Electives must include courses from at least two different departments.Up to 4 credits of Independent Research (NEUR 294,296, 394, 396) can be counted as elective credit.
- ANTH 326 - Evolution and Human Behavior (4)
A study of the basic principles of evolutionary theory as applied to the study of human social behavior. The course examines competing views on the importance of biology for understanding human behavior and considers the relationship between genes and culture.
Offered: spring semester in even-numbered years.
Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or permission of instructor.
- BIOL 254 - Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (4)
An examination of the structure and function of various physiological systems, such as circulation, respiration, and reproduction. How organs and organ systems evolved, how they function at a biochemical and biophysical level, how they are regulated, and how the functions of multiple systems are interconnected and coordinated within the whole organism. Laboratory will include the exploration of the dynamic function and regulation of human physiological systems and the study of anatomy through dissection of animal specimens.
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: BIOL 160, BIOL 250 and CHEM 160.
- BIOL 314 - Animal Behavior (4)
An investigation of the behavior of animals from an evolutionary perspective Topics to be covered include foraging, vigilance, social behavior, mating strategies, animal communication, and more. Lectures and discussions will focus on theoretical principles supported by empirical examples from organisms such as dung beetles, striped plateau lizards, song sparrows, and various primate species. Laboratories will be focused on experimental design and learning the techniques of conducting animal behavior research. Fulfills laboratory requirement for major.
Offered: spring semester in odd-numbered years.
Prerequisite: BIOL 150 and BIOL 160, or permission of instructor.
- BIOL 344 - Endocrinology (4)
A study of the structure and function of mammalian hormone systems. After a general discussion of the major classes of hormones, an in-depth exploration of individual endocrine systems involved in regulating sexual development, body fluid balance, the stress response, and other physiological processes. Topics will include the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating hormone action, the central and peripheral control of endocrine systems, and clinical correlates of endocrine dysfunction.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 250, CHEM 250.
- BIOL 358 - Diseases of the Brain (4)
An in-depth study of neurologic diseases with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. Case studies of affected patients are used to understand the relationship between the physical changes and the behavioral impairments in these diseases. Biological mechanisms to explain the pathological and clinical manifestations of the diseases are investigated. Current therapies and ongoing scientific research into novel treatments are evaluated.
Offered: annually.
Prerequisite: BIOL 250.
- BIOL 366 - Developmental Biology (4)
Examination of the principles of development and mechanisms involved in the growth , shaping, and differentiation of organisms. Topics include gene regulation in multicellular organisms, cytoplasmic determination, interactions with extracellular matrix, organ morphogenesis, and mechanisms regulating the pattern of biological structures. In the laboratory, traditional and modern biological techniques and procedures are applied to the study of development.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: BIOL 250 and CHEM 160.
- BIOL 370 - Topics in Biology (2-4)
Topics that enrich the regular biology curriculum are offered as opportunities arise. Number of credits and prerequisites vary with course topic.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
- BIOL 390 - Seminar in Biology (2)
Reports and discussions on selected topics in biology. Each student participates in weekly discussions and makes one formal presentation orally on a specific subject investigated in depth through the current literature.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 160, and BIOL 250, or permission of instructor.
- CHEM 360 - Biochemistry I (4)
A study of the fundamental principles of protein biochemistry with an introduction to cell signaling and metabolism and bioenergetics. Topics include chemistry of amino acids, basic protein structure and function, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, and regulation of enzymatic activity. The laboratory focuses on the application of biochemical principles to the solving of biological problems in living systems. Laboratory experimental methods include protein characterization, purification of enzymes, enzyme kinetic measurements, and experimental design.
Meets: Three hours class, three hours laboratory.
Offered: fall semester.
Prerequisite: CHEM 350.
- CHEM 361 - Biochemistry II (4)
Offered: spring semester.
Prerequisite: CHEM 360.
- CHEM 362 - Chemical Biology (4)
This upper-level course, open to all chemistry and biochemistry majors, as well as other students with a strong background in chemistry and molecular biology, will address the following questions: (1) What is chemical biology and (2) What can chemical biology do to advance science and human health? In this course, students will consider varying definitions of "chemical biology" and explore examples of each of these views. Topics may include small molecule screens to decipher biological networks, genetic control with small molecules, directed evolution, self-replication, and approaches towards next-generation antimicrobials.
