NS&B149 Neuroethology: Sensory Basis of Animal Orientation and Navigation

This course is about the sensory and neuronal processes underlying the ability of animals to orient in and move through their environments. We will consider the basic functions of sensory and nervous systems that underlie the remarkable abilities of animals to orient themselves in personal space, move through their home range, and move through the world in long-distance migrations and in homing. Animals from invertebrates through fish, birds, and mammals will be considered. The format of the course will be seminar/discussion and some lectures with heavy student participation. The course is intended for first-year students with high school-level courses in at least two of the following: biology, chemistry, or physics.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL149
Prereq: None

NS&B193 Principles of Biology I Laboratory (Online)

This laboratory course, to be taken concurrently with MB&B181 or BIOL181, provides experience with techniques used in cell biology and molecular biology. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), electrophoresis, enzyme assays, and spectrophotometry.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.25
Gen Ed Area: NSM-MBB
Identical With: MB&B193, BIOL193
Prereq: None

NS&B198 Principles of Biology II Laboratory _ Online

This laboratory course, designed to be taken concurrently with BIOL182 or MB&B182, will introduce students to experimental design, laboratory methods, data analysis, and empirical approaches to developmental biology, physiology, ecology, and evolution. Laboratory exercises use the techniques of electrophysiology, microscopy, computer simulations, and analyses of DNA sequence data. Some exercises will include exploration of physiological processes in living animals.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.25
Gen Ed Area: None
Identical With: BIOL198, MB&B198
Prereq: BIOL192

NS&B210 Research Methods in Cognition

This course will examine the experimental method as a means of gaining knowledge about human cognition. Students in this course will learn about general research methods in cognitive psychology related to experimental design, understanding and interpreting research, and ethical issues involved in research with human subjects. Classic research paradigms in cognitive psychology will be explored through the use of interactive demonstrations and in-class experiments.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: SBS-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC210
Prereq: (PSYC105 AND PSYC200) OR (PSYC105 AND ECON300) OR (PSYC105 AND QAC201) OR (PSYC105 AND MATH132)

NS&B213 Behavioral Neurobiology

This course will introduce the concepts and contemporary research in the field of neuroscience and behavior. The course is intended for prospective neuroscience and behavior majors (for whom it is required) and for biology and psychology majors who wish a broad introduction to neuroscience. The initial few weeks will be devoted to fundamental concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Subsequent classes will deal in-depth with fundamental problems of nervous system function and the neural basis of behavior, including neurotransmitter systems; organization of the visual system and visual perception; the control of movement; neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders; the neuroendocrine system; control of autonomic behaviors such as feeding, sleep, and temperature regulation; the stress response; and language, learning, and memory. Experimental results from a variety of species, including humans, will be considered. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL213, PSYC240
Prereq: None

NS&B220 Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology, a major branch in the field of psychology, is the scientific study of human adult mental processes. The goal of this course is to provide a broad introduction to the issues, methods, and phenomena that characterize the field. These will be brought to life with selected examples of influential empirical studies and, occasionally, practical applications. In seeking constraints on theories of how the mind works, we will draw primarily on studies of adult human behavior (e.g., reaction time, task accuracy), individuals with localized brain damage (e.g., visual agnosia), and measures of brain activity (e.g., as inferred using fMRI techniques). Computer models and nonhuman animal studies will also be considered. Broad topics will include attention, perception, memory, knowledge, reasoning, and decision making. The course is lecture-based but will incorporate discussions, demonstrations, video, and group activities. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC220
Prereq: PSYC105

NS&B222 Sensation and Perception

This course explores our perceptual systems and how they create and shape our experience of the world around us. We will consider the neurophysiology of perceptual systems as well as psychological approaches to the study of perception, covering all of the human senses with a special emphasis on vision. Class demonstrations will introduce students to interesting perceptual phenomena. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC222
Prereq: PSYC105 OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B224 Hormones, Brain, and Behavior

Hormones coordinate the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral changes necessary for developmental, seasonal, and diurnal transition in animals. These molecules have profound effects on the development of the brain and on adult brain function. How do hormones orchestrate brain assembly and the expression of specific behaviors? How do behavior, social context, and the environment influence hormone secretion? This course will provide a critical survey of our understanding of the relationship between endocrinology, the brain, and behavior in a variety of animal systems. Select topics include insect metamorphosis; sexual differentiation of the vertebrate brain and behavior; reproductive and aggressive behavior in birds, lizards, and rodents; song learning and song production in birds; and the effects of hormones on sexual behavior and cognitive function in primates, including humans. The exploration of a variety of systems will provide students with an appreciation of the ways in which the relationships between hormones and behavior vary across species, as well as the extent to which these relationships are conserved.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL224
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] OR [BIOL182 or MB&B182]

NS&B225 Cognitive Neuroscience

This course provides an introduction to cognitive neuroscience -- the study of how the brain enables the mind. We will begin with an overview of the neural substrates of cognition and the tools for understanding the structure and function of the human brain. Then we will cover neural processes that support sensory perception and attention, memory, motor control, language, executive control, and emotional and social functioning. We will also discuss mechanisms of brain evolution, development, and repair, and their implications for various diseases and disorders. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC225
Prereq: PSYC105 OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B227 Motivation and Reward

This course will focus on motivation and reward, providing students with a background in and understanding of the various theories and approaches to studying the topic of motivation, including an introduction to some of the history and the current advances in the field. The course uses animal and human research to try to unravel the brain areas and neurotransmitter systems involved in different forms of reward, including food, sex, and drugs, and examine cases of disordered motivation such as drug addiction, obesity, and disordered gambling. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: PSYC227
Prereq: PSYC105 OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B228 Clinical Neuropsychology

