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Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field of study that employs the tools and perspectives of biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and medicine to achieve a better understanding of brain function, behavior and the mind. The Neuroscience major is designed for students interested in how the brain operates and the relationship between the brain and perception, thought, emotion, and behavior. Opportunities are available for students to use multiple approaches at many levels of analysis including molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral levels. The Neuroscience major is appropriate for any student with an interest in the field. It will also serve those students interested in graduate study or professional work in any area of neuroscience or in fields such as animal behavior, behavioral genetics, biopsychology, cognitive neuroscience, pharmacology, clinical psychology, biotechnology, medicine, or public health. To be well prepared for graduate or professional study in these fields, students will generally need to take more course work than the minimum required to fulfill the Neuroscience major. Students should consult closely with their advisors to determine the most appropriate set of courses consistent with their interests and goals. Advanced Placement. At this time, there is no advanced placement examination in Neuroscience. Advanced placement credit for a course within the Neuroscience major that is taught by another department will be accepted for credit toward the Neuroscience major if the relevant department accepts advanced placement credit for the course toward its major. Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions. Students intending to major in Neuroscience are advised to take Biology 118 in their first semester. (Well-prepared students should consider taking Chemistry 101 or 103 in their first semester, as well.) By the end of their sophomore year, students should have completed Chemistry 102 or 103, Biology 118, a course in statistics, and either Neuroscience 201 or 204. Neuroscience Major. The requirements for the Neuroscience major consist of a minimum of approximately 38 credit hours, depending on course selection. These requirements are as follows: BIOL 118-Organismal Biology CHEM 101-Structure and Reactivity and CHEM 102-Chemical Principles (Qualified students may take CHEM 103-Topics in General Chemistry in place of CHEM 101 and 102.) One of the following statistics courses: MATH 113 Statistical Methods for the Social and Behavioral Sciences MATH 114 Statistical Methods for the Biological Sciences PSYC 200 Research Methods I One of the following courses: BIOL 120 Genetics, Evolution and Ecology BIOL 213 Cell and Molecular Biology CHEM 205 Principles of Organic Chemistry One of the following two courses: NSCI 201 The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience NSCI 204 Human Neurobiology NSCI 211-Laboratory in Neuroscience Two of the following lecture/discussion courses in Cellular and Systems Neuroscience: NSCI 313 -Molecular Approaches in Neurobiological Research (both lecture and lab) NSCI 319 Neurophysiology: Neurons to Networks to Behavior NSCI 320 Neuroanatomy NSCI 325 Neuropharmacology NSCI 331 Hormones, Brain and Behavior NSCI 339 Developmental Neuroscience MATH 345 Computational Neuroscience One of the following laboratory courses in Cellular and Systems Neuroscience: NSCI 313 -Molecular Approaches in Neurobiological Research (both lab and lecture) NSCI 321 Studies in Neuronal Function NSCI 324 Laboratory in Neuroanatomy NSCI 327 Neuropharmacology Laboratory NSCI 332 Neuroendocrine Research Methods NSCI 341 Laboratory in Developmental Neurobiology Two of the following lecture/discussion courses in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience: NSCI 200 Introduction to Animal Behavior NSCI 310 Behavioral Neuroscience PSYC 214 Abnormal Psychology PSYC 219 Cognitive Psychology PSYC 450 Seminar in Emotion PSYC 305 Human Psychophysiology (both lecture and lab) CSCI 299 Seminar: Mind and Machine One of the following laboratory courses: A second Cellular and Systems laboratory course from the list above PSYC 303 Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology PSYC 305 Human Psychophysiology (both lab and lecture) Senior Seminar in Neuroscience NSCI 400 Senior Seminar in Neuroscience A student who is unable to enroll in Neuroscience 400 during his/her senior year may request permission from the Chair of the Neuroscience Department to substitute one additional lecture/discussion course from either of the two lists of advanced neuroscience courses above or NSCI 607-Independent Research for the Senior Seminar. Any variation in meeting the major requirements indicated above must be approved in writing by the Chair of the Neuroscience Department. Similarly, the department chair must approve course credit earned away from Oberlin before it can serve to satisfy requirements for the major. Courses in which a student has earned a letter grade lower than a C- cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the Neuroscience major. Supporting Courses. Neuroscience is inherently an interdisciplinary field, and experience suggests that certain additional courses outside the major may be useful or necessary for gaining admission to graduate programs in particular specialties. For instance, a student preparing for graduate school in cellular neuroscience might consider taking courses in molecular biology, physics, physiology, immunology and biochemistry. A student planning to pursue cognitive neuroscience could consider advanced work in mathematics, computer science and other courses listed in the Cognitive Sciences Concentration section of the catalog. A student with particular interests in animal behavior or brain evolution might wish to select additional courses such as Animal Physiology, Evolution, Vertebrate Structure and Evolution, and Biological Anthropology. Minor. The Neuroscience Department 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 available. Enrollment in NSCI 607-Independent Research is by consent only. Information on the Honors Program is available below and on the Neuroscience Department's web page at www.oberlin.edu/nsci. Honors. During the second semester of the junior year or earlier, student wishing to enter the Honors Program in Neuroscience should discuss their interest with one or more of the Neuroscience Faculty. If a faculty member is able to work with a student, he/she will help the student develop an appropriate research project proposal. To be formally accepted into the Honors Program, a student's research proposal is submitted to the Neuroscience Department 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 NSCI 607-Independent Research. Admission to the Honors Program requires a minimum of GPA of 3.0 in the major. Pre-Medical and Health Career Preparation. Students planning to apply to medical school may major in any subject, provided they take those course required by medical schools for admission. Early in their academic careers at Oberlin, students should discuss their health career plans with one of the Health Career advisors. For a list of these advisors see www.oberlin.edu/hcf. Transfer of Credit. The Neuroscience Department accepts courses taken at other colleges and universities as meeting 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 to the Chair of the Neuroscience Department 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 of credit forms are completed and placed on file in the Office of the Registrar. Winter Term. During Winter Term, the Neuroscience Department 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 in laboratories, hospitals and clinics throughout the country.
