In this Department  Neuroscience Major  Biopsychology Major  Courses in Neuroscience Catalog  Main Page  General Information   College of Arts and Sciences   Conservatory of Music  Double-Degree Program  Other Links  Registrar's Office Office/Departmental Directory  Arts and Sciences Main Page Neuroscience Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field of study that employs the tools and perspectives of biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to achieve a better understanding of brain function, of behavior, and of mind. The Neuroscience Program offers two interdisciplinary majors in neuroscience: Neuroscience and Biopsychology. The Neuroscience major is designed for students interested in how the brain functions as well as how it contributes to mind and behavior. The major provides an opportunity for students to explore brain function using multiple approaches, and addresses our current ideas regarding thought, emotion, neuropathology and behavior. Students interested in graduate study or professional work in the cellular, molecular, evolutionary or system levels of neuroscience or in areas including pharmacology, biotechnology and biomedicine would find this major particularly appropriate. The Biopsychology major is designed for students whose main interests are mind and behavior, and who wish to examine the neural underpinnings of these phenomena. Students with an interest in graduate study or professional work in fields such as behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, physiological psychology, clinical psychology, behavioral genetics, animal behavior, or psychiatry may find this major attractive. Advanced Placement. At this time, there is no advanced placement examination in Neuroscience. The Neuroscience and Biopsychology majors require course work in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Psychology. Advanced placement credit for work in these disciplines will be counted as meeting the course work requirements for Neuroscience or Biopsychology, if the department in which the advanced placement examination is taken also accepts advanced placement credit as meeting course requirements in its major. Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions. Students wishing to major in Neuroscience or Biopsychology are advised to take Biology 118 and 119 in their first semester (well-prepared students should consider taking Chemistry 101 or 103 in the first semester as well). By the end of the sophomore year, students would do well to have taken either Neuroscience 201 or 204, and should have completed Chemistry 102 or 103, Biology 118 and 119, and a course in statistics. In addition, a Biopsychology major should have completed Psychology 100. A Neuroscience major is advised to complete Biology 213 no later than the first semester of the junior year. Major. The Neuroscience Program offers two majors: Neuroscience and Biopsychology.   back to top Neuroscience Major Neuroscience Major. The Neuroscience major consists of approximately 45 credit hours as follows: I. Biology A. BIOL 118 ­ Organismal Biology and BIOL 119 ­ Organismal Biology Laboratory B. BIOL 213 ­ Cell and Molecular Biology II. Chemistry A. CHEM 101 ­ Structure and Reactivity and CHEM 102 ­ Chemical Principles (CHEM 103 ­ Topics in General Chemistry may replace CHEM 101 and 102.) B. CHEM 205 ­ Principles of Organic Chemistry III. Course work in statistics: MATH 113 ­ Statistical Methods for the Social and Behavioral Sciences, or MATH 114 ­ Statistical Methods for the Biological Sciences; or PSYC 200 ­ Research Methods I IV. Neuroscience A. NSCI 201 ­ The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204 ­ Human Neurobiology B. NSCI 211 ­ Laboratory in Neuroscience C. Three 300-level NSCI lecture/discussion courses D. Two 300-level NSCI laboratory courses (A 300-level combined laboratory and lecture course of 4 or more hours, fulfills 1 course from both C. and D.) V. Additional course work from amongst the following (minimum of 7 hours) -- at least one laboratory course from Group A: Group A: Biology 120 ­ Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology; 201 ­ Invertebrate Biology; 203 ­ Vertebrate Structure and Evolution; 302 ­ Developmental Biology; 303 ­ Microbiology; 308 or 309 ­ Genes and Genetic Engineering; 312 ­ Animal Physiology; 313 ­ The Living Cell; 314 ­ Biological Research; 327 ­ Immunology; 328 ­ Immunology Laboratory; Chemistry 254 ­ Bioorganic Chemistry. Group B: Neuroscience 200 ­ Animal Behavior, Biology 211 ­ Genetics; 318 ­ Evolution, 329 ­ Virology; 333 ­ Laboratory in Mammalian Cell Culture; Computer Science 299 ­ Seminar: Mind and Machine; Psychology 219 ­ Cognitive Psychology, 220 ­ Cognitive Neuropsychology, 305 -Human Psychophysiology; Psychology 420 ­ Seminar: Explorations in Cognitive Neuropsychology.     