinsman (Biology); Assistant Professors McCormick (Psychology), Acting Chair (winter semester and Short Term) and Kleckner (Biology) (on leave, fall semester)

Neuroscience examines the bidirectional interrelations between the nervous system and behavior. As a result, neuroscience takes an interdisciplinary approach that includes perspectives from biology, psychology, chemistry, and philosophy. Neuroscience students become familiar with neurobiology, physiological psychology, and cognitive neuroscience through classroom and laboratory experiences, which 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 300-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 101s or 201; Biology s42; Psychology 218; Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B; Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; Chemistry 217; and Chemistry 218. Please note the prerequisites for these courses.

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 457-458). 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.

115. Discover Neuroscience. Neuroscience as a discipline is relatively new, but the process of scientific discovery into brain and nervous system function has taken place for centuries. In this course students explore the major discoveries and ideas that have contributed to our current understanding of the nervous system. Topics may include, but are not limited to, Galen's philosophy of brain function, the contributions of women to discovery in neuroscience, comparisons of early techniques for visualizing brain tissue with modern non-invasive imaging techniques (such as PET scans), and the future of discovery in neuroscience. Open to first-year students. Not open to students who have received credit for First-Year Seminar 215. Enrollment is limited to 40. This course is the same as Biology 115. N. Kleckner

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. 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. Recommended background: Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Prerequisite(s): Biology s42. This course is the same as Biology 308. Enrollment limited to 24. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology 278. 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. Not open to students who have received credit for Psychology 230. C. McCormick.

360. Independent Study. Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. A detailed written paper is required at the end of each semester of work. Proposals for independent study must be approved by the faculty supervisor and the program chair prior to registration. Students are limited to 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.

401A. Biological Psychology. This course considers the neurological mechanisms of three important mental functions: memory, emotion, and reproductive behavior. Students are expected to investigate and report current research on the biological and psychological workings of each function. Among topics for discussion are the cellular mechanisms of learning, neuroanatomy of memory and emotion, organic dysfunction and the biological basis of psychopathology, hormonal control of sexual behavior, and the neurobiology of maternal behavior. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: Biology 338, 308, Psychology 363, or 330. Enrollment is limited to 15. This course is the same as Psychology 401A. H. Morgan

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 for Neuroscience 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Neuroscience 457 and 458. Staff.

Short Term Units

s26. Developmental Psychobiology. Seminar and research in developmental psychobiology. Laboratory and/or library study of current topics in developmental psychobiology. How do signals from the prenatal and postnatal environment interact with genetic signals to shape the development of brain structure and function? Laboratories involve research projects in the field of developmental psychobiology and the use of developmental neuroscience techniques. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: Neuroscience/Psychology 200, 363, Psychology 240, or Biology/Neuroscience 308. This unit is the same as Psychology s26. Enrollment limited to 12. C. McCormick.

s31. Animal Models of Behavioral Disorders. The unit examines how we can understand and develop treatments for human behavioral and neurological disorders by developing animal models of these disorders. Emphasis is on laboratory development and examination of environmental and physiological (particularly neurochemical) determinants of these behavioral disorders in animals. Possible topics are schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, addiction, obesity, ulcers, ADD, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s chorea. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200. This unit is the same as Psychology s31. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 10. Written permission of the instructor is required. J. Kelsey.

s50. Individual Research. Registration in this unit is granted by the program only after the student has submitted a written proposal for a full-time research project to be completed during the Short Term and has secured the sponsorship of a member of the program to direct the study and evaluate results. Students are limited to one individual research unit. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Open to first-year students. 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, 458. Senior Thesis and Seminar in Neuroscience.

Biology 101s or 201. Biological Principles.
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. Note: A student may count Psychology 345 or Neuroscience/Psychology s26 toward the major, but not both. A student may count Biology 338 or Biology 320 toward the major, but not both.

List A: Courses Related to Neuroscience.

Biology 337. Animal Physiology.
Biology 338. Drug Actions on the Nervous System.
Biology 351. Immunology.
Biology 476. Seminar and Research in Neurobiology.

Neuroscience/Psychology s26. Developmental Psychobiology.

Psychology 305. Animal Learning.
Psychology 345. The Environment and the Developing Brain.
Psychology 355. Behavioral Endocrinology.
Psychology 401. Junior-Senior Seminar in Biological Psychology.

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.

Neuroscience/Psychology s31. Animal Models of Behavioral Disorders.

Philosophy 211. Philosophy of Science.
Philosophy 235. Philosophy of Mind and Language.
Philosophy 236. Theory of Knowledge.

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.

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