Current Course Schedule

NEUROSCI Courses for Fall 2012

House Course

A Tour Inside Your Brain. Whether you have existing knowledge about Neuroscience or Psychology, or are simply curious about the brain, this course is intended to guide you through some of the most interesting advancements in neuroscience, providing a framework for exploring the power of the brain. Instructors: Tuğçe Çapraz (‘14) and Michael Farruggia (‘14).

Gateway Courses

NEUROSCI 101(101) Biological Basis of Behavior. An introduction to the methods, models, and reasoning that have led to discoveries about brain-behavior relations. Topics covered include: Nervous system development and function, brain anatomy, the biological basis of visual auditory, taste and smell perception, learning, memory, reward, drugs and addiction, psychological and neurological disorders, feeding, and sex. Prerequisite: Basic biology background at high school or college level. Instructor: Williams.

Core Courses

NEUROSCI 201(114) Fundamentals of Neuroscience. Introduction to neuroscience, including: basic physiology; microstructure and anatomy of neural tissues; mechanisms of neuronal development and integration; sensory-motor control; auditory, visual, and olfactory systems; the neural foundations of animal behavior; and the evolution of nervous systems. Emphasis on the development and critical evaluation of neuronal theories of brain function using biochemical, mathematical, and/or deductive/inductive models of reasoning and experimentation. Prerequisite: Chemistry 31L or equivalent; NEUROSCI101 is required for Neuroscience majors; must have completed or be currently enrolled in Biology 101L or 102L; not recommended for First-Year students. Instructor: Meck.
NEUROSCI 212(112) Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience. The biological bases of higher brain function (e.g. learning, memory, perception, attention, language etc), with an emphasis on human brain function at the macroscopic network-level. Prerequisite: Gateway class in neuroscience or PSY 92 for psychology majors. Instructor: Egner.

Elective Courses

Research Electives (Independent Studies require completion of at least 2 NEUROSCI classes)

NEUROSCI 150(50) Research Practicum. Introduction to faculty-directed research, often preparing the student for independent study. (at least 6 hrs/week) Instructor: Neuroscience Faculty.
NEUROSCI 493(191) Research Independent Study 1. Individual research in a field of special interest, under the supervision of a faculty member, resulting in a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Meets general requirement of a curriculum Research (“R”) course. (at least 10-12 hrs/wk) Open to all qualifying students with consent of supervising instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. May be repeated. Continued in NEUROSCI 494,495,496. Instructor: Neuroscience Faculty.
NEUROSCI 494(192) Research Independent Study 2. See 493.
NEUROSCI 495(new) Research Independent Study 3. See 493.
NEUROSCI 496(new) Research Independent Study 4. See 493.

Focus Classes for First Year Students (only one may count towards major requirements)

NEUROSCI 193FS(093FCS) Neurobiology of Mind. Introduction to the fundamental principles of brain organization and mechanisms. Open only to students in the Focus Program. Instructor: Hall
NEUROSCI 111FS Neuroscience of Reading and Language. **NEW!**
NEUROSCI 216FS(133FCS) Neuroscience and Human Language. Language Same as Linguist 133S; open only to students in the Focus Program. Prerequisite: Advanced placement credit in Biology. Instructor: Andrews.

