Professor Kelsey (Psychology; chair); Associate Professors Pelliccia (Biology), Low (Psychology), McCormick (Psychology), and Kleckner (Biology)

Neuroscience examines the bidirectional interrelations between the nervous system and behavior. 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.

Cross-listed Courses. Note that unless otherwise specified, when a department/program references a course or unit in the department/program, it includes courses and units cross-listed with the department/program.

Major Requirements. The sixteen courses required to receive a B.A. in neuroscience include four core neuroscience courses (Neuroscience/Psychology 200, 330, 363 and Biology/Neuroscience 308), which should be completed by the end of the junior year. In addition, three upper-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 and s42; Psychology 218; Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B; Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; Chemistry 217 and 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 or oral presentation at the end of the winter semester.

Pass/Fail Grading Option. Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.

Required Courses

NS/PY 200. Introduction to Neuroscience.
NS/BI 308. Neurobiology.
NS/PY 330. Cognitive Neuroscience.
NS/PY 363. Physiological Psychology.
NRSC 457 or 458. Senior Thesis and Seminar in Neuroscience.

BIO 201. Biological Principles.
BIO s42. Cellular and Molecular Biology.

CHEM 107A. Atomic and Molecular Structure or CH/ES 107B. Chemical Structure and Its Importance in the Environment.
CHEM 108A. Chemical Reactivity or CH/ES 108B. Chemical Reactivity in Environmental Systems.
CHEM 217. Organic Chemistry I.
CHEM 218. Organic Chemistry II.

PSYC 218. Statistics and Experimental Design.

Elective Courses

Majors must take three courses from these two lists, either all three from list A or two from list A and one from list B. Students are encouraged to take these courses from three different faculty members. A student may count Biology 362 or Psychology 305 toward the major, but not both. A student may count only one of Biology 320, Biology 338, or Psychology 362 toward the major. Only one Short Term unit from list A can count toward the major.

List A: Courses Related to Neuroscience.

BIO 331. Molecular Biology.
BIO 337. Animal Physiology.
BIO 338. Drug Actions on the Nervous System.
BIO 351. Immunology.
BIO 476. Seminar and Research in Neurobiology.
BIO s44. Experimental Neuro/Physiology.

PSYC 305. Animal Learning.
PSYC 355. Behavioral Endocrinology.
PSYC 362. Psychopharmacology: How Drugs Affect Behavior.
PSYC 401. Junior-Senior Seminar in Biological Psychology.
PSYC s31. Animal Models of Behavioral Disorders.

List B: Background Courses.

BIO 320. Pharmacology.
BIO 352. Membrane and Receptor Biology.

CHEM 321. Biological Chemistry I.

PHIL 211. Philosophy of Science.
PHIL 232. Philosophy of Psychology.
PHIL 235. Philosophy of Mind and Language.
PHIL 236. Theory of Knowledge.
PHIL s26. Biomedical Ethics.

PSYC 261. Research Methodology.
PSYC 302. Sensation and Perception.
PSYC 303. Health Psychology.
PSYC 333. Topics in Abnormal Psychology.

Courses

NS/PY 200. 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. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 50. Not open to students who have received credit for Neuroscience 200 or Psychology 200. Normally offered every year. C. McCormick.

BI/NS 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 developmental 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. Recommended background: Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Prerequisite(s): Biology s42. Enrollment limited to 12 per section. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology 308 or Neuroscience 308. Normally offered every year. N. Kleckner.

NS/PY 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 or Psychology 230. Not open to students who have received credit for Neuroscience 330 or Psychology 330. Normally offered every year. C. McCormick.

NRSC 360. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study per semester. Normally offered every semester. Staff.

NS/PY 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. Not open to students who have received credit for Neuroscience 363 or Psychology 363. Normally offered every year. J. Kelsey.

NRSC 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 and/or for Neuroscience 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Neuroscience 457 and 458. Normally offered every year. Staff.

Short Term Unit

NRSC s50. Independent Study. Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair is required. Students may register for no more than one independent study during a Short Term. Prerequisite(s): Neuroscience/Psychology 200. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every year. Staff.