back to top Biopsychology Major Biopsychology Major. The Biopsychology major consists of approximately 45 credit hours as follows: I. Biology A. BIOL 118 ­ Organismal Biology and BIOL 119 ­ Organismal Biology Laboratory B. BIOL 120 ­ Genetics, Evolution and Ecology II. Chemistry CHEM 101 ­ Structure and Reactivity and CHEM 102 ­ Chemical Principles (CHEM 103 ­ Topics in General Chemistry may replace CHEM 101 and 102.) III. Neuroscience A. NSCI 201 ­ The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience or NSCI 204 ­ Human Neurobiology B. NSCI 211 ­ Laboratory in Neuroscience C. NSCI ­ Two 300-level lecture/discussion courses D. NSCI ­ One 300-level laboratory course (A 300-level combined laboratory and lecture course of 4 or more hours, fulfills 1 course from both C. and D.) IV. Psychology A. PSYC 100 ­ The Study of Behavior B. PSYC 200 ­ Research Methods I C. Two of the following courses PSYC 214 ­ Abnormal Psychology PSYC 216 ­ Developmental Psychology PSYC 219 ­ Cognitive Psychology or PSYC 220 Cognitive Neuropsychology D. One of the following laboratories PSYC 302 ­ Developmental Psychology Laboratory PSYC 303 ­ Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology PSYC 307 ­ Laboratory in Cognitive Neuropsychology V. Additional course work from amongst the following (minimum of 3 hours): NSCI ­ Any additional 300-level lecture/discussion course BIOL 203 ­ Vertebrate Structure and Evolution BIOL 211 ­ Genetics BIOL 213 ­ Cell and Molecular Biology CSCI 299 ­ Seminar: Mind and Machine PHIL 228 ­ Philosophy of Mind PSYC 206 ­ Sensory Processes and Perception PSYC 214, 216 or 219 if not already taken as part of IV-C above PSYC 222 ­ Psychobiology of Emotion PSYC 300 ­ Research Methods II PSYC 305 ­ Human Psychophysiology PSYC 420 ­ Seminar: Explorations in Cognitive Neuropsychology   Any variation in meeting major requirements, as described above, must be approved in writing by the Director of the Program in Neuroscience. Similarly, course credit earned away from Oberlin must be approved by the Program Director before it can serve to satisfy major requirements. Supporting Courses. The majors offered by the Neuroscience Program are by nature interdisciplinary, requiring preparation in a variety of scientific disciplines. While the Program has tried to require only those courses that are most generally useful, experience suggests that certain courses not specified may be either useful or necessary in gaining admission to graduate programs in particular specialties. For instance, a student preparing for graduate school in cellular neuroscience might consider studying physics, physiology, immunology, and biochemistry. A student planning on pursuing cognitive neuroscience should consider advanced work in mathematics and computer science. A student with a particular interest in animal behavior might wish to select additional courses such as Animal Physiology, Vertebrate Structure and Evolution, and Biological Anthropology. Majors should select courses in close consultation with their advisors to obtain the most appropriate supporting courses consistent with their goals and interests. Minor. The Neuroscience Program does not offer a minor. Research Opportunities. Students interested in research on or off campus are encouraged to discuss with their advisors the various research options that are available. Enrollment in Neuroscience 607 - Independent Research is by consent only. For information on the Honors Program, see below and the Neuroscience Program Worldwide Web page in "Oberlin Online." Honors. During the second semester of the junior year or earlier, students wishing to enter the honors program in Neuroscience should discuss their interest with one of the Neuroscience faculty. If the faculty member is able to work with the student, he/she will help the student develop an appropriate research project proposal. To be formally accepted into the honors program, a research proposal is submitted to the Neuroscience Program early in the first semester of the student's senior year. Proposals are judged for their quality and feasibility. Students whose proposals are approved enroll in Neuroscience 607 - Independent Research. Pre-Medical. Students planning to apply to medical school may major in any subject, provided they take those courses required for admission. Early in their academic career at Oberlin, they should discuss their plans with one of the pre-medical advisors. Please refer to the "Pre-Medical" section earlier in this catalog for a list of pre-medical advisors. Transfer of Credit. The Neuroscience Program accepts courses taken at other universities and colleges as meeting the requirements for the major if, and only if, the courses are judged to be equivalent in content to courses offered at Oberlin College. In all cases, at least half of the courses a student counts toward meeting major requirements must be taken at Oberlin. A request for permission to substitute a course taken away from Oberlin for the major should be made in advance, prior to enrolling in the course. It is the student's responsibility to make sure proper transfer credit forms are completed and placed on file in the Registrar's office. Winter Term. During Winter Term, the Program offers a number of individual research opportunities in the laboratories of faculty members. Also, students are encouraged to participate in one or more of the many off-campus research and internship opportunities at research laboratories, hospitals, and clinics offered throughout the country.   