Regular Elective Courses

NEUROSCI 241D(132) Flaubert’s Brain: Neurohumanities. Consideration of realist fiction of Gustave Flaubert from social and cognitive neuroscience perspective. Investigation of implications of Flaubert’s illustration of cognitive, affective, and somatic experiences of his characters, and his own experience, e.g. lapses of consciousness, convulsions, heightened emotions. Use of digital resources to chart emerging discourses and patterns in documentation of neuropathology, while attempting to define unique properties of fiction as literary technology, e.g. by consideration of realist mimesis as analogous to mapping and other technologies documenting brain function/dysfunction. Lecture in English, with discussion sections in English or French. Instructor: Jenson.
NEUROSCI 258(132) Decision Neuroscience. How new research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and behavioral economics shapes our understanding of decision making. Topics include functional organization of key brain systems, approaches to measuring and interpreting neuroscience data, methods for measuring decision-making behavior, economic and cognitive modeling, and impact of neuroscience on real-world decision-making. Emerging topics will include applications in policy, marketing, and finance. Prior coursework in neuroscience or decision sciences is strongly recommended. Instructor: Huettel.
NEUROSCI 277(177) Looking Inside the Disordered Brain. What brain circuits give rise to the dazzling diversity of human behavior, and how do even subtle disturbances within these circuits lead to abnormal behavior or psychopathology? This course provides students with a working knowledge of the brain circuits that create order in our social, emotional and cognitive worlds, and how disorder within these circuits leads to a broad range of psychopathology including depression, anxiety, phobias, PTSD, OCD, addiction, autism, schizophrenia, psychopathology and violence. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience or consent of instructor. Instructor: Hariri.
NEUROSCI 281(167) Neuroscientific Approaches to Social Behavior. Incorporates social psychological questions and cognitive neuroscience methodologies to answer questions of social behavior and neural function. Covers a variety of scientific methods commonly used in social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, philosophy, computer science, developmental psychology, evolutionary anthropology, behavioral economics, and behavioral neuroscience, among others. Surveys the more common of these methodologies, focuses on fundamental questions in the field, prepares the student for research that address social questions relative to the brain, and neuroscience questions influenced by social behavior. Prerequisite: Gateway class in Neuroscience. Instructor: Harris.
NEUROSCI 350(133) Pharmacology: Drug Actions and Reactions. This is a concept-driven course that covers the mechanisms by which drugs act in the body. Specific topics include, basic pharmacokinetics, drug-receptor interactions, drug resistance, tolerance, toxicity, and drug interactions. The course integrates biology & chemistry by using examples of drug action on the autonomic & central nervous sytems, cardiovascular & endocrine systems, treatment of infections and cancer. Concepts from cell biology, anatomy, biochemistry, neurochemistry & physiology are covered. Prerequisite: Gateway class in Neuroscience; Bio 101L is highly recommended. Instructor: Schwartz-Bloom.
NEUROSCI 366S Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. **NEW!** Empirical work and theoretical papers on the neurohormonal modulation of reproduction, social attachment, rhythms, sexual differentiation, mood, learning and memory; decision making will be discussed using both human students and animal models. The course will consider perspectives on topics ranging from mechanisms of hormone action in brain to influences of the environment on neuroendocrine systems, to clinical and ethical issues involved in the administration of hormones. Team based learning and interactive research paper required. Course will fulfill the University Writing requirement Prerequisite: Gateway class in neuroscience, and a strong background in Psychology, chemistry, biology, or evolutionary anthropology recommended Instructor: C. Williams.
NEUROSCI 373(166) Behavioral Neuroimmunology: Brain and Behavior in Health and Disease. An exploration of the interactions among the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, and their consequences for neural function and behavior, using examples from both the human and animal literatures. Topics include the role of the immune system in cognition and emotions, neuroendocrine-immune interactions during stress, and the effects of stress on health and disease. The potential role of infections in the etiology of psychopathology (autism, schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative conditions (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s) will also be discussed. Prerequisite: one of the following: Gateway class in Neuroscience and/or Fundamentals of Neuroscience or equivalent. Instructor: Bilbo.

Laboratories and Methods Electives

NEUROSCI 380L(173L) Functional Anatomy of the Human Brain. (Lab) Overview of the structure of the human brain and spinal cord with team-based learning approaches and laboratory-based discover. Hands-on examination of human brain specimens with guided explorations of external and internal brain structures. Dissections of human brains to facilitate discovery. Extensive use of interactive digital media to explore the gross anatomy of the central nervous system and the organization of the major neural systems underlying sensory, motor and cognitive function. Analysis of actual clinical cases representing a variety of neurological disorders. Minimum prerequisites: NEUROSCI 101 OR 201(114) and instructor consent. Instructor: White.
NEUROSCI 385L(190L) Integrative Neuroscience. (Lab) Working in teams, a single neuroscience research question across multiple levels of analysis will be examined using molecular (PCR), cellular (live-cell imaging) and behavioral techniques. Prerequisites: Gateway class in NEUROSCI and NEUROSCI 201(114) and BIO 101L or 102L. Instructor: Roberts.

Advanced Electives

NEUROSCI 421S(242S) Biology of Nervous System Diseases. Primary literature investigating the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of nervous system disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), mental illness, and epilepsy. Prerequisite: Neuroscience 201(114) or 223 or Biology 220 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Sherwood, Nina.
NEUROSCI 427S(227S) Current Topics in Sensory Biology. Exploration of recent and classic studies in sensory biology. Actual topics are chosen by students at the start of the semester. Usually includes vision, hearing, smell, taste, pheromones, electroreception, magnetoreception, bioluminescence, touch, time, and music. Prerequisites: Bio 25L, or Bio 101L and 102L, or the equivalent, and one course in Neuroscience, or consent of instructor. Instructor: Johnsen.
NEUROSCI 461S(161S) Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. The literature on neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory. Readings on important historical discoveries; studies on the processes whereby the brain encodes and stores information. Readings selected to integrate information from neuroanatomical, behavioral, neurochemical, and neurophysiological experiments related to memory. Prerequisite: Psychology 112, 135, 136 or Biology 115/Neuroscience 115 or permission of instructor. Instructor: Roberts.
NEUROSCI 473S(169S) The Pain System: Function and Dysfunctions. The physiological basis of the pain system and its role in everyday life. Pain system disorders and dysfunctions, such as phantom limb pain, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia are discussed in terms of biological mechanisms and the perceptions and experiences of patients. Practice reading and writing scientific papers. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience or NEUROSCI 114. Instructor: Murphy.
NEUROSCI 503(253) Computational Neuroengineering.
NEUROSCI 521S(244S) Visual Processing. Focus on understanding how visual systems adapt to an animal’s requirement. About a third of the course will focus on understanding the evolutionary processes that shape the visual system. The remaining 2/3 will focus on understanding the neural processes underlying vision. A comparative approach—comparing invertebrate vs. vertebrate vision will be used to highlight different ways in which visual information is processed. Introduction of methods used to study vision (and brain function) from “single molecules to whole organism.” Prereq: Bio 101L or Bio 102L and one course in Neurosciences. Instructor: Bhandawat.
NEUROSCI 533(233) Essentials of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Drug absorption, distribution, excretion, and metabolism. Structure and activity relationships; drug and hormone receptors and target cell responses. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite: introductory biology; Chemistry 151L; Mathematics 31 and 32. Instructor: Slotkin and staff.

