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FYSP-133
Science and the Mind
3 hours Most recent
syllabus
The study of the brain and mind is one of the most exciting frontiers
of science. We will discuss some fundamental aspects of science including
reasoning, review the basic principles of evolution, learn about brain
structure/function, and then explore some of the exciting areas of research
in brain and mind. Broad topics include: How does the brain work? What
does brain damage tell us about how the mind works? How much of what
we perceive is ‘real'? Enrollment Limit: 14.
Ms. Thornton
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FYSP-137 The Brain Is Wider Than the Sky: Neurobiology of the Mind
3 hours Most recent syllabus
First 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: 14 first-year students.
Not open to students who have taken NSCI 100 or NSCI 102.
Mr. Braford
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200.
Introduction to Animal Behavior
3 hours Most recent syllabus
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 201or 204,or BIOL 118 or 120, or PSYCH 100, or ANTH 102. Enrollment
Limit: 40.
Ms. McCormick
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201.
The Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience
3 hours Most recent syllabus
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. Notes:
Neuroscience and Psychology majors given priority. Students cannot receive
credit for both NSCI 201 and NSCI 204. Enrollment Limit: 75.
Ms. Bianchi, Mr. Braford
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204.
Human Neurobiology
3 hours Most recent syllabus
An introductory course in neuroscience that familiarizes students with
concepts and information central to work in the neurosciences and emphasizes
the relationship of 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. Notes: Neuroscience and Psychology majors
given priority. Students cannot receive credit for both NSCI 201 and
NSCI 204. Enrollment Limit: 75.
Mr. Smith
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211.
Neuroscience Laboratory
2
hours Most recent syllabus
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.
Ms. Bianchi, Ms. McCormick, Mr. Smith
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313.
Molecular Approaches in Neurobiological Research
5 hours Most recent syllabus
First Semester. This combination lecture/lab/discussion course is open
to students interested in learning the concepts of molecular biology
and how specific techniques have been used to advance the understanding
of nervous system function. The course will focus primarily on studies
of inner ear and neural development. Students will be guided in designing
and completing experiments realted to the topics discussed in class.
Students may periodically need to complete lab assignments outside of
designated times. Prerequisites: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204 and BIOL
213, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 12.
Ms. Bianchi
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319.
Neurophysiology: Neurons to Networks to Behavior
3 hours
QPh Most recent syllabus
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
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320.
Neuroanatomy
3 hours Most recent syllabus
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.
Mr. Braford
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321.
Studies in Neuronal Function
2 hours Most recent syllabus
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
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324.
Laboratory in Neuroanatomy
1 hour Most recent syllabus
First Semester. Module 2. 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 grading. Enrollment
Limit: 16.
Mr. Braford
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325.
Neuropharmacology
3 hours Most recent syllabus
This principals of synaptic transmission and signal transduction are
reviewed to better understand the ways in which drugs act in the central
nervous system and how drugs influence behavior. A neural systems approach,
rather than a pharmacological approach to drugs, is emphasized. Topics
such as addiction, drugs and mental illness, drug effects on learning,
sleep, pain, and weight control will be covered. Prerequisite: NSCI
201 or 204 or consent of the instructor. Note: Neuroscience, Biopsychology
and Psychology majors given priority. Enrollment Limit: 25.
Mr. Smith
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327.
Neuropharmacology Laboratory
1 hour Most recent
syllabus
This laboratory is designed to introduce students to a selected number
of procedures used to explore the actions of drugs on the nervous system.
The lab focuses on biochemical (HPLC), cellular (hippocampal slice)
and behavioral approaches for understanding drug action. Corequisite:
NSCI 325. Notes: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Neuroscience, Biopsychology,
and Psychology majors given priority. Enrollment Limit: 10.
Mr. Smith
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331.
Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
3 hours Most recent syllabus
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
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332.
Neuroendocrine Research Methods
2 hours
WRi Most recent syllabus
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
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339.
Developmental Neurobiology
3 hours Most recent syllabus
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
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341.
Laboratory in Developmental Neurobiology
1 hour Most recent syllabus
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 or P/NP grading.
Enrollment Limit: 12.
Ms. Bianchi
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343. The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
3 hours
Most recent syllabus
The principles
of neural plasticity -- how nervous systems change structurally in response
to experience -- and how memories are accessed and used will be examined
in a variety of systems. Topics may include: historical perspectives
on memory, habituation and sensitization in aplysia, neural network
models, Pavlovian conditioning, Hebbian plasticity, long-term potentiation/depression
(LTP or LTD), the developing or aging brain, hippocampal function, methods
in assessing learning, cortical re-mapping with experience, REM sleep
and learning, etc. In addition to readings in the textbook, students
will read and analyze original research papers. Second Semester. Prerequisite:
NSCI 201 or 204 or consent of the instructor. Enrollment Limit:
20. Neuroscience and Psychology majors given priority.
Mr. Myme
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350.
Behavioral Neuroscience
3 hours Most recent
syllabus
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
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400.
Neuroscience Seminar
3 hours
Most recent
syllabus
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. These 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: Neuroscience of Thought
Topics may include attention, working memory, reward, perception, consciousness
and goal directed behavior as well as breakdowns in thought processes
such as schizophrenia and ADHD. A unifying principle used to tie these
topics together will be the need for decision-making mechanisms to exist
in the brain.
Mr. Loose
Second 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
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607.
Independent Research
1-4 hours
Students may select an independent research problem for individual investigation.
Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or NSCI 204. Consent of instructor required.
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995.
Private Reading
1-3 hours
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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