FYSP 130. Mind and Brain: Unraveling the Mysteries, Delivering the Cures 3 hours 3NS First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14. Mr. Smith FYSP 133. Science and the Mind 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14. 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: 40. 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 behavioral and applied topics. Neuroscience majors should take the accompanying laboratory course (NSCI 211). Prerequisite: BIOL 118, or at least sophomore standing, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 75. Notes: Neuroscience and Psychology majors given priority. Students cannot receive credit for both NSCI 201 and NSCI 204. Mr. Braford 204. Human Neurobiology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. An introductory course in neuroscience that familiarizes students with concepts and information central to work in the neurosciences which also emphasizes the relationship of these cellular and physiological processes to human behavior. Neuroscience 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. Notes: Neuroscience 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 research techniques employed by neuroscientists: 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. Notes: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Neuroscience, and Psychology majors given priority. Enrollment Limit: 12. Staff
313. Molecular Approaches in Neurobiological Research 5 hours 5NS Next offered 2005-2006. 319. Neurophysiology: Neurons to Networks to Behavior 3 hours 3NS, QPh Second Semester. Our brains allow us to perform extraordinarily complicated functions. Neurons both individually and in neural circuits make these functions possible. We will examine how neurons receive, integrate and transmit information and 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 Second 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. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 30. Mr. Braford 321. Studies in Neuronal Function 2 hours 2NS Second Semester. Students will investigate how neurons communicate and interact. The first four to six 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 additional laboratory time outside of class to complete their independent experiment. Prerequisite: 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 Second Semester. This laboratory introduces students to neuroanatomical and neurohistological methods and techniques. Both the gross and fine microscopic anatomy of the nervous system are studied. Prerequisite: Previous or current enrollment in NSCI 320. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Enrollment Limit: 14. Mr. Braford 325. Neuropharmacology 3 hours 3NS Next offered 2005-2006. 327. Neuropharmacology Laboratory 1 hour 1NS Next offered 2005-2006. 331. Hormones, Brain, and Behavior 3 hours 3NS First 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 First 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 Next offered 2005-2006. 341. Laboratory in Developmental Neurobiology 1 hour 1NS Next offered 2005-2006. 350. Behavioral Neuroscience 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, we will explore what is known (and not known) about the physiological mechanisms that underlie behavior in humans and other animals. A variety of behaviors will be examined, including sleep and biological rhythms, ingestive behaviors (eating and drinking), reproductive behaviors, emotional behaviors, and human mental and behavioral disorders. Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or 204, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 30. Ms. Thornton 400. Neuroscience Seminar 3 hours 3NS First and Second Semester. Neuroscience seminars are capstone courses for neuroscience majors designed to help students integrate and apply their knowledge of neuroscience as well as help them consolidate their research, analysis, writing, and presentation skills. The courses will focus on the analysis and discussion of the original research literature in a selected area of neuroscience. Prerequisite: Neuroscience major and senior status or consent of the instructor. Enrollment Limit: 14. First Semester Theme: Evolution of Brain and Behavior. Topics may include evolutionary aspects of brain size, sensory specializations, language, altruism, consciousness, emotions, theory of mind, hominid social interactions, morality and culture. Mr. Braford Second Semester Theme: Neurobiology of Disease. The seminar examines neurobiological and behavioral features of major neural and psychiatric illnesses. Possible topics for consideration include: multiple sclerosis, prion diseases, Huntington, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, stroke, epilepsy, neuropathy, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders. Mr. Smith
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. |
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