NESC - Neuroscience
BIOL 110
Integrative Biology: Principles
An introduction to the unified science of life. Emphasis on the experimental approach, to show the interrelationships of living things by examining their metabolism, growth and development, genetics, behavior, ecology, and evolution. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair required to register
BIOL 140
Integrative Biology: Heterotrophs
An introduction to the biology of animals and arotrophic microbes and protists, including studies of the phylogeny, morphology, physiology, development, behavior, and ecology of representatives of the major phyla. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 110; permission of the department chair required to register
BIOL 240
Morphogenesis of the Vertebrates
A modified “programmed self-instruction” course providing the materials and guidance necessary to gain an integrated concept of ontogenetic and evolutionary organogenesis. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 140
BIOL 242
Comparative Physiology
A comparative study of the variety of solutions and adaptations diverse animals can make to similar problems — obtaining and transporting oxygen, maintaining water and salt balance, utilizing food, movement, and nervous and hormonal integration. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 140
BIOL 340
Topics in Neuroscience
A study of the nervous system from the perspectives of psychology, biology,
and/or biological anthropology. Topics vary year to year and may include glial cells, neural development, and the evolution of nervous systems and neurotransmitter systems. Lecture only. May be repeated with consent of instructor.
Units: 6.
Also listed as Psychology 580
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 and either BIOL 140 and one course in psychology, or PSYC 360 and one course in biology, or consent of instructor
BIOL 354
Molecular Biology
An interdisciplinary examination of regulatory mechanisms leading to differential gene expression. Main topics include transcription, translation, gene and protein structure, and modern genomics. The application of current molecular techniques is emphasized throughout the course. Laboratory work is experimental in approach. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing, BIOL 110, and CHEM 115
BIOL 453
Developmental Biology
An experimental approach to animal development with laboratory and lecture emphasis on the molecular and cellular level. Includes discussions of pattern formation, differentiation, cell interactions, gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryogenesis. The course will conclude with an integration of these topics into the context of current ideas of the developmental mechanisms of evolutionary change. Lecture and laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: BIOL 140; concurrent enrollment in or completion of one of the following: BIOL 241, 444 (or CHEM 340), 351 or 354
CHEM 115
Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity
Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry, emphasizing structures of chemical species (atoms, ions, and molecules), stoichiometry, the relationships between structure and reactivity, basic chemical models (gas laws, e. g.) and laboratory skills. This course will serve primarily to prepare students who have not had any previous (high school) coursework in chemistry for CHEM 116. Three lectures and one laboratory session each week. Students with high school chemistry should normally take 116 instead of this course. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Placement examination
CHEM 116
Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics
Introduction to the study of chemistry, for students who have taken high school chemistry or CHEM 115, emphasizing stuctural and quantitative models of chemical behavior. Topics include bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics, and related applications. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Enrollment is determined by placement examination. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Placement examination
CHEM 250
Organic Chemistry I
A study of carbon compounds, with hydrocarbons discussed in detail and some of the major functional groups introduced. Lectures and weekly laboratory. Laboratory session directed toward the synthesis and analysis of organic compounds and the elucidation of reaction mechanisms. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 252
Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of the study of carbon compounds, including additional functional groups and polyfunctional compounds. One four-hour laboratory per week, directed toward more advanced synthetic and analytic problems. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 250
MATH 107
Elementary Statistics
For students in all disciplines. Provides the background needed to evaluate statistical arguments found in newspapers, magazines, reports, and journals and the logic and techniques necessary to perform responsible elementary statistical analysis. Students who have completed a calculus course should elect Mathematics 207 rather than Mathematics 107. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Only one of MATH 107, 117, or 207 may be taken for credit
MATH 117
Elementary Statistics
For students in all disciplines. Provides background needed to evaluate statistical arguments found in newspapers, magazines, reports, and journals and the logic and techniques necessary to perform responsible elementary statistical analysis, including computer-aided data analysis. Winter Term laboratory component emphasizes analysis of social science data sets, and Spring Term laboratory component emphasizes analysis of natural science data sets. Students who have completed a calculus course should elect Mathematics 207 rather than Mathematics 107 or 117. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Only one of MATH 107, 117, or 207 may be taken for credit.
MATH 207
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
A survey of statistical methods including their mathematical foundation and their implementations on a computer. Topics include descriptive statistics and graphs, simple linear regression, random variables and their distributions, conditional probability, independence, sampling distributions, the Central Limit Theorem, and parametric and nonparametric tests of hypotheses. Laboratory component emphasizes analysis of economic data sets. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or 140. Only one of MATH 207, 107, or 117 may be taken for credit
PSYC 350
Psychopharmacology and Behavior
An interdisciplinary examination of the ways in which behaviorally active drugs exert their effects, drawing on research in pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, anatomy, and neurophysiology. Provides an understanding and appreciation of the role of behaviorally active drugs in people’s lives, today and in the past. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
PSYC 360
Brain and Behavior I
An introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior. Topics include cellular physiology, neuroanatomy, sensory processes, motor control, and neuropharmacology. No laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; at least one biology course recommended
PSYC 370
Perception
An introduction to the physiological and psychological processes by which we receive, transform, and use the information from the world acquired through our senses. Special emphasis on visual and auditory perception to allow a more in-depth study of two perceptual systems and to provide information useful to those interested in the visual arts and music. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 or sophomore standing
PSYC 380
Learning and Conditioning
An investigation of the basic principles of learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, punishment, biological constraints on learning, and behavior modification. One laboratory per week involving animal learning experiments. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 100 and sophomore standing, or consent of instructor; PSYC 280 and 281 recommended
PSYC 530
Brain and Behavior II
An examination of interrelationships between the brain and behavior. Topics include sleep, language, motivation, emotion, learning, and mental disorders. One laboratory per week on basic neuroscience techniques. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: PSYC 360