UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Major Requirements 

Minor in Neuroscience

Departmental Honors

Research Courses

Course Descriptions

Electives Schedule

Seminars

NS 192B: Project Brainstorm

Neuroscience Undergraduate Society

Advising

Prospective Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**M101A-M101B-M101C. Neuroscience: From Molecules to Mind. (5-5-5) (Same as Molecular,  

Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A-M175B-M175C, Physiological Science M180A-M180B- M180C, and Psychology M117A-M117B-M117C.) Lecture, four hours; discussion, 90 minutes. P/NP or letter grading.

    M101A. Cellular and Systems Neuroscience. (5) Lecture, four hours; discussion, 90 minutes. Requisites: Chemistry 14C or 30A (14C may be taken concurrently), Life Sciences 2, Physics 1B or 6B; Neuroscience majors must take concurrently with Neuroscience 102. Not open for credit to students with credit for Physiological Science 111A. For Physiological Science majors only, a grade of C- or better is required to proceed to Physiological Science 111B. Cellular neurophysiology, membrane potential, action potentials, and synaptic transmission. Sensory systems and motor system; how assemblies of neurons process complex information and control movement. P/NP or letter grading.

    M101B. Molecular and Developmental Neuroscience. (5) Lecture, four hours; discussion, 90 minutes. Requisites: course M101A (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A or Physiological Science M180A or Psychology M117A) or Physiological Science 111A or Psychology 115, Life Sciences 3, 4. Molecular biology of channels and receptors: focus on voltage dependent channels and neurotransmitter receptors. Molecular biology of supramolecular mechanisms: synaptic transmission, axonal transport, cytoskeleton, and muscle. Classical experiments and modern molecular approaches in developmental neurobiology. P/NP or letter grading.

    M101C. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. (5) Lecture, four hours; discussion, 90 minutes. Requisite: course M101A (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A or Physiological Science M180A or Psychology M117A) or Physiological Science 111A or Psychology 115. Neural mechanisms underlying motivation, learning, and cognition. P/NP or letter grading.

 

101L. Neuroscience Laboratory. (4) Lecture, two hours; laboratory, three hours. Requisites: courses M101A, M101B (M101B may be taken concurrently). Not open for credit to students with credit for Psychology 116. Introduction to laboratory methods in neuroscience. Laboratory exercises range from molecular and cell biological to behavioral. Hands-on experience with important methodology and experimental approaches in neuroscience.

 

**102. Introduction to Functional Anatomy of Central Nervous System. (4) Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Requisite: Life Sciences 2. Not open to freshmen. Overview of human nervous system; relation of behavior to higher cognitive function. Development of primate and human brain during past few million years; evolutionary aspects of neuroanatomical structures and effects of behavior and cultural attitudes of modern man. P/NP or letter grading.

 

M119L. Human Neuropsychology. (4) (Same as Psychology M119L.) Lecture, three hours. Requisites: courses M101A and M101C (or Psychology 115), Psychology 120A or 120B. Designed for juniors/seniors. Survey of experimental and clinical human neuropsychology; neural basis of higher cognitive functions. P/NP or letter grading.

 

M119N. The Visual System. (4) (Same as Psychology M119N.) Lecture, three hours. Requisite: course M101A or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 171 or Physiological Science 111A or Psychology 115. The ability to image and analyze the visual world is a truly remarkable feat. Coverage of anatomy and physiology of visual processing from the retina to visual cortex through lectures, extensive reading, and discussions.

 

M130. Biological Bases of Psychiatric Disorders. (4) (Same as Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M181, Physiological Science M181, Psychiatry M181, and Psychology M117J.) Lecture, three hours. Requisite: course M101A (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A or Physiological Science M180A or Psychology M117A) or Physiological Science 111A or Psychology 115. Underlying brain systems involved in psychiatric symptoms and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder. Provides basic understanding of brain dysfunctions that contribute to disorders and rationales for pharmacological treatments. P/NP or letter grading.

 

M145. Neural Mechanisms Controlling Movement. (5) (Same as Physiological Science M145.) Lecture, four hours. Requisite: course M101A or Physiological Science 111A or M180A. Examination of central nervous system organization required for production of complex movements such as locomotion, mastication, and swallowing. Letter grading.

 

M148. Neuronal Signaling in Brain. (4) (Same as Physiological Science M148.) Lecture, three hours. Requisites: courses M101A (or Physiological Science 111A or M180A), M101B (or Physiological Science M180B or Chemistry 153A). Consideration of brain function, with focus on cellular physiology and functional neuroanatomy. Topics include neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission and function of specific neuronal circuits in auditory pathway, basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus, and neocortex. Letter grading.

