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The material on this page is from the 2000-01 catalog and may be out of date. Please check the current year's catalog for current information.
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Professors: Minkoff (Biology), Kelsey (Psychology), Chair, and Nigro (Psychology); Associate Professor: McCormick (Psychology) (on leave, fall semester and Short Term); Assistant Professor: Kleckner (Biology) Neuroscience examines the bidirectional interrelations between the nervous system and behavior. As a result, neuroscience takes an interdisciplinary approach that includes perspectives from biology, psychology, chemistry, and philosophy. Neuroscience majors become familiar with neurobiology, physiological psychology, and cognitive neuroscience through classroom and laboratory experiences that include a thesis. Major Requirements. The sixteen courses required to receive a B.A. in neuroscience include four core neuroscience courses (Neuroscience 200, 308, 330, and 363), which should be completed by the end of the junior year. In addition, three 300-level courses from the two elective lists below are required. All three courses may come from list A, consisting of neuroscience-related courses. Alternatively, one course from list B, consisting of background courses, may be substituted for a course from list A. Also required are Biology 201; Biology s42; Psychology 218; Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B; Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; Chemistry 217; and Chemistry 218. Some of these courses have prerequisites. Required Thesis and Senior Seminar. At least a one-semester thesis, typically supervised by one of the three neuroscience faculty, is required of all neuroscience majors (Neuroscience 457 and/or 458). Given the difficulty of generating sufficient data in one semester, a two-semester thesis is the norm and is highly recommended, especially for those who intend to go on to graduate school. Preliminary thesis proposals are due by the end of the junior year. Seniors are also required to participate in the senior seminar in neuroscience as part of their thesis credit and to present their thesis in the form of a poster at the end of the winter semester. Pass/Fail Grading Option. Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major. Courses200. Introduction to Neuroscience. In this course, students study the structure and function of the nervous system, and how they are related to mind and behavior. Topics introduced include neuroanatomy, developmental neurobiology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuropsychiatry. The course is aimed at prospective majors and nonmajors interested in exploring a field in which biology and psychology merge, and to which many other disciplines (e.g., chemistry, philosophy, anthropology, computer science) have contributed. Required of neuroscience majors. Prerequisite(s): Psychology 101 or any 100-level biology course. This course is the same as Psychology 200. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 50. C. McCormick. 308. Neurobiology. The course is an introduction to the molecular and cellular principles of neurobiology, and the organization of neurons into networks. Also included are the topics of development and synaptic plasticity, and the role invertebrate systems have played in our understanding of these processes. Laboratories include electrical recordings of nerve cells, computer simulation and modeling, and the use of molecular techniques in neurobiology. Prerequisite(s): Biology s42. Recommended background: Neuroscience/Psychology 200. This course is the same as Biology 308. Enrollment limited to 24. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology 278. N. Kleckner. 330. Cognitive Neuroscience. The human brain is a fascinating system in terms of its structure and function. The main questions addressed in this course are: How are brain structure and organization related to how people think, feel, and behave? Conversely, how are thoughts and ideas represented in the brain? Although these questions are examined from a variety of research approaches, the main one is the study of brain-damaged individuals. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200 or 363. This course is the same as Psychology 330. Not open to students who have received credit for Psychology 230. Staff. 360. Independent Study. Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. A detailed written paper is required at the end of each semester of work. Proposals for independent study must be approved by the faculty supervisor and the program chair prior to registration. Students are limited to one independent study per semester. Staff. 363. Physiological Psychology. The course is an introduction to the concepts and methods used in the study of physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Topics include an introduction to neurophysiology and neuroanatomy; an examination of sensory and motor mechanisms; and the physiological bases of ingestion, sexual behavior, reinforcement, learning, memory, and abnormal behavior. Laboratory work includes examination of neuroanatomy and development of surgical and histological skills. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200 or Biology/Neuroscience 308. This course is the same as Psychology 363. J. Kelsey. 457, 458. Senior Thesis and Seminar in Neuroscience. Independent laboratory research in neuroscience under the supervision of a faculty member. All participants also meet as a group at least once a month to discuss topics related to neuroscience and, most especially, their theses. Students register for Neuroscience 457 in the fall semester or for Neuroscience 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Neuroscience 457 and 458. Staff. Short Term Units50. Individual Research. Registration in this unit is granted by the program only after the student has submitted a written proposal for a full-time research project to be completed during the Short Term and has secured the sponsorship of a member of the program to direct the study and evaluate results. Students are limited to one individual research unit. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Open to first-year students. Staff. Required CoursesNeuroscience/Psychology 200. Introduction to Neuroscience. Biology 201. Biological Principles (formerly 101s). Chemistry 107A. Atomic and Molecular Structure or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B. Chemical Structure and Its Importance in the Environment. Psychology 218. Statistics and Experimental Design. Elective CoursesMajors must take three courses from these two lists, either all three from list A or two from list A and one from list B. A student may count Psychology 345 or Psychology s26 toward the major, but not both. A student may count Biology 338 or Biology 320 toward the major, but not both. A student may count only one of Biology 476, s43, or s44 toward the major. In addition, only one Short Term unit from list A can count toward the major. List A: Courses Related to Neuroscience.Biology 337. Animal Physiology. Psychology 305. Animal Learning. List B: Background Courses.Biology 316. Molecular Aspects of Development. Chemistry 321. Biological Chemistry I. Philosophy 211. Philosophy of Science. Psychology 261. Research Methodology. |
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