Prerequisite: CHEM 360.
- CSCI 390 - Topics in Computer Science (4)
Topics to be determined by current events in computing and opportunities presented by visiting faculty, etc. Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Meets: weekly for at least 150 minutes.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: spring semester in odd-numbered years.
Prerequisite: Dependent on topic.
- LING 101 - Language, Communication, and Culture (4)
An introduction to the role of language and its various forms of transmission in the construction of individual and cultural identity. Topics include language and gender, language and ethnicity, language and social structures.
Offered: annually.
- LING 201 - Topics in the Study of Language (2)
The discipline of linguistics is concerned with language in all of the different ways it functions. When the material and approaches of any academic field are applied to language, that application is within the purview of linguistics. This course will expose students to some of the many areas in which language can be the topic, chosen from the following: philosophy, sociology, neurophysiology, cognitive and developmental psychology, foreign languages, evolutionary and cultural anthropology. It will draw on the expertise of professors from a variety of departments, each 'visiting scholar,' so to speak, presenting material from his or her own field as it intersects with the study of language.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
- NEUR 294 - Intermediate Independent Research: Literature Research (2)
Independent study of a specific topic in neuroscience through literature research and written literature review. Topics are chosen in consultation with an individual neuroscience faculty member, who will supervise the research. Final literature research paper or research proposal required. Suitable for students who have completed little or no advanced coursework in the area of neuroscience. Weekly one-hour seminar in addition to regular meetings with research supervisor. Offered Every Semester. Priority given to First-Year and Sophomore students.
- NEUR 296 - Intermediate Independent Research: Laboratory/Field Research (2)
Independent study of a specific question in neuroscience through laboratory or field research. Projects are chosen in consultation with an individual neuroscience faculty member, who will supervise the research. Final research report required. Suitable for students who have completed little or no advanced coursework in the area of neuroscience. Weekly one-hour seminar in addition to regular meetings with research supervisor.
- NEUR 358 - Diseases of the Brain (4)
An in-depth study of neurologic diseases. Case studies of affected patients are used to undestand the relationship between the physical changes and the behavioral impairments in these diseases. Biological mechanisms to explain the pathological and clinical manifestations of the diseases are investigated. Genetic and environmental risk factors are studied to explore etiology. Current therapies and ongoing scientific research into novel treatments are evaluated
- NEUR 364 - Seminar in Biopsychology (2-4)
A review and discussion of current problems in the biological determinants of behavior. The particular issues explored are announced prior to registration.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Same as: PSYC 364.
Offered: annually.
Prerequisite: PSYC 220.
- NEUR 366 - Computational Modeling of Neural Systems (4)
Computational neuroscience is the study of the brain as a computational and information-processing organ. It is a highly interdisciplinary field that employs various ideas and techniques from physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, psychology, and (of course) neuroscience. In this course, we cover the following topics: biophysics of a single neuron; dynamics of neural networks; models of associative memory and object recognition; and numerical methods and tools for analyzing and simulating a dynamical system. We study the fundamental biophysical properties and processes of the neurons and their networks, while also learning to use several analytical and numerical methods for studying a complex dynamical system. The goal of the course is to develop an interdisciplinary approach for analyzing a biological system.
Same as: PHYS 366.
Prerequisite: PHYS 150, MATH 150.
- NEUR 368 - Theories about Vision (4)
This upper-level course introduces modern ideas about vision, based on empirical findings and guided by mathematical and computational considerations. We will consider how inherent ambiguities of the visual stimuli may be resolved through statistical inferences and estinamtions, and how such computations are impllemented by the population of neurons. We will study elementary information theory as a means of quantifying the information-processing capacity of the visual cortex. This course will emphasize theoretical approaches to neuroscience, and complement the existing neuroscience curriculum, where the existing strength includes the study of the neural systems at the molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral levels with the experimental techniques.
- NEUR 370 - Special Topics in Neuroscience (2-4)
Topics relevant to neuroscience may be offered as opportunities arise.
May be repeated for credit as topic changes.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
- NEUR 394 - Advanced Independent Study in Neuroscience: Literature Research (2)
ndependent study of a specific topic in neuroscience through literature research and written literature review. Topics are chosen in consultation with an individual neuroscience faculty member, who will supervise the research. Final literature research paper or research proposal required. Suitable for students who have completed at least one upper-level core neuroscience course. Weekly one-hour seminar in addition to regular meetings with research supervisor. Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
- NEUR 396 - Independent Research in Neuroscience: Laboratory Field Research (2-4)
Independent laboratory or field research in neuroscience on a topic chosen in consultation with a faculty sponsor. A final research report is required. An approved research proposal is required prior to beginning the research project.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: every semester.