This introductory course will examine the relationship between brain functioning and cognition, behavior, and emotion through the study of human brain disorders. The course will begin with a brief overview of basic human regional neuroanatomy, followed by an exploration of neuropsychological assessment and intervention (its history, rationale, goals, and procedures). These topics will provide a foundation for the discussion of more specific topics in neuropsychology (e.g., traumatic brain injury, dementia, psychiatric disorders, cerebrovascular disorders, seizure disorders, learning disabilities, autism) and the role that neuropsychologists play in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with these disorders. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC228
Prereq: PSYC105 OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B238 Psychological Theories of Learning and Motivation

The goals of this course are to help students develop practical, evidence-based skills for effective classroom learning, understand and appreciate research on the neuroscience of learning and motivation across species, and apply theories of learning and motivation to understanding human behavior. Course objectives for achieving these goals include: implementing evidence-based practices; dispelling myths about learning; explaining mechanisms of memory consolidation and factors that modulate it; distinguishing between and identifying components of operant and classical conditioning; and explaining how each theory of motivation can be used to understand why people behave in certain ways. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC226
Prereq: PSYC105 OR NS&B213

NS&B239 Functional Anatomy of the Human Brain

The human brain is an organ with the consistency of firm Jell-O, weighing about 2.5 pounds in an adult. It is made of 86 billion neurons and approximately the same number of non-neuronal cells. Contrary to common misconceptions, we use all the neurons in our brains, not just a small fraction of them from the regions dedicated to the function being performed. Brain cells organize in distinctive anatomical structures, which are interconnected through complex circuits that control nearly every function of the body, such as learning and memory, thinking, consciousness, and aesthetic appreciation. Its malfunction results in a variety of diseases, including senility, mood disorders, and motor/sensory dysfunctions. This course will examine in some detail the complex organization of the brain and how it performs some of its basic functions. The course will familiarize students with the medical terminology and neurological concepts for a general understanding of the human brain and spinal cord, being of special interest for pre-med students, NS&B, biology, and psychology majors; and anyone simply interested in how the brain works. This course counts as an elective or column 1 breadth course towards the psychology major.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL239, PSYC239
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B243 Neurohistology

The aim of this course is to study the microscopic structure of the nervous system. Structural and functional relationships between neurons and glia, as well as the organization of major brain regions (cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum) will be examined. In addition to traditional histological preparations, modern techniques including confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry will be studied and performed. Laboratory exercises will include the preparation and visualization of microscopic slides using a variety of techniques. While this course will focus on mammalian nervous system, skills learned in this course will be applicable in a variety of research models.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL243
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] OR [MB&B181 or BIOL181]

NS&B244 Neuropharmacology

This course will introduce students to the physiological and molecular effects of drugs on neuronal activity and behavior. We will cover key concepts in neuropharmacology, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, alongside techniques used in modern pharmacotherapeutic discovery as it relates to the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disease. Student assessment will include in-class quizzes and exams.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL244, BIOL544
Prereq: BIOL182 OR BIOL182Z AND NS&B213

NS&B245 Cellular Neurophysiology

This neurophysiology course is mostly a study of how neurons send, receive, and integrate the signals that produce nervous system activity. Using the tools of electrophysiology (the electrical recording and manipulation of neurons), we can better understand synaptic plasticity, neuronal oscillations, and network activity. In the last module of the course, students will use their knowledge of a diversity of voltage-gated channels, neurotransmitter systems, and neuron categories to better understand the neurophysiology of epileptic seizures and sensorimotor systems and locomotion. We will also examine articles about human-machine interfaces that are being developed in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy as well for the restoration of motor activity and somatosensation.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL245, BIOL599
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B247 Laboratory in Neurophysiology

The course is designed to teach techniques and offer independent research experience. Students study living nervous systems and measure the electrical signals at the heart of nervous system function. In the first part, experiments include intracellular recordings of rest and action potentials, synaptic transmission, sensory coding and integration in simple nervous systems. Students learn surgical and electrophysiological recording techniques working with invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate animals including crayfish, mollusks (Aplysia), leeches, fish, and amphibians. In the second part of the course, students will use these techniques in novel, independent research projects.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL247
Prereq: ([NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] AND [BIOL182 or MB&B182])

NS&B250 Laboratory in Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology

The goals of the course are to introduce students to a number of contemporary laboratory techniques in neuroscience and behavior. The laboratory introduces students to experimental method and techniques including neuroanatomy, immunohistochemistry, primary neuronal and astrocyte cell culture methods, analyses of electrical activity in the brain, and behavioral analyses of learning, memory, social behavior, and social dominance in inbred strains of mice.



Students will learn to analyze experimental data and write a series of laboratory reports on the experiments done during class. In addition, students will write a term paper related to one of the experimental approaches.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL250, NS&B555
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B251 Laboratory in Basic Practices in Neuroscience

This course will provide students with the knowledge and some tools to solve problems in neurobiology. Topics covered include a fundamental review of neurobiology and approaches in neuroscience research methods, behavioral studies, tissue/cell preparation, and histology/microscopy.

Students will learn how the applications of advanced neuroscience techniques have answered fundamental questions in neurobiology and neurophysiology. Modern approaches and their applications will be discussed, including behavioral studies, tissue preparation and analysis, histology, and microscopy.

The learning outcomes will be assessed by a project, oral presentation of the project, written laboratory class reports (lab notebooks), and a lab practicum.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL251
Prereq: NS&B213 OR BIOL213 OR PSYC240

NS&B252 Cell Biology of the Neuron

Understanding the cellular biology of neurons is critical for understanding neurological disorders as well as neuropharmacological methods for treating the nervous system. In this course, we will explore how neurons function, focusing on structure-function relationships of the molecular building blocks of neurons. We will examine the basic cell biological mechanisms that underlie the formation, function, and plasticity of neurons and circuits. Areas studied will include cytoskeleton, cellular polarity, synapse formation, synaptic transmission, inter- and intra-cellular transport, neuronal plasticity, and regeneration. This course is designed to follow on from NS&B213 Behavioral Neurobiology.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL252
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B254 Comparative Animal Behavior

