Course offerings

Introduction to the field of neuroscience. Exposure to areas of practice and research, opportunities for education and training, and employment in the field. Academic and career planning for neuroscience majors. Discussion of university resources to promote student success.

Introduction to the fundamental principles of neuroscience. Structures and function of central nervous system in humans and other animals, signal processing and transmission, development of neural and brain circuits, encoding and transmission of sensory and perceptual information, motor control/movement. Prerequisite: BIOL 1105 or ISC 1106.

Organization and function of the nervous system. Neuroanatomy, microscopy, intracellular simulation, extracellular recording, electrophysiology, neurotransmitters, and neuroplasticity. Corequisite: NEUR  2025

Complex brain processes including learning, memory, emotion, decision making, social behavior, and mental health and functioning. Prerequisite: NEUR 2025.

Receptive field, sensation and perception, motor system, simple neural circuitry, neuroendocrine and higher level cognitive processes. 
Corequisite: NEUR  2026. Prerequisite: NEUR 2035

Social, ethical, and legal issues faced by human societies from the perspective of neuroscience. Broader questions about how neuroscience informs education, medicine, law, and public health. Research in neuroscience as it relates to issues of mental health, poverty, stress, and politics.

Introduction to the conceptual framework of contemporary experimental methods and practices in neuroscience research. Exploration of experimental techniques including electrophysiology, advanced imaging, immunohistochemistry, transgenic animal models, and behavioral assays. Includes face-to-face interaction with various research faculty to explore research methods in practice and discuss current research and expertise. Prerequisite: NEUR 2025 & 2035.

Exploration of careers in clinical. Introduction to neuroanatomy, clinical presentation of neurological diseases, application of neuroscientific research to clinical practice, and clinical treatments. Ethical challenges in clinical practice. Burnout and resilience.

Fundamental principles of cellular and molecular neuroscience. Methods to study neurochemisty and neurobiology, theoretical and practical issues of relating cellular/molecular structures and functions to higher-level nervous system functioning, and current understanding of cellular/molecular bases of nervous system disorders. Prerequisite: NEUR 2025 and CHEM 1036 OR ISC 2105

Role of evolution and natural selection in shaping genetic, molecular, and cellular components of brain within invertebrates and vertebrates through modern humans. Evolution of molecules and cells in the brain. Comparing brain structure and function between invertebrates and vertebrates, including evolution of animal and human cognition and behavior. Adaptations of brain structure and function necessary for human cognition, emotion, language, and intelligence. Pre-req: NEUR 2026.

Concepts in cognitive neuroscience. Methods available to study brain and nervous system function, theoretical and practical issues of relating mental functions to biological brain functions. Overview of current understanding of the neural bases of various mental functions (e.g., memory, attention, emotion, decision making). Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Foundation of social interactions in human and non-human: ability to learn and memorize locations, situations, individuals, facts and tasks forms. Cellular and molecular mechanism underlying learning and memory and model systems. Approaches to these processes along with diseases presenting with learning and memory deficits in humans. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Introduction to brain-machine interactions and computer models of neural systems. Exploration of brain-computer interface applications, biophysically-based computational models of the brain, and computer neural networks in the context of artificial intelligence. Emphasis on the capabilities and limitations of neural networks and how they inform our understanding of the human brain. Discussion of societal impact and ethical considerations. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026 & MATH 1026/1226

Comprehensive survey of the interrelationships between human neural and endocrine systems. Regulatory mechanisms for neural control of hormone secretions, peripheral hormone action on physiological processes, and hormonal influences on behavior.