Prerequisite: PSYC+109 and BIOL+129.
- PHIL 322 - Philosophy of Mind (4)
A study of the distinctive nature of self and mind. Topics covered are behaviorism, identity materialism, dualism, the problems of personal identity and of individuation.
Offered: spring semester in odd-numbered years.
- PHYS 329 - Special Topics in Physics (4)
Topics chosen on the basis of instructor and student interest from areas such as condensed matter, atomic physics, particle physics; astrophysics, nonlinear phenomena, laser physics, and relativity.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
- PHYS 366 - Computational Modeling of Neural Systems (4) (Same as: NEUR 366.)
Computational neuroscience is the study of the brain as a computational and information-processing organ. It is a highly interdisciplinary field that employs various ideas and techniques from physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, psychology, and (of course) neuroscience. In this course, we cover the following topics: biophysics of a single neuron; dynamics of neural networks; models of associative memory and object recognition; and numerical methods and tools for analyzing and simulating a dynamical system. We study the fundamental biophysical properties and processes of the neurons and their networks, while also learning to use several analytical and numerical methods for studying a complex dynamical system. The goal of the course is to develop an interdisciplinary approach for analyzing a biological system.
Prerequisite: Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 160 , MATH 151.
- PSYC 270 - Selected Topics in Psychology (2-4)
An examination of a contemporary issue or topic in psychology. Selected topic and number of credits is determined at time of registration.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101.
- PSYC 351 - Learning and Behavior (4)
An examination of both the data and theory of animal and human learning and memory including such topics as: classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, transient memory, permanent memory, forgetting and recall.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and PSYC 211, or one year of college biology.
- PSYC 351L - Laboratory in Learning and Behavior (2)
An optional laboratory course to be taken with or after completing PSYC 351. Students will explore the methodological and measurement practices that are commonly employed in research on behavioral conditioning by completing hands-on activities and projects. Multiple lab reports will be required. Pre-requisite: PSYC 211 Pre- or Co-requisite: PSYC 351
- PSYC 353 - Cognition (4)
An examination of both the data and theory of cognition including such topics as: attention, perception, memory, imagery, language, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making.
Offered: annually.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and either PSYC 211 or one year of college biology.
- PSYC 353L - Laboratory in Cognition (2)
An optional laboratory course to be taken with or after completing PSYC 353. Students will explore the methodological and measurement practices that are commonly employed in cognitive psychology research by completing hands-on activities and projects. Multiple lab reports will be required. Pre-requisite: PSYC 211 Pre- or Co-requisite: PSYC 353
- PSYC 354L - Laboratory in Cognitive Neuroscience (2)
An optional laboratory course to be taken with or after completing PSYC 354. Students will explore the methodological and measurement practices that are commonly employed in cognitive neuroscience research by completing hands-on activities and projects. Multiple lab reports will be required. Pre-requisite: PSYC 211 Pre- or Co-requisite: PSYC 354
- PSYC 360 - Psychology Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Psychology (1-4)
A review and discussion of contemporary issues in psychological theory and practice. Issues explored change from time to time. Selections are made by the department and announced prior to registration.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: Announced at time of registration.
- PSYC 364 - Seminar in Biopsychology (2-4) (Same as: NEUR 364.)
A review and discussion of current problems in the biological determinants of behavior. The particular issues explored are announced prior to registration.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: PSYC 220.
- PSYC 366 - Seminar in Learning, Memory, and Cognition (2-4)
An investigation of one or more subject areas in learning, memory, or cognition. Topics vary with instructor expertise. Specific topics are announced prior to registration.
Signature of instructor required for registration.
Course may be repeated.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: PSYC 351 or PSYC 353 as announced at registration.
- PSYC 370 - Advanced Topics in Psychology (2-4)
An in-depth exploration of a specialized issue or topic in psychology. Selected topic and number of credits is determined at time of registration.
Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes.
Offered: Offering to be determined.
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 and second-year standing or higher. Other prerequisites to be announced at time of registration.
