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Catalogue 2016-2017 
    
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Catalogue 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Neuroscience and Behavior Program

Director: Kathleen M. Susman;

Participating Faculty: Abigail A. Baird (Psychology), N Jay Beana (Psychology), Hadley C. Bergstrom (Psychology), John Mark Cleaveland (Psychology), Kelli A. Duncan (Biology), Megan D. Gall (Biology), Janet Gray (Psychology), Kevin Hollowayb (Psychology), John H. Long, Jr. (Biology), Kathleen M. Susman (Biology), Susan Trumbetta (Psychology), Bojana Zupan (Psychology);

a On leave 2016/17, first semester

b On leave 2016/17, second semester

Neuroscience and Behavior is an interdisciplinary 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.

Programs

Major

Approved Courses

Courses

Neuroscience and Behavior

  • NEUR 201 - Neuroscience and Behavior

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    1 unit(s)
    A multidisciplinary approach to the methods, issues, empirical findings and neuroscience and behavior literature. The course explores selected topics from a variety of theoretical and empirical models, from behavioral, evolutionary, social/environmental, physiological and cellular/molecular levels of analysis. The ways in which the different methods of analysis inform each other are a focus of the course. Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.

    Prerequisite(s): BIOL 105 , BIOL 106 , PSYC 105  or PSYC 106 , and PSYC 241  or PSYC 243 .

  • NEUR 229 - Research Methods in Learning and Behavior


    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. John Mark Cleaveland, Kevin Holloway.

    Prerequisite(s): PSYC 200  and PSYC 221  or PSYC 223 .

    Regular laboratory work.

    Enrollment limited.

    Not offered in 2016/17.

  • NEUR 241 - Principles of Physiological Psychology

    Semester Offered: 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. Janet Gray.

    Prerequisite(s): PSYC 105  or PSYC 106 .

    PSYC 241  may NOT be taken if PSYC 243  has already been taken.

  • 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  or PSYC 106 .

    PSYC 243  may NOT be taken if PSYC 241  has already been taken.

  • 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. N. Jay Bean, Bojana Zupan.

    Prerequisite(s): PSYC 200 , and PSYC 241  or PSYC 243 .

    Regular laboratory work.

    Enrollment limited.

  • NEUR 290 - Field Work

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 to 1 unit(s)
    By permission of the adviser and the instructor who supervises the work.

  • NEUR 298 - Independent Work

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 to 1 unit(s)
    Library, field or laboratory projects.

    By permission of the Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.

  • 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. Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.

    Prerequisite(s): by permission of the instructor.

  • NEUR 399 - Senior Independent Work

    Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
    0.5 to 1 unit(s)
    Library, field, or laboratory projects.

    By permission of the Neuroscience and Behavior faculty.