back to top   Courses in Neuroscience 100. Mind and Brain: Unraveling the Mysteries, Delivering the Cures 3 hours 3NS First Semester. Recent scientific discoveries regarding the biology of brain and behavior have great potential significance for enriching society's understanding of human nature and the human condition. This course is designed as a non-technical, general science introduction to neuroscience research. The importance of this work for understanding human thought, motivation, consciousness, ethics, aesthetics and other aspects of human nature will be considered as will the role of the neurosciences in health and disease processes. A lecture/discussion format will be used. Enrollment Limit:16 first-year students. Mr. Smith 101. Neurobiology of the Mind: The Brain Is Wider Than the Sky 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. Recent scientific discoveries about mind, brain and behavior are making important contributions to our understanding of human nature. This course will examine various aspects of brain structure and function (and damage and dysfunction) in relation to selected topics including emotion, language, thought and consciousness. No prior background is assumed. Both lecture and discussion formats will be used. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 16 first-year students. Not open to students who have taken NSCI 100 or NSCI 102. Mr. Braford 102. Science and the Mind 3 hours 3NS First Semester. The study of the brain and mind has become one of the most exciting frontiers of science. In this course we will discuss some fundamental aspects of science including reasoning, and experimental design. We will also review the basic principles of evolution and the basics of brain structure and function. We will then use these foundations to further explore some of the exciting areas of research in brain and mind. Enrollment Limit: 16 first-year students. Ms. Thornton 200. Introduction to Animal Behavior 3 hours 3NS First Semester. An introduction to the mechanisms and evolution of animal behavior. Among the topics to be considered are: The historical development of the field of ethology, the development and genetics of behavior, the role of the nervous system in generating behavior; instinct and learning, communication, mating systems, and social behavior. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or 204, or BIOL 118 or 120, or PSYCH 100, or ANTH 102. Enrollment Limit: 30. Ms. McCormick 201. The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience 3 hours 3NS First Semester. An introductory course in neuroscience that familiarizes students with concepts and information central to work in the neurosciences. Students will learn the basics of brain structure and function at molecular, cellular and systems levels. This foundation will be used to explore a number of aspects of behavior such as emotions, learning and memory, language, and higher cognitive processes and to understand certain neurological diseases. Neuroscience and Biopsychology students should take the accompanying laboratory course (NSCI 211). Prerequisite: BIOL 118, or at least sophomore standing, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 75. Neuroscience, Biopsychology, and Psychology majors given priority. Students cannot receive credit for both NSCI 201 and NSCI 204. Ms. Bianchi, Mr. Braford 204. Human Neurobiology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. An introduction to neuroscience emphasizing physiological and neural processes and their relationship to human behavior. The course covers information about brain structure and function (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology), attempts to show how the neurosciences help us understand complex cognitive processes such as learning, memory, perception and language, and contributes to our knowledge of topics such as weight regulation, sleep, sexuality, pain, and pathological conditions such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's dementia. Neuroscience and Biopsychology majors should take the laboratory that accompanies this course (NSCI 211). Prerequisite: BIOL 118, or at least sophomore standing, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 75. Neuroscience, Biopsychology, and Psychology majors given priority. Students cannot receive credit for both NSCI 201 and NSCI 204. Mr. Smith 211. Neuroscience Laboratory 2 hours 2NS First and Second Semester. This laboratory exposes students to a variety of the experimental approaches and the research techniques employed by neuroscientists. These include neuroanatomical procedures for staining and examining brain tissue; physiological procedures for recording the electrical activity of nerve cells, as well as commonly used techniques used to explore brain-behavior relationships (lesions, electrical and chemical stimulation). Some labs use computer simulations. Prerequisite: Previous or current enrollment in NSCI 201 or NSCI 204. Note: CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 12. Neuroscience and Biopsychology majors given priority. Ms. Bianchi, Mr. Braford, Mr. Loose, Mr. Smith 313. Molecular Approaches in Neurobiological Research 5 hours 5NS First Semester. This combination lecture/lab/seminar course will review major concepts in molecular biology and will explore how specific techniques have been used to advance the understanding of nervous system function. Lab experiences will include topics such as nucleic acid extraction, hybridization, and protein analysis. Discussion of student selected journal articles will relate lab exercises to current neuroscience research. Two consecutive 