 

C172. Neuroimaging and Brain Mapping. (4) Lecture, three hours. Requisite: course M101A (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A or Physiological Science M180A or Psychology M117A) or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 171 or Physiological Science 111A or Psychology 115. Strongly recommended: course 102. Theory, methods, applications, assumptions, and limitations of neuroimaging. Techniques, biological questions, and results. Brain structure, brain function, and their relationship discussed with regard to imaging. Concurrently scheduled with course CM272. Letter grading.

 

C177. Drugs of Abuse from Neurobiology to Policy and Education. (4) (Formerly numbered C195.) Lecture, four hours. Comprehensive analysis of neuroscience of substance abuse, current policy issues, and societal consequences. Concurrently scheduled with course C277. Letter grading.

 

178. Human Electroencephalography and Evoked Potentials in Research and Clinical Diagnosis (4) Seminar, four hours. Enforced requisite: course M101A. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 191A, seminar 2. Emphasis on human electroencephalogram (EEG) and various forms of sensory-evoked potentials. Introduction to number of experimental paradigms that allow for recording of different brain signals from brainstem to cortex. Letter grading.

179. Clinical Neuroscience: New Concepts in Neurological Disorders (4)
Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: course M101A. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 191A, seminar 2. Introduction to neurological diseases. Description of diseases from clinical perspective, description of disorder, dealing with clinical population, and discussion of treatments and underlying causes. Mechanisms and new treatments. Letter grading.

180. Genetic, Molecular, and Genomic Approaches to Neural Development and Disease (4) Seminar, three hours. Enforced requisites: courses M101A, M101B. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 191C, seminar 1. In-depth study of genetic, molecular, and genomic approaches to studying nervous system development and disease. Overview of current technologies used to generate mouse models for genetic and phenotypic analysis. Review of techniques for studying development and disease. Integrative genomic approaches for identifying and characterizing gene(s) involved in these processes. Emphasis on mouse models, but other model organisms considered as well. Letter grading.

181. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory (4)
Seminar, four hours. Enforced requisite: course M101A. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 191C, seminar 2. Cellular models of learning and memory. Genetic and molecular approaches to learning and memory. Learning and memory deficits in neurospsychiatric diseases. LTP and LTD models. Letter grading.

182. Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse (4)
Seminar, four hours. Enforced requisite: course M101A. Not open for credit to students with credit for course 191A, seminar 3. Pharmacology of stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and opioids. Discussion of how drugs interact with central nervous system and produce dependence, addiction, and chronic toxic affects. Letter grading.

 

191A-191B-191C. Variable Topics Research Seminars: Neuroscience. (4-4-4) (Formerly numbered 197A-197B-197C.) Seminar, three hours. Topics on one or more aspects of neuroscience. Reading, discussion, and development of culminating project. May be applied as elective only in specific area of group 2. Each course may be repeated once for credit. P/NP or letter grading. 191A. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Requisite: course M101A or Physiological Science 111A. 191B. Systems and Integrative Neuroscience. Requisite: course M101A or Physiological Science 111A. 191C. Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Neuroscience. Enforced requisite: course M101B.

 

191H. Honors Seminars: Neuroscience. (4) (Formerly numbered 196H.) Seminar, four hours. Preparation: one statistics course (Statistics 10 or equivalent). Limited to neuroscience honors program students. Instruction in principles of scientific method, ethics, and written and oral communication; critique of current journal articles and research projects. Presentation of individual research. May not be applied toward elective requirements for major. Must be taken during Winter Quarter of academic year that students enroll in courses 198A and 198B. Letter grading.

 

198. Honors Research in Neuroscience.

198A. Honors Research in Neuroscience. (4) (Formerly numbered 199HA.) Tutorial, 12 hours minimum. Requisites: courses 99, M101A. Limited to neuroscience honors program students. Directed independent research involving extensive reading and development of honors thesis or comprehensive project under direct supervision of faculty member. For departmental honors, students must also take course 191H. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A, 198B, 199 may be applied toward major. Individual contract required. In Progress grading (credit to be given only on completion of course 198B).

198B. Honors Research in Neuroscience. (4) (Formerly numbered 199HB.) Tutorial, 12 hours minimum in laboratory. Requisite: course 198A. Continued reading and research that culminate in honors thesis under direct supervision of faculty member. For departmental honors, students must also take course 191H. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A, 198B, 199 may be applied toward major. Individual contract required. Letter grading.

 

199. Independent Research in Neuroscience.

199A. Directed Research in Neuroscience (4)
(Formerly numbered 199.) Tutorial, 12 hours minimum. Enforced requisites: courses 99, M101A. Limited to junior/senior Neuroscience majors and minors with grades of B (3.0) or better. Supervised individual research or investigation under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating paper or project required. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A, 198B, 199A, 199B may be applied toward major. Individual contract required. In Progress grading (credit to be given only on completion of course 199B).