In this survey course, we explore a wide range of animal behaviors at the proximate and ultimate levels of analysis. Main topics include: the principles of communication, genetic regulation of behavior, neuroethology, biological rhythms, hormones and behavior, reproduction, and animal cognition. Students gain foundational knowledge by engaging with textbook readings and traditional lectures. Students practice self-directed inquiry, peer-assisted learning, and scientific communication through in-class work sheets, group discussions, take-home assignments, and presenting topics of their choosing. Finally, students will learn about research and the academic career path through scholar highlights, interacting with guest speakers, and reading primary literature.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL254
Prereq: [BIOL182 or MB&B182] OR [BIOL196 or MBB196] OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240] OR BIOL182Z

NS&B257 Neurogenetics

Genes are the basic functional units of heredity. This course is an introduction to the study of genes and their role in shaping neuronal structure, neuronal function, and behavior. We will learn about classic and modern approaches used to probe the relationship between genes and behavior, with a focus on studies using model organisms (e.g., flies, mice, worms). We will discuss the molecular genetics of neurological disorders with high heritability and the use of genetic tools to treat these conditions, and we will consider the ethics surrounding treatment and diagnosis of these disorders. Student assessment will include short written responses, in-class quizzes, and exams.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: None
Identical With: BIOL257
Prereq: BIOL181 AND BIOL182

NS&B280 Applied Data Analysis

In this project-based course, you will have the opportunity to answer questions that you feel passionately about through independent research based on existing data. You will develop skills in generating testable hypotheses, conducting a literature review, preparing data for analysis, conducting descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, and presenting research findings. The course offers one-on-one support, ample opportunities to work with other students, and training in the skills required to complete a project of your own design. These skills will prepare you to work in many different research labs across the University that collect empirical data. It is also an opportunity to fulfill an important requirement in several different majors.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-QAC, SBS-QAC
Identical With: QAC201, GOVT201, PSYC280
Prereq: None

NS&B280Z Applied Data Analysis

In this project-based course, you will have the opportunity to answer questions that you feel passionately about through independent research based on existing data. You will develop skills in generating testable hypotheses, conducting a literature review, preparing data for analysis, conducting descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, and presenting research findings. The course offers one-on-one support, ample opportunities to work with other students, and training in the skills required to complete a project of your own design. These skills will prepare you to work in many different research labs across the University that collect empirical data. It is also an opportunity to fulfill an important requirement in several different majors.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-QAC, SBS-QAC
Identical With: QAC201Z, GOVT201Z, PSYC280Z
Prereq: None

NS&B299 Waves, Brains, and Music

Pressure waves bounce against the ear, and we create perceptions called sounds from them. We organize sounds to make music, making more waves, and the cycle goes forward. This course will provide an introduction to the fraction of these phenomena that can be measured and analyzed, focusing on the mathematics of signal analysis, auditory physiology, and the physiology of musical perception and production. Periodic waveforms include musical tones and the voltage fluctuations that can be measured from brains. The first third of this course (waves) is an introduction to the quantitative analysis of periodic waveforms, with the goal that the student will have a better understanding of how to interpret the analysis of both musical sounds and neuronal recordings. The second part of the course (brains) examines the known mechanical processes (physiology) by which the mammalian brain analyzes the periodic waveforms that we interpret as sound. The third part of the course uses these lessons to examine original research articles about the neuroscience of music, that is, how neuronal networks produce musical perception.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL299
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B302 Neurobiology of Aging

This course is designed to explore the intricate relationship between the aging process and the nervous system. As our population ages, understanding the underlying neurobiology of aging becomes increasingly important. This course delves into the physiological, cellular, and molecular aspects of how the nervous system changes over time and the impact of these changes on cognition, behavior, and overall well-being.

This course will introduce the student to the study of aging (gerontology) and the effects of normal aging and pathological aging on the nervous system. We will discuss general concepts of aging, and biochemical, physiological, and behavioral age-associated changes in the motor, sensory, cognitive, and neuroendocrine systems. By the end of the course, the student should have a clear understanding of what aging is and what effects it has on normal brain function. In class, I will introduce the topic with slide presentation and after that, we will discuss the topic based on the scientific article discussion. After the last class, students will have extensive opportunities for feedback and will write a project and present it in class as an oral presentation. Student evaluation will include weekly quizzes, project, a midterm and final exams, and class participation/attendance.





Course Objectives:



By the end of this course, students will:



1. Gain a Comprehensive Understanding: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological processes associated with aging, including neurodegenerative diseases.

2. Explore Structural Changes: Examine structural changes in the aging brain, such as alterations in neuron density, synapse formation, and brain volume.

3. Analyze Functional Changes: Analyze functional changes in the aging nervous system, including changes in memory, cognition, sensory perception, and motor function.

4. Study Neurodegenerative Diseases: Investigate common neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and age-related macular degeneration.

5. Explore Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms: Explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying age-related changes in the nervous system, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and genetic factors.

6. Examine Potential Interventions: Review potential interventions and strategies to promote healthy aging and delay or mitigate age-related neurobiological changes.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL302
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B302Z Neurobiology of Aging

This course is designed to explore the intricate relationship between the aging process and the nervous system. As our population ages, understanding the underlying neurobiology of aging becomes increasingly important. This course delves into the physiological, cellular, and molecular aspects of how the nervous system changes over time and the impact of these changes on cognition, behavior, and overall well-being.