NEUROSCI Courses planned for Spring 2013

Gateway Courses

NEUROSCI 101 Biological Basis of Behavior. An introduction to the methods, models, and reasoning that have led to discoveries about brain-behavior relations. Topics covered include: Nervous system development and function, brain anatomy, the biological basis of visual auditory, taste and smell perception, learning, memory, reward, drugs and addiction, psychological and neurological disorders, feeding, and sex. Prerequisite: Basic biology background at high school or college level. Instructor: Williams.

Core Courses

NEUROSCI 211(116) Brain and Behavior. Introduces students to behavioral neuroscience—the study of how the brain generates behavior. Focus on detailed biological mechanisms underlying specific behaviors in many organisms, especially mammals. Topics covered include control of movement, sleep, learning and memory, motivation, emotion, and decision-making. Prerequisite (one of the following): Gateway class in Neuroscience and/or NEUROSCI 201(114). Instructor: Yin.
NEUROSCI 223115 Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. Molecular and cellular components underlying nervous system function. Topics include the regulation of the neuronal cytoskeleton, process outgrowth and axon guidance, transport mechanisms, the generation and propagation of the action potential, components of the presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals, growth factors in development and regeneration, neuronal stem cells, and sensory signal transduction. Lectures by the instructor and expert guests, with regular readings of current and/or historical primary literature. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience and BIO 25L or 101L or equivalent. Instructor: Sherwood and Volkan.

Elective Courses

Research Electives (Independent Studies require completion of at least 2 NEUROSCI classes)

NEUROSCI 150(50) Research Practicum. Introduction to faculty-directed research, often preparing the student for independent study. (at least 6 hrs/week) Instructor: Neuroscience Faculty.
NEUROSCI 493(191) Research Independent Study 1. Individual research in a field of special interest, under the supervision of a faculty member, resulting in a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Meets general requirement of a curriculum Research (“R”) course. (at least 10-12 hrs/wk) Open to all qualifying students with consent of supervising instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. May be repeated. Continued in NEUROSCI 494,495,496. Instructor: Neuroscience Faculty.
NEUROSCI 494(192) Research Independent Study 2. See 493.
NEUROSCI 495(new) Research Independent Study 3. See 493.
NEUROSCI 496(new) Research Independent Study 4. See 493.

Regular Elective Courses

NEUROSCI 267(137) Neuroethics. Focus on emerging ethical controversies concurrent with advances in neuroscience. Background material covered: concepts and methods in neuroscience; theories of ethics and morality from philosophy, law, and other fields. Ethical topics covered: biological bases of morality; emotions and decision making; neuroeconomics and neuromarketing; pathologies of mind and behavior; volition and legal culpability. Course format: combined lectures, discussion, interactive activities, with case studies and real-world examples (e.g., neuroimaging as legal evidence). Prerequisite: Prior coursework in neuroscience and/or ethical inquiry. Instructors: Huettel, Sinnott-Armstrong.
NEUROSCI 280(147) Social and Affective Neuroscience. Understanding how individual, interpersonal, and intergroup behaviors are processed in the brain. Topics include neuroscience of self- and group identity, self-regulation, social and affective communication, stereotyping, pro- and anti-social behavior, power motivation, group cooperation and competition, and cultural differences in emotion processing. Pre-requisites: Gateway course in Neuroscience or PSY 112 or NEUROSCI 114. Instructor: LaBar.
NEUROSCI 301L(201L) Electrophysiology. The electrophysiology of excitable cells from a quantitative perspective. Topics include the ionic basis of action potentials, the Hodgkin-Huxley model, impulse propagation, source-field relationships, and an introduction to functional electrical stimulation. Students choose a relevant topic area for detailed study and report. Not open to students who have taken Biomedical Engineering 101L or equivalent. Instructor: Barr, Bursac, Grill, Henriquez.
NEUROSCI 360(135) Drugs, Brain and Behavior. Mechanisms by which psychoactive drugs act. Changes that occur with chronic use of drugs; drug abuse and dependence. Social and legal implications of psychoactive drugs. Designed for both science and nonscience majors. Emphasis on the reasoning, research designs, and methods for understanding drug effects. Prerequisite: Gateway class in Neuroscience; Introductory Biology and Chemistry. Instructor: Kuhn.
NEUROSCI xxx Neurobiology of Sport: Movement and Performance. Instructor: Murphy. **NEW!**