History of addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Neurocircuitry and molecular basis of the brain affected by common drugs of abuse. Overview of the use, abuse, liability, and psychotherapeutic effects of drugs on humans. Common classes of drug abuse: alcohol, sedatives, tobacco/nicotine, opioids, cannabinoids, psychostimulants, psychedelics, steroids, anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Animal models in drug addiction studies. Current and future pharmacotherapeutics for drug addiction treatment and ethical considerations of treatments. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Common brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders ranging from trauma to autism. Genetic, molecules and cellular changes in disease. Therapeutic implications and development of novel drugs. Challenges in drug discovery and implementation of personalized medicine. Ethical issues regarding genetic findings. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044

Integration of methods and results from cutting-edge interdisciplinary neuroscience research; theoretical and practical issues when linking molecular/cellular structures and processes to higher-level neurological and psychological functions. Topics vary each semester and include the following: The Sexual Brain, Sense the World, Neuroplasticity, Neuroscience and the Mind, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Drugs and Disease, Rhythms of the Brain, and Stress and the Brain. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044 OR 3084

Genetic, molecular, and cellular processes underlying brain development and neural circuit formation, including neural induction, cell differentiation, cell fate determination, axon guidance, neuronal migration, synapse formation, and cell death. Neurodevelopment processes in vertebrate and invertebrate animal models. Molecular and cellular underpinnings of neurodevelopmental disorders. Pre-req: NEUR 3044

Concepts of classical, modern genetics and epigenetics as it relates to neuroscience. Practical applications including genome-wide association (GWAS), next-generation sequencing, epigenetics, genome editing and screening methods. Use of model organisms in neurogenetic disorders research. Relationship of genetics and its influences on theoretical and practical issues in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Personalized medicine in neurodevelopmental and neurogenetic disorders. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044

Neural processes related to reward, learning, reflection, delay of gratification, and social interaction. Clinical uses of neuroeconomics research techniques. Implications of neuroeconomics in economics, policy, law and business. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026 or ECON 3104

Introduction to the fundamental principles of neuroscience. Structures and function of central nervous system in humans and other animals, signal processing and transmission, development of neural and brain circuits, encoding and transmission of sensory and perceptual information, motor control/movement. Prerequisite: BIOL 1105 or ISC 1106.

Organization and function of the nervous system. Neuroanatomy, microscopy, intracellular simulation, extracellular recording, electrophysiology, neurotransmitters, and neuroplasticity. Corequisite: NEUR  2025

Complex brain processes including learning, memory, emotion, decision making, social behavior, and mental health and functioning. Prerequisite: NEUR 2025.

Receptive field, sensation and perception, motor system, simple neural circuitry, neuroendocrine and higher level cognitive processes. 
Corequisite: NEUR  2026. Prerequisite: NEUR 2035

Social, ethical, and legal issues faced by human societies from the perspective of neuroscience. Broader questions about how neuroscience informs education, medicine, law, and public health. Research in neuroscience as it relates to issues of mental health, poverty, stress, and politics.

Exploration of careers in clinical. Introduction to neuroanatomy, clinical presentation of neurological diseases, application of neuroscientific research to clinical practice, and clinical treatments. Ethical challenges in clinical practice. Burnout and resilience.

Fundamental principles of cellular and molecular neuroscience. Methods to study neurochemisty and neurobiology, theoretical and practical issues of relating cellular/molecular structures and functions to higher-level nervous system functioning, and current understanding of cellular/molecular bases of nervous system disorders. Prerequisite: NEUR 2025 and CHEM 1036 OR ISC 2105

Concepts in cognitive neuroscience. Methods available to study brain and nervous system function, theoretical and practical issues of relating mental functions to biological brain functions. Overview of current understanding of the neural bases of various mental functions (e.g., memory, attention, emotion, decision making).
Pre-req: NEUR 2026.

Foundation of social interactions in human and non-human: ability to learn and memorize locations, situations, individuals, facts and tasks forms. Cellular and molecular mechanism underlying learning and memory and model systems. Approaches to these processes along with diseases presenting with learning and memory deficits in humans.
Prerequesite: NEUR 2026.

Integration of the interdisciplinary fields of neuroscience: includes the conceptual frameworks and theories of neuroscience spanning molecules to behavior, the methods available to study nervous system structure and function from molecules to behavior, theoretical and practical issues of linking these lower-levels structures and processes to higher-level neurological and psychological functions, and the latest applications and technologies for translating neuroscience into more effective interventions and treatments. Practical experience includes literature review research and writing, data analysis and interpretation, written and oral presentation, and site-specific training. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026 and NEUR 2554.