This course will introduce the student to studying aging (gerontology) and the effects of normal aging and pathological aging on the nervous system. We will discuss general concepts of aging, and biochemical, physiological, and behavioral age-associated changes in the motor, sensory, cognitive, and neuroendocrine systems. By the end of the course, the student should clearly understand what aging is and its effects on normal brain function. In class, I will introduce the topic with slides presentation and after that, we will discuss the topic based on the scientific article discussion. After the classes, students will have extensive opportunities for feedback and will be requested to write a project for the last, oral presentation of the project in the class, and a final exam.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL302Z
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B303 Receptors, Channels, and Pumps: Advanced Topics in Membrane Protein Structure and Function

Membrane proteins constitute one-third of all cellular proteins and one-half of current drug targets, but our understanding of their structure and function has been limited in the past by technological obstacles. In spite of this, the past 10 years have yielded a wealth of new membrane protein structures that have helped to uncover the mechanistic underpinnings of many important cellular processes. This class will examine some of the new insights gained through the various techniques of modern structural biology. We will start with a general review of membrane properties, structural techniques (e.g., x-ray crystallography, EM, NMR), and protein structure analysis. We will then look at common structural motifs and functional concepts illustrated by different classes of membrane proteins. Students will read primary literature sources and learn how to gauge the quality and limitations of published membrane protein structures. These tools will be generally applicable to evaluating soluble protein structures as well.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-MBB
Identical With: MB&B303, MB&B523
Prereq: (CHEM251 AND CHEM252 AND [MB&B208 or BIOL208])

NS&B304 Glia: Not just neuronal glue!

Historically, neuroglial cells (i.e., astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) were considered the space-filling cells of the brain, simply the brain's "glue." Later, their primary role was considered metabolic support of neurons (e.g., buffer extracellular potassium, recycle neurotransmitters, myelination, etc.). However, the notion of glia as inert bystanders has recently been revised. It is now accepted that glial cells play critical physiological roles in normal nervous system development and function, including controlling brain wiring, modulation of synaptic transmission, regulating blood flow, and serving as the brain's lymphatic system just to name a few functions. Moreover, glia contributes to a variety of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, glioma, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Hence, these underappreciated cells are long overdue recognition. This is an interdisciplinary course in which students will engage in a focused, in-depth exploration of how glial cells contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders. Lectures by both basic scientists and clinicians will highlight recent research on the molecular mechanisms by which glial cells contribute to the establishment and progression of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

This is a reading-intensive seminar course emphasizing classroom discussions, with readings from a textbook and the primary scientific literature. After the classes, students will have extensive opportunities for feedback and will be requested to write a simple paragraph for the next class and/or answer a small quiz, based on the new knowledge acquired. Student evaluation will include quizzes and assessments for a lay audience, a midterm and a final exam, class participation, and attendance.



Course Objectives:

1. Describe the development, histology, and normal physiological function of glial cells.

2. Describe the role inflammation plays in neurological and psychiatric conditions.

3. Describe the role traumatic brain injury plays in neurological and psychiatric conditions.

4. Describe the role genetics plays in neurological and psychiatric conditions.

5. Describe the physiology, pathology, and disease mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric conditions.

6. Demonstrate effective written communication skills to construct a succinct "News & Views" style summary of a primary research report for a lay audience.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL304
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B316 Schizophrenia and Its Treatment: Neuroscientific, Historical, and Phenomenological Perspectives

The goal of this seminar will be to critically investigate the concept of schizophrenia as a unitary disease construct, from historical, neuroscientific, and phenomenological approaches, and the implications of these views for our understanding of treatment of the disorder. How are we to make sense of a psychiatric disorder that has changed so substantially in definition over time, with wide interindividual difference in symptom expression and functional outcome, a wide array of competing theories regarding etiology and biological mechanisms, and correspondingly diverse treatment interventions? We will engage these questions through three separate units that will evaluate the disorder from three different levels of analysis: (1) readings in the history of psychiatry and the perspective they cast on schizophrenia as a unitary disease concept; (2) an analysis of contemporary work in neuroimaging and experimental cognition in the disease and the current status of creating a coherent account of neurocognitive mechanisms of the disease, as well as a neurocognitive approach to novel interventions; and (3) new work on understanding the experience of the disease from first-person accounts and the systematic analysis of these accounts as a window to understanding heterogeneity in the disease and novel approaches for therapy.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC316
Prereq: None

NS&B316Z Schizophrenia and its Treatment

Please note: readings and assignments will be due during winter break, prior to arriving on campus for Winter Session. Please visit the Winter Session website for the full syllabus - http://www.wesleyan.edu/wintersession.



The goal of the seminar will be to critically investigate the concept of schizophrenia as a unitary disease construct, from historical, neuroscientific, and phenomenological approaches, and the implications of these views for our understanding of treatment in the disorder. How are we to make sense of a psychiatric disorder that has changed so substantially in definition over time, with wide interindividual difference in symptom expression and functional outcome, a wide array of competing theories regarding etiology and biological mechanisms, and correspondingly diverse treatment interventions? We will engage these questions through three separate units that will evaluate the disorder from three different levels of analysis: (1) readings in the history of psychiatry and the perspective they cast on schizophrenia as a unitary disease concept; (2) an analysis of contemporary work in neuroimaging and experimental cognition in the disease and the current status of creating a coherent account of neurocognitive mechanisms of the disease, as well as a neurocognitive approach to novel interventions; (3) new work on understanding the experience of the disease from first-person accounts and the systematic analysis of these accounts as a window to understanding heterogeneity in the disease and novel approaches for therapy.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC316Z
Prereq: None

NS&B317 Neuroethics

Ethics, or morality, is one of the complex features of human behavior. This course will explore "Neuroethics" from two perspectives: (1) the neuroscience of ethics (i.e., the role of the human brain in ethical or moral behavior) and (2) the ethics of neuroscience (i.e. the ethical implications of manipulating the brain). The first perspective will relate to the premise that human morality is embodied in and operates based on the principles of the functional architecture of the brain, in particular, the cerebral cortex. The course will examine the organization and neural networks, especially of the association cortices (prefrontal Cortex: ventromedial, dorsolateral and orbitofrontal cortex; the cingulate cortex; temporal association cortex; and the inferior and superior parietal lobes). The course will review studies on the development of moral values in children and their neural underpinnings, leading to studies of the functions of the adult brain in moral or ethical decision-making. Topics such as the neural basis of resolving the "Trolley Problem," neuroeconomics, altruism, poverty, forgiveness, and compassion will provide the basis for this discussion. We will evaluate from a neuroscience perspective questions such as determinism and free will, and the sense of "self"--ideas that have played a significant role in ethical theories. Based on this body of knowledge, we will look at emerging ethical issues arising from technological developments that allow for manipulating the normal and diseased brain. A variety of questions will be examined, including brain imaging and privacy; enhancement of normal brain function through chemical, electrical, and electromagnetic stimulation; implanted neural interfaces; restoring brain damage; and neuroscience and the law.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Prereq: [PSYC225 or NS&B225] OR [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B320 Neuroscience of Learning and Memory