3-hour time slots are reserved for labs that require two days to complete. Scheduled lectures will not exceed 2 hours. Students may periodically need to complete lab assignments outside the designated times. Prerequisites: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204 and BIOL 213, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Bianchi 319. Neurophysiology: Neurons to Networks to Behavior 3 hours 3NS, QPh Second Semester. Our brains allow us to perform extraordinarily complicated functions ranging from perceiving the world, to deciding to walk, to timing the onset of puberty, to being self-aware. Particular neurons interact to accomplish these and many other feats. How such neural circuits function is studied in this course by examining first how neurons receive, integrate and transmit information. Then, these principles are combined with present theories on how groups of neurons produce both simple and complex behaviors. Students will analyze and discuss relevant portions of the recent scientific literature. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 30. Mr. Loose 320. Neuroanatomy 3 hours 3NS First Semester. A comprehensive analysis of the organization of vertebrate nervous systems is approached from a structural perspective with emphasis on the human central nervous system. Principles of organization are stressed. Prerequisites: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204, or consent of instructor. Mr. Braford 321. Studies in Neuronal Function 2 hours 2NS Second Semester. Students will investigate how neurons communicate and interact. The first 4-6 weeks in the laboratory will familiarize the student with methods used to investigate the actions of living neurons and with the design of experiments. The remainder of the semester will focus on the design, performance, and analysis of an original experiment. Students may need to schedule some additional laboratory time to complete their independent experiment. Prerequisites: NSCI 211 and either junior/senior standing, or previous or concurrent enrollment in NSCI 319. Enrollment Limit: 10. Mr. Loose 324. Laboratory in Neuroanatomy 1 hour 1NS First Semester. Second Module. This laboratory introduces students to neuroanatomical and neurohistological methods and techniques. Both the gross and fine microscopic anatomy of the nervous system are studied. Prerequisites: Previous or current enrollment in NSCI 320. Notes: CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 16. Mr. Braford 325. Neuropharmacology 3 hours 3NS Next offered 2003-2004. 327. Neuropharmacology Laboratory 1 hour 1NS Next offered 2003-2004. 331. Hormones, Brain, and Behavior 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. Hormones have an impact on just about everything we are and do, from our personalities and moods to our growth, fluid regulation, and reproductive behavior. This class explores what hormones are, and how they act to alter bodies and behavior. This field of study is sometimes called endocrinology/neuroendocrinology. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204, or consent of the instructor. Enrollment Limit: 30. Ms. Thornton 332. Neuroendocrine Research Methods 2 hours 2NS, WRi Second Semester. This laboratory will introduce a number of the principles and basic techniques used to study how hormones interact with the brain. Also, we will use the study of hormones to learn more about how to design and run scientific experiments. Some experiments will require participation outside of scheduled laboratory meetings. Prerequisite: Previous or current enrollment in NSCI 331. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Thornton 339. Developmental Neurobiology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. This course examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are used to form the nervous system. Topics such as neurogenesis, pattern formation, axonal guidance, cell lineage, cell migration, cell death, and cognitive development are covered. In addition to text readings, students will read and present findings from recent studies in developmental neurobiology. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 30. Ms. Bianchi 341. Laboratory in Developmental Neurobiology 1 hour 1NS Second Semester. First Module. In this lab, students will have the opportunity to use a variety of cellular and molecular biological protocols to explore mechanisms of neural development. Labs will include such topics as: in vitro analysis of tropic and trophic cues, assessment of cell lineage, analysis of apoptosis, and the examination of transgenic mice. Periodically, students will be required to do work outside the scheduled lab period. Prerequisite: Current or previous enrollment in NSCI 339. Note: CR/NE grading. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Bianchi 607. Independent Research 1-4 hours 1-4NS First and Second Semester. Students may select an independent research problem for individual investigation. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204. Consent of instructor required. 995. Private Reading 1-3 hours 1-3NS First and Second Semester. Independent study of a subject beyond the range of catalog course offerings. Available to junior and senior majors. Grading option at the discretion of the instructor. Consent of instructor required.   back to top