Courses

    Surveys biological bases of learning, motivation, emotion, sensory processes and perception, movement,comparative animal behavior, sexual and reproductive activity, instinctual behavior, neurobiology of language and thought, and neurophysiology and neuroanatomy in relation to behavior. Prereq., PSYC 1001. Approved for GT-SC2. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural science.

    Introduces the basic principles of genetics, covers how these principles can be used in the study of behavior, and evaluates the evidence for genetic influences on behavioral characteristics. Prereq., PSYC 2111 or 3101.

    Follows PSYC 3102, Behavior Genetics, and surveys recent developments in behavior genetics, including recent genotyping and sequencing technologies, statistical approaches, and epigenetics. Prerequisites: Requires a prerequisite course of PSYC 3102 (minimum grade C-).
    Provides a comprehensive treatment of how the brain acquires, stores, and retrieves memories. To do this we will consider (a) the methods used to address these issues, (b) what we know about how brain systems are organized to support memories of different types,and (c) the synaptic mechanisms that are involved. Prereqs., PSYC 2012 or 4052, or IPHY 3730, or NRSC 2100 or 4052, or instructor consent. Same as NRSC 5032. Formerly PSYC 4032 Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

    This advanced course covers the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system in detail, and applies that understanding to the visual, auditory, and sensorimotor systems, demonstrating how the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system can be used to explain behavior. The laboratory uses live animals and computer simulations. Prereqs., PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 or EBIO 1210-1220 or CHEM 1111-1131 or PHYS 1010-1020 or PHYS 2010-2020. NRSC 4052 and PSYC 4052 are the same course. Same as NRSC/PSYC 5052.

    This advanced course covers the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system in detail, and applies that understanding to the visual, auditory, and sensorimotor systems, demonstrating how the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system can be used to explain behavior. The laboratory uses live animals and computer simulations. Prereqs., PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 or EBIO 1210-1220 or CHEM 1111-1131 or PHYS 1010-1020 or PHYS 2010-2020. NRSC 4052 and PSYC 4052 are the same course. Same as NRSC/PSYC 5052.

    Provides an introduction to the concept of stress and the physiological systems involved. Factors modulating stress vulnerability versus resilience, and stress interactions with other systems with health relevance will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on current research on brain mechanisms. A strong foundation and interest in biological psychology, neuroscience, and physiology is recommended. Formerly PSYC 4062. Prerequisites: Requires prerequisite course of PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 (minimum grade C-). Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

    Provides a review of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and then exploes how alterations in these systems can result in neurologic or psychiatric disorders. Emphasizes pathological neuroanatomy, neurophysiology,k and neuropharmacology, which is essential fur understanding problems related to health and disease. Prereqs., PSYC/NRSC 4052 or PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 and one of the following sequences of courses: EBIO 1210 and 1220, MCDB 1150 and 2150, or MCDB 1150 and EBIO 1220. Same as NRSC 5072. Formerly PSYC 4072.

    Provides an introduction to neuroendocrinology with a focus on the interaction between hormones and brain function. Prereqs., PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 or instructor consent. Same as NRSC 5092. Formerly PSCY 4092. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior) Psychology (PSYC) or Neuroscience (NRSC) majors only.

    Study of drug action within the central nervous system. This course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the neurobiological and neurochemical mechanisms of drug action. Topics covered include the following: 1) principles of pharmacology; 2) brain neurotransmitter systems; 3) addiction and the mechanisms of psychoactive action; 4) biochemical basis of psychiatric disorders and their pharmacological treatment. Prereqs., PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 and CHEM 1133. Formerly PSYC 4132. Same as NRSC 5132.

    Traumatic brain injury is prevalent in all aspects of society, with incidence rates varying according to age, gender, military affiliation and participation in certain sports. The course will delve into the full spectrum of consequences following injury, beginning with the individual neural cells in the brain through to the behaving individual. It will also cover strategies to improve functional recovery. Prereq., PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100. Recommended prereq., PSYC/NRSC 4132. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
    Provides in depth study of what is known concerning the neurobiology of mental illnesses, with a focus on depression and anxiety. Consideration will be given to both animal models and human work, with neurochemical, circuitry level, and neuroinflammatory processes to be highlighted. There will be discussion of the intricacies of determining the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, and what the implications of such treatments might be. Prerequisites: Requires prerequisite courses of PSYC 2012 or NRSC 2100 and one of the following: PSYC 4052, NRSC 4052, NRSC 4132, NRSC 4092 or NRSC 4032 (all minimum grade C-).
    Same as NRSC 4032. Formerly PSYC 5032 Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    PSYC 5052 and NRSC 5052 are the same course. Same as PSYC/NRSC 4052. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    PSYC 5052 and NRSC 5052 are the same course. Same as PSYC/NRSC 4052. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    Same as NRSC 4072. Formerly PSYC 5072. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Special topics concerning biological bases of behavior. Prereqs., PSYC 4052 and instructor consent.

    In addition to attending and meeting all the requirements for the lecture portion of the course (NRSC 4092), graduate students meet for an additional hour each week with the instructor to discuss in depth behavioral neuroendocrinology relevant research articles. Same as NRSC 4092. Formerly PSYC 5092. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    Provides introduction to basic principles of genetics in the study of behavior, methods used to examine the influences of genes and environment on behavior, and interpretation of studies using these methods. Instructor consent required. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Examines selected topics in greater detail than is possible in the comprehensive undergraduate course in behavioral genetics (PSYC 3102). Topics covered may include inheritance of behavioral characteristics from perspectives of pharmacogenetics, transmission genetics, biochemical genetics, and evolutionary genetics. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Instructor consent required.

    Surveys principles of genetics of quantitative characteristics. Topics include gene frequencies, effects of mutation, migration, and selection. Also looks at correlations among relatives, heritability, inbreeding, crossbreeding, and selective breeding.

    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Formerly PSYC 5132. Same as NRSC 4132. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Covers fundamental mechanisms of gene action, including genome structure and regulation of gene expression. Discusses molecular techniques used to examine human genetic diseases. Emphasizes genetic diseases with behavioral, neurologic, and physiologic abnormalities. Prereq., IPHY/PSYC 5200 or instructor consent.

    Studies development of structural models appropriate to behavioral genetics and the estimation procedures necessary for their application. Instructor consent required. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Provides a detailed overview of peripheral and central nervous system connectional neuroanatomy targeted at delineating functional sensory, motor and motivational systems, and the control of behavior and cognition. Emphasizes histological, anatomical and functional techniques employed in investigations of the nervous system. Prereqs., PSYC/NRSC 4052 or NRSC 2100 or MCDB 4190. Instructor consent required. Formerly PSYC 5262.

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