This is an archive. The current Bates College catalog is available at https://www.bates.edu/catalog/

Catalog Archive

2014–2015

Catalog

Academics > Catalog > 2014–2015 > Courses of Instruction > NRSC

Neuroscience

Professors Dearborn (Biology) and Kahan (Psychology); Associate Professors Kleckner (Biology) and Koven (psychology, chair); Assistant Professor Castro (Psychology)

Neuroscience examines the bidirectional interrelations between the nervous system and behavior and 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. More information on the neuroscience program is available on the website (bates.edu/neuroscience).

Major Requirements

Neuroscience is a rigorous, time-intensive major with fifteen courses required, some of which have prerequisites:

1) Foundational science courses:

One of the following:
CHEM 107A. Atomic and Molecular Structure.
CH/ES 107B. Chemical Structure and Its Importance in the Environment.
FYS 398. The Chemistry of Color.

One of the following:
CHEM 108A. Chemical Reactivity.
CH/ES 108B. Chemical Reactivity in Environmental Systems.

All of the following:
BIO 190. Organismal Biology.
BIO 242. Cellular and Molecular Biology.
CHEM 217. Organic Chemistry I.
CHEM 218. Organic Chemistry II.

One of the following:
BIO 244. Biostatistics.
PSYC 218. Statistics.

2) Core neuroscience courses, which should be completed by the end of the junior year:
NS/PY 200. Introduction to Neuroscience.
BI/NS 308. Neurobiology.
NS/PY 330. Cognitive Neuroscience/Lab.
NS/PY 363. Physiological Psychology.

3) Electives. Three upper-level courses from the two elective lists below, either all three from list A or two from list A and one from list B. Students are encouraged to take these courses from different faculty members.

Students may count only BIO 476 or s44, PSYC 305 or s19, and PSYC 357 or s51B toward the major.

Students can count both PHIL 321F and 321G toward the major, but only if the third elective is drawn from List A and offered by a different department.

Only one Short Term course can count toward the major.

List A: Courses Related to Neuroscience:
BIO 319. Neurogenetics.
BIO 321. Cellular Biochemistry.
BIO 330. Advanced Genetics.
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.
BI/NS s37. Genes and Behavior.
PSYC 305. Animal Learning.
PSYC 357. Computational Neuroscience.
PSYC 361. Topics in Affective Neuroscience.
PSYC 364. Biopsychology of Smell.
PSYC 399. Junior-Senior Seminar in Biological Psychology.
PHIL 321F. Embodied Cognition and the Philosophy of Artificial Life (may count in List A or B).
PHIL 321G. Philosophical Issues in Cognitive Science (may count in List A or B).
PSYC s51B. Computational Neuroscience.

List B: Background Courses.
BIO 328. Developmental Biology.
BIO 355. Advanced Topics in Evolution.
CHEM 321. Biological Chemistry I.
ENGL 395I. Literary Imagination and Neuroscience.
MU/PY 395. Junior-Senior Seminar in Musicology: Music and the Mind.
PHIL 211. Philosophy of Science.
PHIL 213. Biomedical Ethics.
PHIL 232. Philosophy of Psychology.
PHIL 235. Philosophy of Mind.
PHIL 236. Philosophy of Knowledge.
PHIL 321F. Embodied Cognition and the Philosophy of Artificial Life (may count in List A or B).
PHIL 321G. Philosophical Issues in Cognitive Science (may count in List A or B).
PHIL s21. Science of the Mind.
PSYC 261. Research Methodology.
PSYC 302. Sensation and Perception.
PSYC 303. Health Psychology.
PSYC 333. Advanced Topics in Abnormal Psychology.
PSYC s19. Animal Cognition: Exploring the Minds of Birds, Bees, Chimps, and Dolphins.

4) NRSC 457 or 458. Senior Thesis.

Senior Thesis

A thesis, typically supervised by the neuroscience faculty, is required of all neuroscience majors and may be a one- or two-semester lab-based empirical project or a one-semester, library-based theoretical review and integration of the literature (NRSC 457 and/or 458). Guidelines concerning the thesis process are available on the neuroscience website.

Double Majoring in Neuroscience and Biological Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology

Students may not double major in neuroscience and biological chemistry, biology, chemistry, or psychology.

Students planning to minor in chemistry may not use CHEM 321 toward both the chemistry minor and the neuroscience major.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

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

Courses
NS/PY 200. Introduction to Neuroscience.
In this course, students learn how the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems support 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, linguistics, computer science) have contributed. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or any 100-level biology course. Not open to students who have received credit for PSYC 215. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 50. Normally offered every year. J. Castro, N. Koven.
Concentrations

This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations

BI/NS 308. Neurobiology/Lab.
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 from nerve cells, computer simulation and modeling, and the use of molecular techniques in neurobiology. Prerequisite(s): BIO 242. Enrollment limited to 12 per laboratory section. Normally offered every year. [L] [Q] [S] N. Kleckner.
Concentrations

This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations

NS/PY 330. Cognitive Neuroscience/Lab.
This course explores how the neurological organization of the brain influences the way people think, feel, and act. Particular emphasis is given to the brain systems that support object recognition, spatial processing, attention, language, memory, executive functions, and emotion. Students also investigate clinical syndromes and unusual cognitive phenomena. A wide range of research techniques is introduced, including positron emission topography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, neuropsychological assessment, event-related potentials, magnetoencephalography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Prerequisite(s): NS/PY 200 or 363 or PSYC 215, 222, or 230. Enrollment limited to 40. Normally offered every year. N. Koven.
Concentrations

This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations

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.
Interdisciplinary Programs

This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)

NS/PY 363. Physiological Psychology/Lab.
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, development of neurosurgical and histological skills, and behavioral testing of rodents. Prerequisite(s): NS/PY 200 or BI/NS 308. Normally offered every year. [L] J. Castro.
Concentrations

This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations

NRSC 457. Senior Thesis in Neuroscience.
Independent laboratory research in neuroscience under the supervision of a faculty member. Students register for NRSC 457 in the fall semester and/or for NRSC 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both NRSC 457 and 458. [W3] Normally offered every year. Staff.
Interdisciplinary Programs

This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)

NRSC 458. Senior Thesis in Neuroscience.
Independent laboratory research in neuroscience under the supervision of a faculty member. 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. [W3] Normally offered every year. Staff.
Interdisciplinary Programs

This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)

NRSC 460. Cellular Neuroscience Research Seminar.
Cellular neuroscience encompasses many subfields that include the interaction of different molecules in determining neuron and glial cell behavior. This course focuses on the molecules necessary for development, regeneration, and excitability of individual neurons and utilizes model organisms such as zebrafish and pond snails. Students engage in various research-related activities and attend seminars by experts in the fields of cellular neuroscience. Students work individually or in groups to design novel hypotheses based on a close reading of the literature and write research proposals that explain how to test those hypotheses. Prerequisite(s): BIO 242 and one of the following: BI/NS 308, BIO 328 or 337, or NS/PY 363. New course beginning Fall 2015. Not open to students who have received credit for BIO 460. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission is required. [W3] Normally offered every year. N. Kleckner.
Short Term Courses
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. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every year. Staff.
Interdisciplinary Programs

This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)