Laboratories and Methods Electives

NEUROSCI 382(181) Functional Neuroimaging (Methods course). Overview of use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) in the investigation of human sensory, motor, and cognitive function. Topics will include FMRI to study human brain systems involved with movement, sensation, perception, and memory. Students will design and execute a neuroimaging experiment. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience; Statistics and Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience are strongly recommended. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Diaz.
NEUROSCI 376(184A) Contempory Methods in Neuroscience. Examine the wide spectrum of methods commonly used in the field. Techniques range from molecular/genetic to electrophysiology and whole brain imaging. Includes interaction with scientist practicing the technique, virtual lab experiment and data analysis. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience or consent of the instructor. Instructor: Roberts.
NEUROSCI 385L(190L) Integrative Neuroscience Lab. Working in teams, a single neuroscience research question across multiple levels of analysis will be examined using molecular (PCR), cellular (live-cell imaging) and behavioral techniques. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience and BIO 101L or 102L and NEUROSCI 114. Instructor: Roberts.

Advanced Electives

NEUROSCI 422(239) Neural Circuits and Behavior. Exploration of what is known about the operation of neural circuits used for perception and behavior. Consideration of some of the modern approaches used to study neural circuits. Both theoretical and experimental approaches will be discussed. Work done in a variety of model organisms (e.g. fruit flies, bees, electric fish, song bird, mice, primates etc.) will be used to provide insight into the function of nervous system. Prerequisite: Bio 101L or Bio 102L and 4 courses in Neuroscience. Instructor: Bhandawat.
NEUROSCI 465S(165S Neuroscience of Stress. Explores the impact of stressors, including environmental and social stressors, on brain function and behavior. Encompasses original experimental observations of adaptive responses to stress that range from molecular assessments to systems-level analyses. Research articles and text readings. Prerequisites: Gateway class in Neuroscience and NEUROSCI 201(114) or NEUROSCI 211(116) (Brain and Behavior), or prior approval from the professor. Instructor: Covington.
NEUROSCI 471S(164S) Reward and Addiction. Biological and psychological mechanisms of reward and addiction from a “molecules to mind” perspective. Topics include: neural mechanisms of reward, vulnerability to addiction, self-medication, addiction as a learning process, animal models of addiction, gateway drugs, roles of stress and impulsivity, adolescence, genetic vs. environmental predisposition, neural alterations resulting from drug intake. Prerequisite: Gateway class in Neuroscience or NEUROSCI 114 and at least 2 prior classes in neuroscience. Instructor: Schramm-Sapyta.
NEUROSCI 499S(195S) Current Research in Neuroscience. (required for Graduation with Distinction in Neuroscience). A formal research and training component of the Trinity College Forum in Neuroscience that includes review of directed reading and research in both theoretical and experimental neuroscience. Emphasis on the development of the ability to critically evaluate empirical research and to construct mathematical or deductive/inductive models. Final project includes preparation of a formal research proposal and a review of the role of ethics in science. Prerequisites: Enrollment in an independent study and consent of instructor required. Instructor: Meck and Groh.
NEUROSCI xxx Neurodevelopment. Instructor: Bilbo. **NEW!**
NEUROSCI 682S(204S) Prefrontal Cortex. Review and critical analysis of current and historical perspectives on functional neuroanatomy of the prefrontal cortex. Discussion is informed by anatomical, neuropsychological, neurological, neuroimaging, animal models, and computational approaches. Open to juniors and seniors majoring in Psychology or Neuroscience, and to graduate students. Strong neuroscience background recommended. Instructor consent required. Instructor: Egner.
NEUROSCI 685S(243S) Biological Pathways to Psychopathology. Evaluates research showing that the integration of psychology, neuroimaging, pharmacology and genetics can illuminate specific biological pathways that help shape risk for and emergence of psychopathology. Topics include the design and analysis of multimodal research (fMRI, PET, pharmacology, molecular genetics) examining the biological underpinnings of behavioral traits relevant to psychopathology. Prerequisites: Prior coursework in biological psychology and Instructor consent required. Instructor: Hariri.