One of the fundamental functions of our nervous system is to encode and store memories, which allows us to survive and shape our personal identities. In this course we will cover different animal models of learning and memory, which have been useful tools to understand maladaptive memories underlying neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and Alzheimer's disease. We will look in detail at how neurons and neural circuits change and respond when an organism learns something new or recalls a past experience. This course will also involve detailed discussions related to sex differences in both learning behavior and the biological basis of memory processes. The central focus of the course will be integrating current work in basic cellular and molecular neurobiology with the experimental psychology of learning and memory. This course counts as an elective towards the psychology major.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: PSYC305
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B323 Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Disease

Broadly defined, neurodegenerative disease occurs when a specific class of neuron dies and thus fails in its biological action. In this course, we will delve into the many different, intricate ways neuron death can occur and cause disease. From the chemistry of neurotransmitters, aggregation of proteins, and the collapse of neuromuscular junctions, many areas of the neurobiology can go awry. The focus of the course will be on understanding the complex interplay of small molecules and proteins that keep neurons healthy and functional. In this course, we will use current primary literature and lecture to understand the varied topics. This course aims to improve skills in reading and analysis of primary literature as well as the written and oral presentation of scientific findings.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-CHEM
Identical With: CHEM323
Prereq: BIOL181 AND CHEM252

NS&B326 History of the Brain

The course is designed to trace the people, experiments, social forces, and ideas that have helped shape the legacy of current neuroscientific knowledge. The course will be broken up into five parts. Part one will look at Ancient Egyptian, and Classical Greek and Roman conceptions of brain function. Part two will investigate methodological advances in the study of electricity and cell-staining techniques -- both developed in the 18th-19th century -- that paved the way for novel ways of looking at brain function and human behavior and how these new conceptualizations impacted the culture at large. Part three will investigate the history of assigning specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioral function to specific structures in the brain. Part four will link developments in neuroscientific study with their impact (both positive and ill) on the treatment and care of people with psychiatric and neurological illness form the 19th-century to the present day. Part five will present a summing up and an overview of contemporary models of brain and mind.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: SBS-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC326
Prereq: None

NS&B326Z History of the Brain

The course is designed to trace the people, experiments, social forces, and ideas that have helped shape the legacy of current neuroscientific knowledge. The course will be broken up into five parts: Part one will look at Ancient Egyptian, and Classical Greek and Roman conceptions of brain function. Part two will investigate methodological advances in the study of electricity and cell-staining techniques -- both developed in the 18th-19th century -- that paved the way for novel ways of looking at brain function and human behavior and how these new conceptualizations impacted the culture at large. Part three will investigate the history of assigning specific cognitive, emotional and behavioral function to specific structures in the brain. Part four will link developments in neuroscientific study with their impact (both positive and ill) on the treatment and care of people with psychiatric and neurological illness form the 19th-century to the present day. Part five will present a summing up and an overview of contemporary models of brain and mind.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: SBS-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC326Z
Prereq: None

NS&B328 Chemical Senses

The least well understood of the senses, chemical sensation, is key to survival and behavior of many species. This course covers the structure and function of sensory neurons in both the gustatory and olfactory systems, as well as in chemosensory irritation. We will examine coding of sensory information to understand how higher cortical areas interpret stimuli. We will look at a variety of animal models and discover common organizing principles across phyla. Emphasis will be placed on the cell biology of these systems. Students will participate in reading, analyzing, and presenting recent studies from different areas within chemical sense to highlight recent findings and where the emphasis in chemosensory research is focused.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL328
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B329 Neural Costs of War

This course focuses on stress reactions that result because of exposure to war, combat, and related atrocities. You will learn about the diagnosis of PTSD, including its development and history. There is a strong emphasis on the neural and cognitive mechanisms for stress-related psychopathology and the overlap of psychological and neural systems with the damaging effects of traumatic brain injury. While interactions of these mechanisms with social and cultural processes are considered, the primary emphasis is on the neural and cognitive mechanisms. To be fully prepared for this course, students should have a solid grounding in neuroscience and behavior, as well as basic psychopathology.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC329
Prereq: None

NS&B341 Psychology of Human Memory

This seminar course is designed to provide students with an in-depth exploration of the psychological science of human memory. We will examine current issues and theories in human memory research and the methods by which human memory is explored. Both classic and contemporary research findings from the disciplines of cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropsychology will be brought together to paint a picture of the current understanding of human memory. Topics to be covered include different memory systems and frameworks (e.g., working memory, semantic memory, episodic memory), remembering and forgetting (e.g., phenomenal experience of remembering, various mechanisms of forgetting), reality/source monitoring (e.g., memory attributions, true and false memories), the influence of emotional and social factors on memory (e.g., social remembering), and memory in clinical populations.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC341
Prereq: None

NS&B342 Cognition of Music and Sound

As part of human cognition, our perception, production, and understanding of music has elicited many questions: what is music in relation to "sound"? Is music an evolutionary adaptation? What is the relationship of music and emotions or memory? Can music influence perception in other modalities? What is the meaning of music? Can music make us smarter? Is music a language? What is biological and what is cultural in the esthetics of music? This course will seek to answer these questions using a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives that include cognitive science, acoustics, music theory, and semiotics. Topics will include: the perception of pitch, timbre, rhythm, and localization; music and the brain; the cognitive aspect of the aesthetics of music; the relationship between music and language in terms of their structures and neurological processing; music and memory; music and emotions; and music and meaning. We will also discuss the role music plays in cross-modal interactions, either in the real world or in films and multimedia art works.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC342
Prereq: None

