NEUROSCI 101-7-20 First Year Seminar -This is Your Brain on College
First-Year Seminar: "This is Your Brain on College" will be taught by Luke Flores, PhD. In this WCAS first-year seminar, we will examine recent research on learning and memory through the unique lens of college life. What do we know (or think we know) about how memories are encoded in the brain? How is college a different learning environment than high school? Together, we will review scientific studies on the impact of college life on student academic performance, and correlate those findings with studies of human and animal learning in the laboratory. After taking this course, you will have a foundational understanding of the neurobiological basis of memory, learn how to read scientific literature critically, and develop strategies to improve your study habits and performance here at Northwestern University. Open to first-year students in Weinberg College. This course does not satisfy major requirements in Neuroscience but does serve as a Weinberg first-year seminar. There will be several writing assignments on a science-related topic.
NEUROSCI 202-0 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Introduction to principles governing nervous system function at the cellular and molecular level. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major and have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either CHEM 132-0 or co-enrollment in CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.
NEUROSCI 202-0-22 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Introduction to principles governing nervous system function at the cellular and molecular level. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major and have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either CHEM 132-0 or co-enrollment in CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.
NEUROSCI 206-0-20 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
This course explores current understanding of the organization and function of neural systems (visual, auditory, motor, etc.) within the mammalian nervous system. Topics will include basic neuroanatomy, sensory processing, motor control, and higher cognitive functions including memory and language. Time will be devoted to presentation of essential knowledge from each area as well as to a discussion of key experiments that have contributed to our understanding. May not receive credit for both this course and the former NEUROSCI 306-0/BIOL_SCI 306-0. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 206-0-22 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Introduction to principles governing nervous system function at the cellular and molecular level. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 302-0. Prerequisites: Must be a neuroscience major and have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0 and either CHEM 132-0 or co-enrollment in CHEM 152-0 or CHEM 172-0.
NEUROSCI 303-0-20 Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychopharmacology
Advanced seminar focusing on molecular mechanisms and aberrations of synaptic signal transduction and drugs that target them. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
Embryology and cellular/molecular mechanisms of nervous system development. Topics include patterning of the early nervous system, neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, writing of neural circuits, activity and experience-dependent development and sex differences in early and late development. May not receive credit for both this course and the former BIOL_SCI 304-0. Prerequisites: BIOL_SCI 215-0 and or BIOL_SCI 201-0; and NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0. May not receive credit for both BIOL_SCI 215-0 and BIOL_SCI 201-0.
This course was formerly coded NEUROSCI 390-0-25 and CTECS will be available under that course code.
In this course we will delve into the genetic determinants of human behavior. We will discuss how "nature" (the genetic makeup) and "nurture" contribute to shape individual behavior and explore the implications of this interaction at the level of society, from philosophical and ethical aspects to medical and legal considerations.
We will often follow a historical perspective to understand how our thinking on this subject has changed with the advancement of scientific knowledge and with the evolution of what we think is acceptable in society. The class content will be strongly anchored in basic science: we will first learn concepts of both classical and modern genetics and neurogenetics (with emphasis on human genetics). Please refer to Caesar for additional information.
This course is limited to Neuroscience Majors during preregistration but is open to all students meeting the prerequisites beginning May 28th, 2024.
NEUROSCI 308-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-25 may be used as a Group B elective or an Allied Field in Biology. A student may not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 308-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-25.
Animal behavior from the neuroscience perspective. Neurobiological bases of foraging, communication, migration, predator-prey interactions, mating, and parental care. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 324-0-20 Neurobiology of Biological Clocks and Sleep
General properties of sleep and circadian rhythms; how sleep and the circadian clock regulate a number of diverse activities at the cell, organ, and organism levels. The importance of biological rhythms and sleep for human health and disease will be covered in this course. May not receive credit for both this course and the former BIOL_SCI 324-0. Prerequisite: NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 325-0-20 Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience
This writing-intensive and discussion-based course will draw from primary literature on the neurobiology of healthy and toxic stress, individual differences in stress susceptibility and resilience, to explore biological mechanisms by which adversity can influence health and other outcomes. Oral presentations and a final paper are required. No textbook required. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0 .
NEUROSCI 325-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-22 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology. Students may not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 325-0-20 and NEUROSCI 390-0-22.
NEUROSCI 326-0-20 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Molecular and neural bases of memory. Taught with BIOL_SCI 326-0. May not receive credit for both NEUROSCI 326-0 and the former BIOL_SCI 326-0. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0. This class is available to Neuroscience Majors or Biology Majors only.
In this laboratory course you will perform electrophysiological experiments in which signals from living neurons (action potentials, local field potentials, post synaptic potentials) are recorded using amplifiers and data logging equipment commonly found in advanced research labs around the world. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; BIOL_SCI 302-0; and consent of instructor.
NEUROSCI 355-0-60 Neurogenetics of Behavior Laboratory
Project-based laboratory investigating the genetic basis of behavior in a simple model system; molecular genetic techniques used in neurobiology. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; BIOL_SCI 302-0.
Survey of brain disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, addiction and traumatic brain injury. Trace progress from the laboratory to the clinic, evaluate the state of knowledge and understand future directions. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; NEUROSCI 311-0 AND NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0. Recommend review of basic genetics and molecular biology.
NEUROSCI 370-0-20 Genetic and Circuit Analysis of Motivated Behavior
Critical explorations of brain structures and functions (and dysfunctions) underlying motivated behaviors to maintain homeostasis. May be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology. Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0.
NEUROSCI 390-0-23 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.
NEUROSCI 390-0-28 Brain function through the lens of computation
Understanding brain function is a grand challenge for twenty-first century science that promises revolutionary applications to medicine and artificial intelligence. Mathematical modeling can contribute valuably to this understanding by allowing scientists to formalize experimental findings and reason beyond their intuition.
Having an upset belly? You might be suggested to eat a cup of yogurt for some probiotics! It is probably old news that gut microbiota affects the gut environment and digestion. What could be more surprising and interesting is that growing evidence has revealed the interaction between gut microbes, the immune system, and the nervous system. This communication could change the physiology of the brain and in turn moderate behaviors, neural development, and neurological diseases. This course will guide you to explore this new and still-evolving area by critically reading primary research literature. You will work together with the instructor and your classmates in a safe and supportive environment to learn about our current understanding of these topics, examine the research contributing to new findings, and propose potential studies for future discoveries.
Prerequisite: Student must have completed NEUROSCI 202-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
NEUROSCI 390-0-29 may be used as a Neuroscience Group B elective or may be used as an Allied Field in Biology.
Instruction in writing a scientific thesis, discussion of student projects, instruction and peer feedback on thesis drafts, and continued independent research. Open to seniors pursuing departmental honors. Requires permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Requires permission of the Neuroscience Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Supervised laboratory hands on methods research with a faculty member. Please follow this link for expectations of registering for this course NEUROSCI 399-0 requirements.
2024-2025 COURSE NEWS!
NEUROSCI 202-0 will be offered during Fall 2024 and Winter 2025. Open to declared Neuroscience Majors only!
Looking for Group B electives for fall 2024 term? NEUROSCI 390-0 courses have new designations! Look to course descriptions for information on specific courses.
To declare a Neuroscience Major, please request an appointment through neuroscience@u.northwestern.edu. Please be sure to list your availability!
