Neuroscience
(Interdepartmental Graduate Program)
Graduate Study
Work is offered for the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees with a major in neuroscience. Cooperating departments include Animal Science; Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences; Chemical and Biological Engineering; Chemistry; Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology; Genetics, Development and Cell Biology; Kinesiology; and Psychology.
Facilities and faculty are committed to research in the following areas: neuronal membrane functions, signal transduction, neuroanatomy, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroendocrinology, neurotoxicology, neuropathology, developmental neurobiology, neurogenetics, computational neuroscience, neural networks, and behavioral neuroscience.
An undergraduate or advanced degree in the sciences is ordinarily a prerequisite for admission to the program. A student majoring in neuroscience will select a major professor from the faculty participating in the program.
All students take a core curriculum consisting of:
| NEURO 556 | Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEURO 557 | Advanced Neuroscience Techniques | 2 |
| NEURO 661 | Current Topics in Neurobiology | 2-3 |
| NEURO 690 | Journal Club in Neuroscience | 1 |
| NEURO 696 | Neuroscience Seminar | 1 |
| BBMB 404 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| STAT 401 | Statistical Methods for Research Workers | 4 |
All students are also expected to take elective neuroscience courses from the following:
| B M S 537 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| B M S 575 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| COM S 474 | Elements of Neural Computation | 3 |
| E E 545 | Artificial Neural Networks | 3 |
| PSYCH 517 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| PSYCH 519 | Cognitive Neuropsychology | 3 |
| TOX 501 | Principles of Toxicology | 3 |
Courses for graduate students
NEURO 556. Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience.
(Cross-listed with GDCB, B M S). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: BIOL 335 or BIOL 436; physics recommended
Fundamental principles of neuroscience including cellular and molecular neuroscience, nervous system development, sensory, motor and regulatory systems.
NEURO 557. Advanced Neuroscience Techniques.
(Cross-listed with GDCB). (2-0) Cr. 2.
Alt. S., offered 2013.
Prereq: NEURO 556 or equivalent course
Research methods and techniques; exercises and/or demonstrations representing individual faculty specialties.
NEURO 661. Current Topics in Neurobiology.
(Cross-listed with GDCB, BBMB). Cr. 2-3.
Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2012.
Prereq: NEURO 556 (or comparable course) or permission of instructor.
Topics may include molecular and cellular neuroscience, neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity, neurodegenerative diseases, sensory biology, neural integration, membrane biophysics, neuroethology, techniques in neurobiology and behavior.
NEURO 690. Journal Club in Neuroscience.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
Repeatable. F.S.
Prereq: NEURO 556
Students are required to attend and make at least one presentation at a weekly journal club focusing on current topics.
NEURO 696. Neuroscience Seminar.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
Repeatable. F.S.
Prereq: NEURO 556
Presentations and discussion of research by students, faculty, and visiting scholars.
NEURO 699. Research.
Cr. arr.
Repeatable.