NS&B343 Muscle and Nerve Development

This course will examine the structure and function of muscle cells, the development of muscle cell identity, the development of motor neurons, and the interactions between nerve and muscle that lead to a functioning neuromuscular system. The primary focus will be on vertebrate model systems such as chick, mouse, and fish. We will also examine human diseases, including muscular dystrophies and other neuromuscular disorders.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL343, NS&B543, BIOL543
Prereq: BIOL218 OR ([BIOL182 or MB&B182] AND [BIOL212 or MB&B212]) OR ([BIOL182 or MB&B182] AND [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]) OR ([BIOL196 or MBB196] AND [BIOL212 or MB&B212]) OR ([BIOL196 or MBB196] AND [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240])

NS&B344 Developmental Biology of the Nervous System

Near the top of the list of unsolved mysteries in biology is the enigma of how the nervous system constructs itself. Here is a part of our body that can make us feel happy, sad, amused, and in love. It responds to light, touch, and sound; it learns; it organizes movements; it controls bodily functions. An understanding of how this structure is constructed during embryonic and postnatal development has begun to emerge from molecular-genetic, cellular, and physiological studies. In this course, we will discuss some of the important events in building the brain and explore the role of genes and the environment in shaping the brain. We will also discuss some disorders and dysfunctions that may happen during the neurobiology of development, such as cerebral palsy, autism, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We will also discuss developmental disorders resulting from developmental processes that have gone astray. This is a reading-intensive seminar course emphasizing classroom discussions, with readings from a textbook and the primary scientific literature. After the classes students will have extensive opportunities for feedback and will be requested to write a simple paragraph for the next class and/or answer a small quiz, based on the new knowledge acquired. Student evaluation will include weekly quizzes and/or assessment, a mid-term and a final exam, and class participation.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL344
Prereq: NS&B213 OR BIOL213 OR PSYC240

NS&B345 Developmental Neurobiology

Near the top of the list of unsolved mysteries in biology is the enigma of how the brain constructs itself. Here is an organ that can make us feel happy, sad, amused, and in love. It responds to light, touch, and sound; it learns; it organizes movements; it controls bodily functions. An understanding of how this structure is constructed during embryonic and postnatal development has begun to emerge from molecular-genetic, cellular, and physiological studies. In this course, we will discuss some of the important events in building the brain and explore the role of genes and the environment in shaping the brain. With each topic in this journey, we will ask what the roles of genes and the environment are in forming the nervous system. We will also discuss developmental disorders resulting from developmental processes that have gone astray. This is a reading-intensive seminar course emphasizing classroom discussions, with readings from a textbook and the primary scientific literature.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL345, NS&B545, BIOL545
Prereq: (NS&B213 AND MB&B181 AND BIOL182) OR (NS&B213 AND MB&B181 AND BIOL196) OR (NS&B213 AND MBB195 AND BIOL182) OR (NS&B213 AND MBB195 AND BIOL196)

NS&B347 Mammalian Cortical Circuits

The mammalian cortex is where conscious perception and thought is generated, but the mechanistic details governing those processes are not well known. Studies of those circuits have revealed a heterogeneity of neuronal classes in the cortex and their proposed roles in these processes. Detailed wiring diagrams of local and long-distance cortical circuits are emerging, colored with dynamic connections that are helping us understand the cortex with these reverse-engineering strategies. Most of the readings for this course will be taken from the recent primary literature; areas of the cortex that will be studied include sensory cortex as well as studies of hippocampal cortical circuits.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL347
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B348 Topics in Cognitive Development

In this course we will discuss in depth a selection of current topics in cognitive development research. We will read and discuss primary literature and focus on cutting-edge debates in the field, surveying evidence from different stages of human individual development as well as (when appropriate) evidence from different nonhuman species.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC348
Prereq: None

NS&B351 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

Animals as varied as sea slugs and humans display a number of types of learning, ranging from the capacity to acquire species-specific behavior to the ability to form arbitrary associations. Just as varied are the philosophies governing the choice of how to best study the neurobiology of learning and memory. Through lectures, class discussion, student presentations, and a critical reading of the primary literature, the advantages and disadvantages of these various approaches will be investigated. While the specific focus of this class will be on learning and memory, other ways in which the brain learns will also be explored. Normal brain ontogeny relies to some extent on invariant cues in the animal's environment, making this process somewhat analogous to learning. In fact, the neural substrates for learning are likely to be a subset of the basic steps used during brain development. Moreover, the developmental rules guiding brain assembly place constraints on the what, how, and when of brain function and learning. Therefore, this course will also cover select topics in basic developmental neurobiology.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL351
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B353 Neurobiology of Neurological Disorders

This course aims to provide a foundation in the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders. We will explore through lectures and readings of primary literature a number of important neurological and psychiatric diseases, including including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and Parkinson's disease. This course focuses on the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neurological disorders and is designed to engage students who wish to study basic aspects of brain function.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL353, PSYC353
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B356 Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This course aims to provide a foundation in the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders. We will explore through lectures and readings of primary literature a number of important neurological and psychiatric diseases, including genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, Fragile X, and Williams syndrome; spectrum disorders such as autism and fetal alcohol syndrome; ADHD, Tourettes, cerebral palsy, and some motor disorders including developmental coordination disorder, stereotypic movement disorder, sensory ingration disorder, and neonatal hypoxia. This course focuses on the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neurological disorders and is designed to engage students who wish to study basic cellular aspects of brain function.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL356, PSYC356
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B357 Sex and Gender: From Synapse to Society

