Beyond the vague idea that scientific, claims, methods and results should not be "influenced" by particular perspectives, the notion of objectivity in the sciences has proven difficult to characterize. How should scientific objectivity be defined? Is it desirable? To what extent can scientists achieve it? What are the consequences for society of different conceptions of scientific objectivity? This course explores
these and other questions through examination of past and current scientific practice. Enrollment limited to 40.

A study of Western philosophy from the early Greeks to the end of the Middle Ages, with emphasis on the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and Epicureans, and some of the scholastic philosophers.

Formal logic and informal logic. The study of abstract logic together with the construction and deconstruction of everyday arguments. Logical symbolism and operations, deduction and induction, consistency and inconsistency, paradoxes and puzzles. Examples drawn from law, philosophy, politics, literary criticism, computer science, history, commercials, mathematics, economics and the popular press. Enrollment limited to 15.

Formal logic and informal logic. The study of abstract logic together with the construction and deconstruction of everyday arguments. Logical symbolism and operations, deduction and induction, consistency and inconsistency, paradoxes and puzzles. Examples drawn from law, philosophy, politics, literary criticism, computer science, history, commercials, mathematics, economics and the popular press. Enrollment limited to 15.

Formal logic and informal logic. The study of abstract logic together with the construction and deconstruction of everyday arguments. Logical symbolism and operations, deduction and induction, consistency and inconsistency, paradoxes and puzzles. Examples drawn from law, philosophy, politics, literary criticism, computer science, history, commercials, mathematics, economics and the popular press. Enrollment limited to 30.

This is an interactive lab class giving students hands-on experience working with techniques used in the study of cellular neuroscience. Techniques include: sterile cell culture, transfection (overexpression and siRNA), immunocytochemistry, cellular signaling assays and a variety of cellular functional assays. Major physiological mechanisms that underlie cellular signaling mechanisms are explored through the discussion of recent scientific literature with an emphasis on innovative techniques and strategies which allow researchers to test hypotheses and advance new concepts.

This course investigates how the brain regulates the production and release of hormones, as well as how hormones act on the brain to affect behaviors such as aggression, affiliation, parenting, sexual behavior, feeding and learning. Prerequisites: NSC 210 and one of BIO 200, BIO 202 or BIO 230, or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 20.

Offered as BIO 308 and NSC 308. Formerly BIO 310. Molecular level structure-function relationships in the nervous system. Topics include development of neurons and glia, neuron-specific gene expression, molecular biology of neurological disorders and the mechanisms of nervous system plasticity and repair. Prerequisites: BIO 200 and NSC 210 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 20.

A laboratory course exploring anatomical research methods, neurochemical techniques, behavioral testing, design of experiments and data analysis. Prerequisites: CHM 111 or CHM 118; and NSC 130/ PSY 130 or NSC 210 (may be concurrent), or equivalent. Restrictions: Not open to seniors. Enrollment limited to 16.