NEUR 105 Topics in Neuroscience

Credit: 0.5

This introductory course will explore a range of topics and issues in the study of neuroscience. Specifically, the course will focus on the relationship between neuroscience, the arts and humanities. The course will treat the humanities and sciences as partners working together on the same problems. Usually, three topics are covered per semester. Examples of topics covered include: the neuroscience of emotions, play behavior, film, visual and artistic perspective, space, time. Other topics may be covered. Assignments will include weekly quizzes, class discussion, and a thesis paper. Prerequisite: None. NEUR 105 is a non-majors introductory course geared towards first and second year students, although others may take it. Anyone who plans to major or concentrate in Neuroscience will need to take Introduction to Neuroscience (NEUR 112). NEUR 105 can be paired with NEUR 112 (Introduction to Neuroscience), BIOL 103 (Biology in Science Fiction) or BIOL 105 (Biology of Exercise) in order to satisfy the Natural Science distribution requirement. This course is repeatable for credit. However, this course taken twice or with a NEUR special topic does not satisfy the natural sciences diversification.

Instructors: McFarlane,Richeimer

NEUR 112 Introduction to Neuroscience

Credit: 0.5

This course begins with a definition of neuroscience as an interdisciplinary field, in the context of the philosophy of science. Consistent with this view, a number of faculty members from various departments are responsible for giving lectures and leading discussions throughout the semester. After covering the basics of cellular neurophysiology, the course examines the development and organization of the human nervous system in terms of sensory, motor, motivational, emotional, and cognitive processes. The neurological and biochemical bases of various brain and behavioral disorders are also examined. This course can be used as a substitute for the PSYC 101 prerequisite for all advanced-level psychology courses listed for the neuroscience concentration. However, this course does not count towards Natural Sciences diversification. No prerequisites.

Instructor: Niemiec, Staff

NEUR 471 Topics in Neuroscience

Credit: 0.5

This capstone seminar is required of all students who plan to graduate with a neuroscience concentration or major. The seminar is intended to bring together the knowledge acquired from courses required for, or relevant to, the concentration and major. During the course of the semester, each student will submit a critique of a published article and write a research proposal with the assistance of the instructor. Oral presentations are given in conjunction with each of these exercises. This seminar is limited to juniors or seniors who have taken NEUR 112 and completed two of the three required basic science courses for the concentration.

NEUR 493 Individual Study

Credit: 0.5

Students conduct independent research under the supervision of one of the faculty members affiliated with the Neuroscience Program. This course is restricted to juniors or seniors who are neuroscience majors or have taken (or are concurrently enrolled in) courses required for the neuroscience concentration. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and neuroscience director, along with demonstrated special interest.

NEUR 497Y Senior Honors

Credit: 0.5

This program for senior honors students culminates in the completion of a senior honors research project. The research is expected to be on a topic of particular relevance to the student's postgraduate plans. Students must select a research advisor from the faculty members in the Neuroscience Program. They are expected to have done a thorough bibliographic search of the literature, written a short review paper, and formulated some tentative hypotheses during the spring semester of their junior year. Prerequisites: The student must have a 3.33 overall GPA, a 3.5 GPA in the neuroscience core courses, and have completed at least 5 units toward the major. Permission must be granted by the director of the Neuroscience Program.

NEUR 498Y Senior Honors

Credit: 0.5

See course description for NEUR 497Y.

Instructor: Staff