From movies like Think Like a Man to songs like "God Made Girls," from federal policies to gender reveal parties, much of our experience is defined by an ideology of gender dichotomy and an endorsement of fundamental sex differences in behavior. But does science agree? The field of neuroscience is bursting with research that both supports and questions inherent differences in the brains and behavior of men and women. In this course we will be taking an open and critical look at this scientific literature. We will begin by clarifying what it means, biologically, to be male/female, determine the limits to these definitions, and evaluate how these biological elements (genes/hormones/anatomy) interact with our environment and society to influence our behavior and gender identity. Additionally, we will evaluate nonhuman animal and human data regarding sex differences in behaviors (e.g., aggression, verbal communication) and neuropathological states (e.g., addiction, autism spectrum disorder). Student evaluation will include effortful participation, biweekly concept checkpoints, a final paper/presentation, and weekly editorials.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: None
Identical With: BIOL357, FGSS357
Prereq: BIOL182 AND NS&B213

NS&B358 Neurobiology of Movement

This course is designed to take a comparative approach to understanding the major motor systems of the brain and will cover the basic elements of motor "control." However, the motor system does much more than contract muscles. Even the most basic movements such as walking require whole-body coordination that must be learned and adapted to our environment. During active sensation, motor systems even modulate our sensory perceptions. Much of what we have learned about motor systems comes from animals as diverse as crickets, electric fish, and birds. This course uses a comparative approach to understand the functions various brain regions contribute to our active lives.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL358
Prereq: NS&B213

NS&B360 Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis in Health and Disease: Molecules, Cells, and Circuits

This course will examine structural and functional neuroplasticity in the nervous system. The ability of the nervous system to reorganize itself by forming new connections, strengthening existing connections, or pruning away old synaptic connections is regulated by our environment, both within the body and the external world. We'll examine critical periods in development when sensory experiences change and sculpt the wiring of the brain, learn how the birth of new neurons changes across the lifespan, and discover how adult neurogenesis is altered by the aging process, physical exercise, stress, and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. We'll also learn about potential stem cell therapies for enhancing brain repair and plasticity after brain injuries. Students will prepare for class by reading scientific papers and reviews on the topic. In class, I will introduce the topic with slide presentations, and after that we will discuss the topic based on the scientific article discussion. After the classes students will have extensive opportunities for feedback and will be requested to write a simple paragraph for the next class and/or answer a small quiz, based on the new knowledge acquired. Student evaluation will include weekly quizzes and/or assessment, a final exam, and class participation.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL360
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]

NS&B360Z Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis in Health and Disease: Molecules, Cells, and Circuits

This course will examine structural and functional neuroplasticity in the nervous system. The ability of the nervous system to reorganize itself by forming new connections, strengthening existing connections, or pruning away old synaptic connections is regulated by our environment, both within the body and the external world. We'll examine critical periods in development when sensory experiences change and sculpt the wiring of the brain, learn how the birth of new neurons changes across the lifespan, and how adult neurogenesis is altered by aging process, physical exercise, stress, and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease. We'll also learn about the potential stem cell therapies for enhancing brain repair and plasticity after brain injuries. After the basic material is introduced, class sessions will be scientific article discussion-based. Students will prepare for class by reading scientific papers and reviews on the topic. In class, we will introduce the topic with slide presentation and after that, we will discuss the topic based on the scientific article discussion.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL360Z
Prereq: NS&B213 OR BIOL213 OR PSYC240

NS&B373 Exploring the Brain-Body Interface: The Neuroscience of Basic Survival

Basic survival depends on the brain's regulation of fundamental behaviors and physiological pathways, such as drinking, eating, digestion, thermoregulation, breathing, and cardiovascular function. How do the brain and body communicate with each other to achieve homeostasis under different physiological states, and what goes awry in disease? How have species adapted to thrive in challenging environments, such as extreme temperatures and resource scarcity? In this advanced seminar, students will take a deep dive into the exciting research taking place at the brain-body interface. We will explore the main components of the peripheral nervous system, such as the vagus nerve and the dorsal root ganglia, that act as gatekeepers into our internal and external sensory worlds. We will also explore pathways within the central nervous system that regulate our basic bodily functions. By reading primary literature and review papers and participating in in-class discussions, students will gain deep knowledge of this burgeoning field of neuroscience. Through short written assignments and oral presentations on topics of their choosing, students will gain practical skills in scientific scholarship and communication.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-NSB
Identical With: BIOL373
Prereq: (BIOL181 OR MBB 181) AND (BIOL182 OR MB&B182) AND (BIOL213 OR NS&B213)

NS&B378 Advanced Research in Cognitive Neuroscience

This advanced research course provides in-depth training in the experimental methods of cognitive neuroscience, focused on human memory. Students will work individually and in groups on semester-long projects, which will include literature reviews, experimental design, data collection, analysis, journal-formatted writing of results, and oral presentations.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC378
Prereq: None

NS&B382 Advanced Research in Decision Making

This course is designed to allow students to conduct supervised research in the area of the cognitive psychology of reasoning and decision making. Working as a team with the instructor and other members of the research group, students will undertake a semester-long experimental research project on a topic in reasoning and decision making.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: SBS-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC382
Prereq: None

NS&B383 Advanced Research in Learning and Memory

This advanced research course is designed to allow students to conduct supervised research in the area of human learning and memory. Working with the instructor, students will become part of an active research lab, undertaking a semester-long experimental research project that seeks to answer a current question in the field of memory research.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC383
Prereq: None

NS&B390 Experimental Investigations into Reading

Experienced readers can easily recognize thousands of words. The mental dictionaries of these readers are efficiently organized to allow rapid and seemingly effortless word recognition. There are still many unanswered questions about the processes involved in visual word recognition. In this class, students will work together with the instructor to design and carry out an experimental investigation relating to reading and word recognition. The semester will provide students with a chance to integrate all aspects of the experimental process: idea formation, experimental design, data collection and analysis, interpretation, write-up, and presentation.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC390
Prereq: None