Neurobiological and clinical aspects of psychiatry. Overview of disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Neurobiology of emotional behavior. Clinical perspectives of psychiatric treatment, interventional psychiatry, and cross-disciplinary approaches to psychiatry. Underlying pathophysiology of a variety of psychiatric disorders. Neuropharmacology of commonly used psychiatric medications. Ethical issues related to psychiatric care. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Comprehensive survey of the interrelationships between human neural and endocrine systems. Regulatory mechanisms for neural control of hormone secretions, peripheral hormone action on physiological processes, and hormonal influences on behavior.

Introduction to computational and systems neuroscience. Data analysis and signal processing techniques for neural data. Neural modeling to include mean field models, Hodgkin-Huxley models, integrate and fire models. Neural engineering and brain machine interface (BMI) applications. Prerequisite: MATH 1226

History of addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Neurocircuitry and molecular basis of the brain affected by common drugs of abuse. Overview of the use, abuse, liability, and psychotherapeutic effects of drugs on humans. Common classes of drug abuse: alcohol, sedatives, tobacco/nicotine, opioids, cannabinoids, psychostimulants, psychedelics, steroids, anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Animal models in drug addiction studies. Current and future pharmacotherapeutics for drug addiction treatment and ethical considerations of treatments. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Neurological and psychological factors associated with military and war. Neuroscientific basis of decision making, mental resilience, and cognitive enhancement. Etiology and treatment of brain injuries sustained during war including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and chemical warfare. Neurotechnological advances that shape soldiers and warfare. Ethical considerations of “militarization” of neuroscience. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Bidirectional communication between the brain and body impacts our daily functioning as well as long-term physical and mental health. This course will explore various aspects and modes of interaction between the brain and periphery with an emphasis on the endocrine, immune, and digestive systems (the gut-brain axis and microbiome). Through close review and discussions of primary literature, we will discover how disturbances at the brain-body interface may underlie several pathological states and evaluate potential therapeutic opportunities presented. We will also learn how these interdisciplinary questions are scientifically addressed, including the tools and experimental model systems used to gain a comprehensive understanding of brain-body interactions at the whole-organism level. Prerequisite: NEUR 2026

Common brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders ranging from trauma to autism. Genetic, molecules and cellular changes in disease. Therapeutic implications and development of novel drugs. Challenges in drug discovery and implementation of personalized medicine. Ethical issues regarding genetic findings. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044

Integration of methods and results from cutting-edge interdisciplinary neuroscience research; theoretical and practical issues when linking molecular/cellular structures and processes to higher-level neurological and psychological functions. Topics vary each semester and include the following: The Sexual Brain, Sense the World, Neuroplasticity, Neuroscience and the Mind, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Drugs and Disease, Rhythms of the Brain, and Stress and the Brain. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044 OR 3084

Immune system and its role in neurological health and psychiatric and neurological disorders. Details of cell type, functions and signaling of the peripheral and central immune system and sympathetic nervous system. Cross-talk between the brain and immune system across the blood brain barrier and circumventricular organs. Neurobiological basis and treatment options for autoimmune diseases. Role of immune system in psychiatric illness. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044

Concepts in modern drug development for neurological disorders. The study of current approaches and pitfalls for developing therapeutics for treating disorders of the central nervous system. Theoretical issues and practical applications target identification, high-throughput screening, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, preclinical testing, clinical trials, and the FDA approval process. Prerequisites: NEUR 3044 or NEUR 3914

This course will provide an overview of basic principles of neuropharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of action), and toxicology of drugs utilized for treatment of nervous system diseases and disorders. Selected topics focus on mechanisms of neurotransmission; major systems of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and neurosteroids; and major classes of drugs affecting the Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems. Prerequisite: NEUR 3044