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 the 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. 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 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 topics course does not satisfy the natural sciences diversification. No prerequisites.

Instructors: Staff

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 212 Neuroscience

Credit: 0.5

This course begins with a definition of neuroscience as an interdisciplinary field, int he 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 senosry, motor, motivational, emotional, and cognitive processes. The neurological and biochemical bases of various brain and behavioral disorders are also examined. Prerequisites: BIOL 115 or BIOL 116 or CHEM 121 or CHEM 122 or (AP score of 5 in BIOL or CHEM).

NEUR 302 Comparative Psychology

Credit: 0.5

Comparative psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes of organisms, including humans. Until Darwin published his theory of evolution, it was commonly accepted that a huge gulf exists between human and nonhuman animals. In this course we will examine human and animal behavior and mental activity from an evolutionary perspective, that is, from a perspective in which humans are part of the continuum of life forms that inhabit the planet. We will consider the notion that, in contrast to the usual anthropocentric view of behavior and mental processes, many of the same evolutionary and ecological principles explain both human and animal behavior. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or NEUR 112/212 or PSYC 100 and PSYC 150. This course is offered at least every other year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: Niemiec

NEUR 304 Neuropsychology

Credit: 0.5

This course is designed to facilitate our learning about the connections and interactions between neuroanatomy, brain function, and psychological phenomena. We do this by studying neuropsychological disorders, as well as the basic psychological processes such as perceptions and memory. Through readings, discussions, and class presentations, we will learn some of the basic principles of the brain's organization and function, as well as its ability to recover function after damage. In addition, we will learn about the nature, causes, and treatment of specific neuropsychological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, closed head injuries, Tourette's syndrome, and stroke-induced aphasia. Further, we will learn about neuropsychological assessment and the current level of research and discovery in the neruopsychology of specific disorders through student presentations. Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or PSYC 101or NEUR 112/212. This course is offered at least every other year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: McFarlane

NEUR 305 Physiological Psychology

Credit: 0.5

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the physiological phenomena responsible for psychological experiences. The main focus of the course is a detailed study of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. This is then followed by a study of the sensory and self-regulatory systems and, a study of higher cognitive processing. With each new topic, the relevant anatomical and physiological systems will be discussed as they relate to the behavior under scrutiny. Thus the biological underpinnings of vision, mood, learning,memory, motivation, and other topics will be studied. Prerequisite: PSYC 100, PSYC 101, or NEUR 112/212. This course is typically offered every year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: McFarlane

NEUR 307 Sensation and Perception

Credit: 0.5

This course focuses on the ways in which the brain gathers, processes, and interprets information from the external environment in order to construct an internal representation that the organism perceives to be "reality." The goal is to provide students with an understanding of the evolution, structure, and function of various sensory systems as well as an understanding of how the brain interprets incoming sensations and turns them into perceptions that allow organisms to act on their environment. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or NEUR 112 or PSYC 100 and PSYC 150. This course is typically offered every year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: Niemiec

NEUR 347 Psychopharmacology

Credit: 0.5

The emphasis of this course is on the biological mechanisms of the actions and effects of both legal and illegal psychoactive drugs. The course begins with a brief discussion of the history of psychopharmacology, followed by an in-depth examination of the biological basis of drug action in the brain. This is followed by a discussion of the basis of drug classification. Specific drugs are discussed. These include illicit drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin as well as legal psychoactive drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. The course ends with a discussion of the action of drugs used in the treatment of mental disorders such as schizophrenia (antipsychotics) and depression (antidepressants). Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 100 or NEUR 112. Recommended but not required: PSYC/NEUR 305. Offered as our schedule permits. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: McFarlane

NEUR 385 Research in Neuroscience

Credit: 0.25

This combined discussion and laboratory course aims to develop abilities for asking sound research questions, designing reasonable scientific approaches to answer such questions, and performing experiments to test both the design and the question. We consider how to assess difficulties and limitations in experimental strategies due to design, equipment, system selected, and so on. The course provides a detailed understanding of selected modern research equipment. Students select their own research problems in consultation with one or more neuroscience faculty members. This course is designed both for those who plan to undertake honors research in their senior year and for those who are not doing honors but who want some practical research experience. A student can begin the research in either semester. If a year of credit is earned, it may be applied toward the Research Methods course requirement for the major in neuroscience. Prerequisites: BIOL 109Y-110Y and NEUR 212, and permission of instructor.

NEUR 401 Research Methods: Biopsychology

Credit: 0.5 QR

This methods course teaches students the skills necessary for conducting research in biopsychology and neuroscience. It will give students first-hand experience with a number of concepts and measurement techniques as well as an understanding of the ways in which biopsychologists investigate the brain and its relationship to behavior. Students will learn to design experiments; collect, analyze, and present data using computer software packages; and write a scientific paper. Prerequisites: NEUR 112/212 or PSYC 200 as well as permission of the instructor. Offered as our schedule permits. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: Niemiec

NEUR 405 Research Methods in Physiological Psychology

Credit: 0.5 QR

This is a laboratory methods course that focuses on research methods used in physiological psychology and behavioral neuroscience. The emphasis of the course will be on designing, conducting, and presenting research, as well as on mastering specific laboratory techniques. The primary goal is to examine the relationships between brain chemistry and behavior. To this end, students will engage in the designing and implementation of projects that examine these relationships using animal subjects. The course will also focus on data analysis and experimental design. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 100 and one of the following: PSYC/NEUR 347, PSYC/NEUR 305, or NEUR 112/212. This course is typically offered every other year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: McFarlane

NEUR 406 Research Methods in Sensation and Perception

Credit: 0.5 QR

This methods course teaches students the skills necessary for conducting research in sensation and perception. It will give students first-hand experience with a number of concepts and measurement techniques as well as an understanding of the ways in which sensory psychologists investigate how the brain gathers, processes, and interprets information from the external environment in order to construct an internal representation of reality. Students will learn to design experiments; collect, analyze, and present data using computer software packages; and write a scientific paper. Prerequisites: NEUR 112 or PSYC 200 and previous or concurrent enrollment in either PSYC 301, PSYC 305, or PSYC 307 as well as permission of the instructor. This course is typically offered every other year. This course is crosslisted with Psychology for diversification purposes.

Instructor: Niemiec

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: 0.25-0.5

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