BIONB 2220 - Neurobiology and Behavior II: Introduction to Neuroscience

(PBS)

Spring, summer. 3-5 credits, variable.

Prerequisite: one year of college level biology for majors (comparative physiology and/or cell and developmental biology are recommended) and one year of chemistry. Priority is given to students studying neurobiology and behavior. Not open to freshmen. May be taken independently of BIONB 2210. 3 credits with no discussion section; 4 credits with one disc per week with problem sets and writing assignments (recommended); 5 credits with one or two disc per week and participation in Writing in the Majors program; 4- or 5-credit option required of students in neurobiology and behavior program of study. Limited to 15 students per 4-credit disc (contact lmm8@cornell.edu to choose disc section). Limited to 12 students in 5-credit option (students may not preregister for 5-credit option; interested students complete application form on first day of class). The 5-credit writing section is not offered in summer.

Spring, J. R. Fetcho; summer, D. Dean.

An introduction to neuroscience: the structure and function of the nervous system of humans and other animals. Topics include the cellular and molecular basis for cell signaling, the functions of neurons in communication and in decision making; neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, sensory systems, motor systems, neural development, learning and memory, and other complex brain functions. The course will emphasize how the nervous system is built during development, how it changes with experiences during life, how it functions in normal behavior, and how it is disrupted by injury and disease. Discussion sections will include a dissection of a preserved brain. BioNB2220 website

Outcome 1: Demonstrate mastery of the core principles and concepts of the field of Neuroscience – a multi-disciplinary field that attempts to understand the neural basis of behavior.

Outcome 2: Demonstrate their understanding of the scientific method as applied to neuroscience by linking fundamental concepts and principles in the field to the basic observations and experiments that led to their development.

Outcome 3: Be conversant in multiple approaches used in the field of Neuroscience from molecules, to cells, and to neural circuits.

Outcome 4: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance of biological evolution for the study of the human nervous system.