199B. Directed Research in Neuroscience (4)
Tutorial, 12 hours minimum. Enforced requisite: course 199A. Limited to junior/senior Neuroscience majors and minors with grades of B (3.0) or better. Continued supervised individual research or investigation under guidance of faculty mentor. Culminating paper or project required. Maximum of 8 units of courses 198A, 198B, 199A, 199B may be applied toward major. Individual contract required. Letter grading.

199C. Continued Directed Research in Neuroscience (4)
Tutorial, 12 hours minimum in laboratory. Enforced requisite: course 198B or 199B. Limited to junior/senior Neuroscience majors and minors with grades of B (3.0) or better. Continued reading and research that culminate in report under direct supervision of faculty mentor. May not be applied toward major. May be repeated for credit. Individual contract required. Letter grading.
 

 

Chemistry and Biochemistry

**153A. Biochemistry: Introduction to Structure, Enzymes, and Metabolism. (4) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Requisite: course 14D or 30B, with a grade of C- or better. Recommended: Life Sciences 2, 3. Structure of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; enzyme catalysis and principles of metabolism, including glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. P/NP or letter grading.

**153L. Biochemical Methods I. (4) Lecture, two hours; laboratory, four hours. Enforced requisites: courses 14CL and 14D, or 30B and 30BL, and 153A or 153AH (may be taken concurrently), with grades of C- or better. Integrated term-long project involving characterization of an enzyme purified from meat obtained at local butcher. Techniques include ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography, protein and enzyme assays, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel exclusion chromatography, and enzyme kinetic analysis. P/NP or letter grading.

 

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

C139. Cell, Developmental, and Molecular Neurobiology. (6) Lecture, six hours. Fundamental topics concerning cellular, developmental, and molecular neurobiology, including intracellular signaling, cell-cell communication, neurogenesis and migration, synapse formation and elimination, programmed neuronal death, and neurotropic factors. Concurrently scheduled with course CM220. Letter grading.

 

Neurobiology

M169. History of Neurosciences. (4) (Formerly numbered M246.) (Same as Medical History M169.) Lecture, one hour; discussion, two hours. Development of neurosciences, especially neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, from Enlightenment era through latter 20th century. Emphasis on fundamental nerve functions, cell communication, and technological, conceptual, and cultural influences that have shaped understanding of brain and nervous system. P/NP or letter grading.

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Physiological Science

C126. Biological Clocks. (4) (Formerly numbered 126.) Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: courses 111A, 111B, and 111C, or M180A, M180B, and M180C. Most organisms, including humans, exhibit daily rhythms in physiology and behavior. In many cases these rhythms are generated from within organisms and are called circadian rhythms. Biological basis of these daily rhythms or circadian oscillations. Exploration of molecular, cellular, and system-level organization of these timing systems. Temporal role of these variations in maintaining homeostatic mechanisms of body and impact on nervous system. Concurrently scheduled with course C226. Letter grading

135. Dynamical Systems Modeling of Physiological Processes. (5) (Formerly numbered C135.) Lecture, four hours; laboratory, two hours. Examination of art of making and evaluating dynamical models of physiological systems and of dynamical principles inherent in physiological systems. Letter grading.

138. Neuromuscular Physiology and Adaptation. (4) Requisites: course 111B, Chemistry 153A. Cellular responses to acute and chronic exercise and environmental states of neuromuscular system.

C144. Neural Control of Physiological Systems. (5) Lecture, four hours. Requisite: course 111B or M180B. Role of central nervous system in control of respiration, circulation, sexual function, and bladder control. Material for each section to be developed by combination of lecture and open discussion. Concurrently scheduled with course C244.

146. Principles of Nervous System Development. (4) Lecture, four hours. Requisites: courses 107 (or Neuroscience 102) and 111A (or M180A or Neuroscience M101A). Examination of construction of vertebrate nervous system as series of steps beginning with several embryonic cells and culminating as complex highly ordered system. Topics include neurulation, regionalization, neurogenesis, migration, axonal outgrowth, and synapse formation. Letter grading.

147. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. (5) Lecture, four hours; research demonstration, one hour. Requisite: course 111A or M180A. Changes in central nervous system that accompany learning, with emphasis on cellular mechanisms.

M173. Anatomy and Physiology of Sense Organs. (4) (Same as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology M173.) Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: courses 111A (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology 171) or M180A and M180B (or Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology M175A and M175B). Structure and function of sense organs. Adoption of quantitative and comparative approach to provide insight into evolution of sense organs in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Letter grading.

177. Neuroethology. (5) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Requisite: course 111A. Physical properties of animal signals and physiological mechanisms underlying their generation. Topics include classical neuroethological models: acoustic and vibration communication in vertebrates, sound localization in owls, electrosensing and electrocommunication in electric fish, and neurobiology of birdsong. Letter grading.

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