NEUR 211 — Neuroscience I (3)
introduction to the Biological basis of behavior. emphasis is placed on an understanding of the neural substrates that underlie human behavior. Topics include neuroanatomy and neural communication; alterations in neurochemistry due to drug interactions; sensation and perception; movement and disorders of movement; Biology of mood disorders, schizophrenia, and autism.

NEUR 212 — Neuroscience II (3)
Topics include regulations of internal body states; hormones and behavior; emotional behavior and stress; neural substrates of learning and memory, including pathologies associated with dementia; Biological basis of language; introduction to human neuropsychology. This course includes the Neuroscience Program’s sophomore/junior diagnostic project. Students will present a written and oral report on an area of nervous system pathology. Prerequisite: NEUR 211.

NEUR 300 — Research Experience (1 to 3)
An opportunity for a student to engage in faculty-directed research in Neuroscience. Sophomore standing required and permission of a supervising department faculty member are required for the full 3-credit option. Students who have not obtained junior status
may earn 1 or 2 credits. each credit hour represents a three-hour commitment per week. Prerequisite/co-requisite: NEUR 211

NEUR 310 — Research Methods in Neuroscience (3)
This course is designed to familiarize the student with current research methods in Neuroscience as a preliminary step in designing an individual research project. emphasis will be placed on experimental design, data collection and analysis of results, and the use of APA format in reporting research. Students will choose an area of investigation, complete a literature review of the topic, and design a research project to be completed in the final semester of their senior year. To be taken in the fall semester of the senior year.

 

NEUR 341 — Neuroanatomy (3)
The neuroanatomy course provides a broad overview of the structure and function of the central nervous system, with a principal focus on issues relevant to clinical neurology. Students will learn to identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord and to understand the structural and functional relationships between these structures and to apply this knowledge to the clinical situation.

 

NEUR 342 — Drugs and Behavior (3)
drug abuse is our nation’s number one health and social problem. in this course, we will examine the use and abuse of drugs from many perspectives: social, legal, medical, pharmacological and psychological. Beginning with a basic coverage of how the brain controls behavior, we will look at how drugs interact with the brain to have such powerful effects on behavior. Topics will include the medical use of drugs (including over-the-counter and psycho-therapeutic drugs), the illegal abuse of drugs like heroin and cocaine, and the use and abuse of non-drugs like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Cross-listed as PSYC 342.

 

NEUR 345 — Biology of Mental Illness (3)
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the various theories that focus on the Biological causes of a number of mental illnesses including: major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. A major part of the course will be focused on how the current medications work and what we can learn about the possible cause of the illness based on this information. Cross-listed as PSYC 345.

 

NEUR 346 — Psychopharmacology (3)
This course surveys what is currently known about the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders and the use of psychoactive drugs to treat them. Starting with the basics of the brain/ behavior relationship and principles of pharmacology, we will cover the symptoms and treatment of the affective disorders, anxiety disorders and the schizophrenias, among others. Also included will be the psychological aspects and pharmacotherapy of the neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea and Alzheimer’s disease. Cross-listed as PSYC 346.

 

NEUR 348 — Sensation and Perception (3)
This course deals with how we construct a conception of physical reality from sensory experience. While the primary focus will be on vision and hearing, the chemical senses
(taste and smell) the somatosenses (touch, temperature and vibration) will also be ad- dressed. We will cover the anatomy and physiology of the various sensory receptors, the neural mechanisms of sensation, sensory representation in the brain, as well as the phenomenological experience of perception. Topics will include the ways in which illusions can fool our senses and what they tell us about how our sensory systems work. Cross-listed as PSYC 348.

 

NEUR 349 — Animal Behavior (4)
The study of behavior has become complex, requiring knowledge in more than one discipline. in this class students will learn about animal behavior from a physiological, developmental, functional, and evolutionary perspective. Areas of concentration will include behavioral genetics, communication, behavioral endocrinology, altruism, neurobiology, social behavior, sexual behavior, parental care, and human behavior. Lab activities will include both laboratory study and field work. Cross-listed as BIOL 349 and PSYC 349.

 

NEUR 390 — Special Topics in Neuroscience (3)
A course offered periodically, in an area of expertise by a member of the Neuroscience faculty. The course will concentrate on a topical area such as the neural substrates of learning and memory, neurodegenerative disorders, and neuropsychology. Junior standing. Prerequisite: NEUR 212.

 

NEUR 395 — Supervised Readings (3)
A course designed for students who want to review psychological literature in an area of their choice, under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member. Generally, this will allow students to either become more familiar with an area covered in existing courses; or explore fields of neuroscience that are not part of existing curricula. This course is not designed as a substitute for taking of existing courses in the regular manner. Pass/Fail option may be required at the discretion of the instructor. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 12 credits in Neuroscience or permission of the department.

 

NEUR 430 — Independent Research (3)
An opportunity for a student to engage in independent research in a specific area of Neuroscience. Junior or senior status required, and permission of a supervising department faculty member. Prerequisites: NEUR 212.

 

NEUR 480 — Senior Seminar (3)
The senior seminar is the Neuroscience Program’s Senior integrated Assessment course. Students will engage in original research in a specific area of Neuroscience. The research project will be under the direction of a faculty member, and will include a written thesis and oral presentation. To be taken in the spring semester of the senior year.

 

NEUR 490 — Advanced Neuroscience Research (3)

Students will engage in research under the direction of a faculty member, and will include a thesis and oral presentation. Normally taken in the spring semester of the junior year or in the senior year.

 

NEUR 499 — Neuroscience Internship
Approval of the psychology department chair is required. A minimum G.P.A. of 2.40 is required.