Catalogue 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Neuroscience and Behavior Program
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Director: Kelli A. Duncan;
Steering Committee: Hadley C. Bergstrom (Psychology), John Mark Cleavelandab (Psychology), Joshua de Leeuw (Cognitive Science), Kelli A. Duncan (Biology), Megan D. Gall (Biology), Kevin Holloway (Psychology), John H. Long, Jr. (Biology), Kathleen M. Susman (Biology), Justin C. Touchona (Biology), Susan Trumbetta (Psychology), Lori Newmana (Psychology), Bojana Zupan (Psychology);
Participating Faculty: Abigail A. Bairda (Psychology), Hadley C. Bergstrom (Psychology), John Mark Cleavelandab (Psychology), Joshua de Leeuw (Cognitive Science), Kelli A. Duncan (Biology), Megan D. Gall (Biology), Kevin Holloway (Psychology), John H. Long, Jr. (Biology), Kathleen M. Susman (Biology), Justin C. Touchona (Biology), Susan Trumbetta (Psychology), Lori Newmana (Psychology), Bojana Zupan (Psychology).
a On leave 2019/20, first semester
ab On leave 2019/20
Neuroscience and Behavior is a multidisciplinary program which applies the perspectives and techniques of both biology and psychology to the study of the brain and behavior. Neuroscientists are interested in how the interactions of brain, body, and environment contribute to animal (including human) behavior. Neuroscientists study the structure and function of the nervous system, the development and evolution of neural and behavioral systems, and interactions among behavior, environment, physiology, and heredity.
This program is ideal for those students with interests in the biological and psychological sciences. A concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior can prepare students for graduate study in biology, psychology, or the neurosciences.
Major
Approved Courses
Neuroscience and Behavior
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NEUR 105 - Introduction to Neuroscience and Behavior Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)
This course provides a broad introduction to neuroscience and behavior, focusing on examples and approaches from cellular and molecular, cognitive, behavioral, and systems neuroscience. Basic principles of neuroscience are covered including how the cells in the nervous system develop, process signals and transmit information, basic brain anatomy and an introduction to human and comparative systems in neuroscience and behavior. Students gain an understanding of brain-behavior relationships with particular interest in identifying the biological mechanisms important for human and animal behavior. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 107.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
NEUR 229 - Research Methods in Learning and Behavior Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
(Same as PSYC 229 ) An introduction to experimental and observational methods in animal learning and behavior. Laboratory experiences have included audio recording and quantitative analysis of animal sounds (bat echolocation and birdsong), operant conditioning, census taking, determining dominance hierarchies, and human visual and auditory psychophysics. Kevin Holloway.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 200 and PSYC 221 or PSYC 223 .
Regular laboratory work.
Enrollment limited.
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NEUR 241 - Principles of Physiological Psychology Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)
(Same as PSYC 241 ) The role of physiological systems, especially the brain, in the regulation of behavior. In addition to basic topics in neuroscience (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry and pharmacology), topics may include: sensory mechanisms, motivational systems (e.g., sleep, eating, reproductive behaviors), emotion, learning and memory, language, stress and psychopathology. Hadley Bergstrom, Lori Newman.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 105 or its equivalent, or NEUR 105 .
Course Format: CLS -
NEUR 243 - Topics in Physiological Psychology Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
(Same as PSYC 243 ) The study of the functions of particular brain structures and their relation to behavior and mental activity. In addition to basic topics in neuroscience the course focuses on such topics as: perception, attention, memory, language, emotion, control of action, and consciousness. Neural alterations related to learning disabilities, neurological and psychiatric disorders may be examined as well. Abigail Baird.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 105 .
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NEUR 249 - Research Methods in Physiological Psychology Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)
(Same as PSYC 249 ) The study of experimental methods in physiological psychology. In addition to exploring issues related to the ethics, design, measurement, analysis and reporting of research, laboratory topics may include: neuroanatomy, behavioral responses to pharmacological and/or surgical interventions, electrophysiology, neuropsychology, neurochemistry and histology. Hadley Bergstrom, Bojana Zupan.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 200 , and PSYC 241 or PSYC 243 .
Regular laboratory work.
Enrollment limited.
Course Format: CLS -
NEUR 290 - Community-Engaged Learning Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
By permission of the adviser and the instructor who supervises the work.
Course Format: INT -
NEUR 298 - Independent Work Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
Library, field or laboratory projects.
By permission of the Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.
Course Format: OTH -
NEUR 301 - Seminar in Neuroscience and Behavior Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)
Explorations in the primary literature of topics to be selected annually. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
NEUR 393 - Special Topics in Biology Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 1 unit(s)
(Same as BIOL 393 ) A variety of current and timely topics in Biology is considered by these intensive mentored experiences. Each of these involve close mentored work in small groups of students around a key topic in biology. A variety of formats is used, including field experiences, field trips, different types of media and different approaches. Topics and instructors vary each semester.
Biology in Board Games. Board games are growing in popularity and there are a number that feature biological themes from disease spread, to cell biology, to evolution. Biology is complicated: so can you make a game that is both fun to play and accurately represents biological processes? In this intensive we interrogate the representation and simulation of biological processes in board games by reading primary literature, discussing scientific concepts, and playing games. Following gameplay we evaluate the ways in which the scientific concepts are or are not accurately represented by the mechanics, art and overall presentation of the game. For the final project, students work in teams to design a board game that represents a biological process of their choosing, with a rulebook that includes an analysis of the biology and the design choices that were used to represent the process. Megan Gall.
Course Format: INT -
NEUR 395 - Independent Research Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0.5 1 unit(s)
Laboratory, field, or library research on a wide variety of topics. Students should consult with Neuroscience and Behavior faculty members prior to registration to determine their topic and availability. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor; each instructor sets content-specific prerequisites.
Course Format: INT -
NEUR 399 - Senior Independent Work Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
Library, field, or laboratory projects.
By permission of the Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.
Course Format: OTH
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