This is an archived copy of the 2012-2013 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
Neuroscience
http://www.neuroscience.iastate.edu/Contact the Neuroscience Interdepartmental Graduate Program Coordinator:
Email: idgp@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-7252
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; Computer Science; Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology; Genetics, Development and Cell Biology; Kinesiology; Psychology; Veterinary Clinical Sciences; and Veterinary Pathology.
The diversity of faculty in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience major provides students with a variety of research opportunities and reflects the structure of contemporary neuroscience which has become a diverse and inter-disciplinary field. 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, behavioral neuroscience, tissue engineering, neuroregeneration and brain repair.
An undergraduate or advanced degree in one of the basic or applied sciences is ordinarily a prerequisite for admission to the program. Typical program disciplines include majors in biochemistry, biology, biomedical sciences, human medicine, immunology, neurobiology, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, veterinary medicine, or zoology. Appropriate undergraduate coursework includes mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biological sciences.
Students are admitted by the Neuroscience program following an internal application process and after review by the Neuroscience Admissions Committee. Students are admitted either to participate in research rotations with several faculty before deciding on a major professor and laboratory, or by direct admission into a specific lab and department. Students who enter via a rotation admit are required to complete a minimum of three research lab rotations with faculty of interest. At the end of their second semester students on rotation must select a major professor from the faculty participating in the program.
Curriculum Requirements for Neuroscience
All students majoring in Neuroscience are required to complete a core curriculum consisting of:
| NEURO 556 | Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience | arr † |
| NEURO 557 | Advanced Neuroscience Techniques | arr † |
| NEURO 661 | Current Topics in Neuroscience | arr † |
| NEURO 690 | Journal Club in Neuroscience | arr † |
| NEURO 696 | Neuroscience Seminar | arr † |
| NEURO 699 | Research | arr † |
| BBMB 404 | Biochemistry I | arr † |
| B M S 537 | Neuroanatomy | arr † |
| STAT 401 | Statistical Methods for Research Workers | arr † |
| MANDATORY ETHICS TRAINING: All Neuroscience students are also required to complete 1 credit hour of ethics training. | arr † | |
| † Arranged with instructor. | ||
In addition to the above core coursework, all students are also expected to take at least six credits of elective neuroscience courses from the following:
| COM S 474 | Elements of Neural Computation | arr † |
| E E 545 | Artificial Neural Networks | arr † |
| KIN 572 | Neural Basis of Human Movement | arr † |
| PSYCH 410 | Behavioral Neurology | arr † |
| PSYCH 517 | Psychopharmacology | arr † |
| PSYCH 519 | Cognitive Neuropsychology | arr † |
| † Arranged with instructor. | ||
Curriculum Requirements for Graduate Students Seeking a Neuroscience Minor
Graduate students interested in completing a Neuroscience minor are required to select 12 credits, with a minimum of 9 credits from the list of approved courses (see below) and up to 3 credits of thesis/dissertation research (NEURO 699).
Students must be approved for the minor by the Neuroscience Program and must follow Graduate College guidelines for POS Committee membership.
| NEURO 556 | Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience | arr † |
| NEURO 557 | Advanced Neuroscience Techniques | arr † |
| NEURO 661 | Current Topics in Neuroscience | arr † |
| B M S 537 | Neuroanatomy | arr † |
| COM S 474 | Elements of Neural Computation | arr † |
| E E 545 | Artificial Neural Networks | arr † |
| KIN 572 | Neural Basis of Human Movement | arr † |
| PSYCH 410 | Behavioral Neurology | arr † |
| PSYCH 517 | Psychopharmacology | arr † |
| PSYCH 519 | Cognitive Neuropsychology | arr † |
| NEURO 699 | Research (Up to 3 credits) | arr † |
| † Arranged with instructor. | ||
Courses
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
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.
Courses for graduate students:
NEURO 661. Current Topics in Neuroscience.
(Cross-listed with GDCB, BBMB). (2-0) 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.