NS&B392 Behavioral Methods in Affective Neuroscience

This research methods course teaches experimental design and methods in experimental psychopathology using tools to conduct behavioral research in cognitive-affective neuroscience. Course material includes studies from the contemporary psychopathology research literature, with a focus on cognition-emotion interactions. Methods taught will vary by semester and individual research projects and will include statistical procedures (e.g., repeated measures ANOVA), tools for conducting research and analyzing data (e.g., computer programming for stimuli presentation and data processing), and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., event-related potential). There is high expectation that those enrolled in this course will take initiative to extend their learning to areas for which they have specific interests related to the course objectives. Students are also expected to work independently.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC392
Prereq: None

NS&B393 Advanced Research in Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Illness

Students in this advanced undergraduate research course will work in teams on novel and ongoing research studies focused on understanding neurocognitive dysfunction and its treatment in neuropsychiatric illness. Students will be matched to a research project and will participate in different aspects of this research including background literature review, acquiring elementary skills in neurocognitive and symptom assessment, and collecting and/or analyzing extant data using SPSS. Students may also be involved in learning cognitive training procedures.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: OPT
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-PSYC
Identical With: PSYC393
Prereq: None

NS&B401 Individual Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B402 Individual Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B407 Senior Tutorial (downgraded thesis)

Downgraded Senior Thesis Tutorial - Project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor. Only enrolled in through the Honors Coordinator.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F

NS&B408 Senior Tutorial (downgraded thesis)

Downgraded Senior Thesis Tutorial - Project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor. Only enrolled in through the Honors Coordinator.
Offering: Host
Grading: A-F

NS&B409 Senior Thesis Tutorial

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B410 Senior Thesis Tutorial

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B411 Group Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B412 Group Tutorial, Undergraduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B420 Student Forum

Student-run group tutorial, sponsored by a faculty member and approved by the chair of a department or program.
Offering: Host
Grading: Cr/U

NS&B421 Undergraduate Research, Science

Individual research projects for undergraduate students supervised by faculty members.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B422 Undergraduate Research, Science

Individual research projects for undergraduate students supervised by faculty members.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B423 Advanced Research Seminar, Undergraduate

Advanced research tutorial; project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B424 Advanced Research Seminar, Undergraduate

Advanced research tutorial; project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B466 Education in the Field, Undergraduate

Students must consult with the department and class dean in advance of undertaking education in the field for approval of the nature of the responsibilities and method of evaluation.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B491 Teaching Apprentice Tutorial

The teaching apprentice program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to assist in teaching a faculty member's course for academic credit.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B492 Teaching Apprentice Tutorial

The teaching apprentice program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to assist in teaching a faculty member's course for academic credit.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B501 Individual Tutorial, Graduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B502 Individual Tutorial, Graduate

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B503 Selected Topics, Graduate Sciences

Topic to be arranged in consultation with the tutor. A seminar primarily concerned with papers taken from current research publications designed for, and required of, graduate students.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B509 Neuroscience Journal Club I

Presentation and discussion of current research articles in the field of neuroscience.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.25
Gen Ed Area: None
Identical With: BIOL509
Prereq: None

NS&B510 Neurosciences Journal Club II

Presentation and discussion of current research articles in the field of neuroscience.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: Cr/U
Credits: 0.25
Gen Ed Area: None
Identical With: BIOL510
Prereq: None

NS&B543 Muscle and Nerve Development

This course will examine the structure and function of muscle cells, the development of muscle cell identity, the development of motor neurons, and the interactions between nerve and muscle that lead to a functioning neuromuscular system. The primary focus will be on vertebrate model systems such as chick, mouse, and fish. We will also examine human diseases, including muscular dystrophies and other neuromuscular disorders.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL343, BIOL543, NS&B343
Prereq: BIOL218 OR ([BIOL182 or MB&B182] AND [BIOL212 or MB&B212]) OR ([BIOL182 or MB&B182] AND [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]) OR ([BIOL196 or MBB196] AND [BIOL212 or MB&B212]) OR ([BIOL196 or MBB196] AND [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240])

NS&B545 Developmental Neurobiology

Near the top of the list of unsolved mysteries in biology is the enigma of how the brain constructs itself. Here is an organ that can make us feel happy, sad, amused, and in love. It responds to light, touch, and sound; it learns; it organizes movements; it controls bodily functions. An understanding of how this structure is constructed during embryonic and postnatal development has begun to emerge from molecular-genetic, cellular, and physiological studies. In this course, we will discuss some of the important events in building the brain and explore the role of genes and the environment in shaping the brain. With each topic in this journey, we will ask what the roles of genes and the environment are in forming the nervous system. We will also discuss developmental disorders resulting from developmental processes that have gone astray. This is a reading-intensive seminar course emphasizing classroom discussions, with readings from a textbook and the primary scientific literature.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL345, NS&B345, BIOL545
Prereq: (NS&B213 AND MB&B181 AND BIOL182) OR (NS&B213 AND MB&B181 AND BIOL196) OR (NS&B213 AND MBB195 AND BIOL182) OR (NS&B213 AND MBB195 AND BIOL196)

NS&B549 Advanced Research Seminar, Graduate

Advanced research tutorial; project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B550 Advanced Research Seminar, Graduate

Advanced research tutorial; project to be arranged in consultation with the tutor.
Offering: Host
Grading: OPT

NS&B555 Laboratory in Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology

The goals of the course are to introduce students to a number of contemporary laboratory techniques in neuroscience and behavior. The laboratory introduces students to experimental method and techniques including neuroanatomy, immunohistochemistry, primary neuronal and astrocyte cell culture methods, analyses of electrical activity in the brain, and behavioral analyses of learning, memory, social behavior, and social dominance in inbred strains of mice.



Students will learn to analyze experimental data and write a series of laboratory reports on the experiments done during class. In addition, students will write a term paper related to one of the experimental approaches.
Offering: Crosslisting
Grading: A-F
Credits: 1.00
Gen Ed Area: NSM-BIOL
Identical With: BIOL250, NS&B250
Prereq: [NS&B213 or BIOL213 or PSYC240]