Curriculum

Although students can select a curriculum that relates specifically to their educational needs, for approximately the first 2 years in the Program, all students are required to take a series of courses that comprise a core curriculum. These courses, which are listed below in the sequence in which they are to be taken, must be completed prior to taking the preliminary examination.

In addition to these core courses, there are a variety of other neuroscience programs or neuroscience–related courses available to students in the Program, and these are listed in the Graduate School Bulletin. In addition, specialized Reading Courses and Tutorials can be arranged between individual students and faculty.

Year 1

Fall Semester

• Seminars in Neuroscience – 709
• Introduction to Neuroscience I – 712
• Tutorial in Neuroscience – 715
• Research Rotation – 725
• Intro. to Professional Develop. – Grad 700
• Journal Club (of choice)
• Biochemistry – Bicm 705*

Spring Semester

• Seminars in Neuroscience – 709
• Introduction to Neuroscience II – 713
• Tutorial in Neuroscience – 715
• Research Rotation – 726
• Intro. to Professional Develop. – Grad 701
• Journal Club (of choice)

Summer Semester

• Summer Tutorial in Neuroscience – 717
• Research Rotation

Year 2

Fall Semester

• Behavioral Neuroscience – 701
• Neuropharmacology – 707
• Tutorial in Neuroscience – 715
• Research Rotation – 725
• Statistics – PSPR 741 or HSPR 730*

Spring Semester

• Clinical Neuroscience – 703
• Molecular Neuroscience – 704
• Tutorial in Neuroscience – 715
• Research Rotation – 726

Summer Semester

• Summer Tutorial in Neuroscience – 717
• Research Rotation

*If not taken at undergraduate institution

Years 3 and 4

• Thesis Research
• Journal Club (of choice)
• Tutorial in Neuroscience – 715
• Summer Tutorial in Neuroscience – 717

Course Descriptions

  

NUSC 701 (Behavioral Neuroscience)

 (3) Behavioral neuroscience is a relatively new and rapidly expanding discipline utilizing techniques of molecular biology, neurochemistry, neurophysiology and psychology to investigate the neurobiological aspects of behavior. A broad overview of the field and its relationship to these individual disciplines is presented. The course will provide a survey of the field from the cellular level to the complexity of molar aspects of behavior including learning and memory. An introduction to lab models of human neurobiological disorders is included.   

NUSC 703 (Introduction to Clinical Neuroscience)

 (3) A series of lectures and class discussions of topics dealing with the neurobiology, pathophysiology and treatment of patients with neurological and behavioral/ psychiatric problems.  This course also includes a brief introduction to major concepts of patient treatment and care with utilization of up-to-date methodology in clinical neuroscience.  Students have the opportunity to observe and participate in patient evaluation and diagnostic testing in the clinical setting (e.g., Grand Rounds) and to visit many of the neuroscience-related clinical research and treatment centers.  Teaching faculty includes both clinicians and basic science researchers.  

NUSC 704 (Molecular Neuroscience)

 (3) Introduces graduate and advanced undergraduate students to the basic principles of neurobiology as studied by cell and molecular biologists.  Lectures introduce invertebrate and vertebrate model neuronal systems and the cellular and molecular methods to study them.

NUSC 707 (Neuropharmacology)

(3) General survey of neuropharmacology, emphasizing neurotransmitters, receptors and their interactions. The course will discuss general principles of drug action, including receptor binding, second messengers, and neurotransmitter metabolism. It also will survey neurotransmitter function, including acetylcholine, biogenic amines, excitatory and other amino acids, and neuropeptides. 

NUSC 709 (Seminars in Neuroscience)

(0) A series of research presentations by invited speakers from other institutions that will discuss modern concepts, methods, and approaches used in understanding nervous system structure, function and pathology.

NUSC 712 (Introduction to Neuroscience I)

(5) Neuroscience I is the first in a required 2-course series for first-year neuroscience students covering basic topics in the neurosciences. Neuroscience I is offered only in the fall semester and deals with neuroanatomy (6 weeks), cellular and molecular neuroscience (6 weeks), and developmental neuroscience (3 weeks). Approximately 1/3 of the course will include laboratory work in neuroanatomy.

NUSC 713 (Introduction to Neuroscience II)

(5) Neuroscience II is the second in the series of required courses for first-year neuroscience graduate students covering basic topics in the neurosciences. Neuroscience I is a prerequisite for Neuroscience II. Topics covered include: developmental neuroscience (3 weeks), sensory systems (6 weeks), and motor systems (6 weeks) Lectures will be given by faculty in the neuroscience program.

NUSC 715 (Neuroscience Tutorial)

(0) A tutorial format course required in the fall and spring semesters of all PhD students in the Neuroscience Program. A one-hour presentation by faculty of current research topics being conducted in the neuroscience program followed by a discussion of the topic and of recent research or review articles in the same area of research.

NUSC 717 (Summer Neuroscience Tutorial)

(1) A summer session tutorial format course required of all PhD students in the Neuroscience Program. A one-hour presentation by students on their current research area. Students will be evaluated by faculty and peers on their presentation and given overall assessment of their Introduction, Methods, Graphics, Explanation of Data, Conclusions, and Speaking Style and Rapport with the audience.

Sample Of Elective Courses Offered Outside Of The Neuroscience Program

1. Biochemistry
   Intracellular Signaling
   Immunochemistry
2. Biology
   Neurobiology
   Development
   Molecular Biology
   Sensory Biology
   Behavioral Ecology
   Cell Physiology
3. Comparative Medicine
   Animal Models in Biomedical Research
4. Microbiology and Immunology
   Fundamentals of Immunology
5. Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology
   Research Techniques in Electron Microscopy
   Fundamentals of Pathophysiology
6. Molecular Genetics
   Molecular Biology
   Human Molecular Genetics
7. Molecular Medicine
   Introduction to Molecular Medicine
8. Neurobiology and Anatomy
   Cell Biology
   Development and Anatomy of Sensory Systems
   Sensory Neuroscience I: audition and Vision
   Sensory Neuroscience II: Somatosensation, Taste and Olfaction
   Sensory Neuroscience III: Higher Order Interactions and Integration
   Developmental Neurobiology I: Molecular control of Neural Lineages and Differentiation
   Developmental Neurobiology II: Progressive and Regressive Events in Neural Development
   Developmental Neurobiology III: Neural Plasticity and Regeneration
   Career Development in Neurobiology
9. Physiology and Pharmacology
   Perinatal Physiology I
   Perinatal Physiology II
   Neuroendocrinology
   Nerve Cell Physiology and Plasticity
   Behavioral Pharmacology
   Neurobehavioral Pharmacology
   Neurotoxicology
   Biology of Alcohol Abuse - alcoholism
10. Psychology
    Developmental Psychobiology
    Psychopharmacology
    Biological Psychology
    Neuropsychology and Learning Disabilities
    Neuroscience and Animal Behavior