This mandatory pass/fail course is for first-year graduate students in the Neuroscience and Behavior Program. The primary goal of this proseminar is to provide graduate students with the tools to be successful in the NSB program, to prepare them for the challenges that they may face during their graduate careers, and to expose them to the professional skills and strategies that will help them for their careers.

Independent student research in neuroscience and behavior. The work is supervised by a faculty sponsor who determines direction of the project, reports required, grade and credit awarded. The project may consist of laboratory research, library research, or some combination of the two. Credit is variable (1-6 credits) and independent study may be repeated each semester. May be taken for a letter grade or graded Satisfactory (SAT). A SAT is similar to the undergraduate Pass (P) and is defined as passing for graduate credit.

Provides the background necessary to understand the molecular and cellular processes underlying brain development and neural functioning. This understanding is becoming increasingly important with the advent of transgenic animals and their use.

Biology of nerve cells and cellular interactions in nervous systems. Lectures integrate structural, functional, molecular, and developmental approaches. Topics include neuronal anatomy and physiology, neural induction and pattern formation, development of neuronal connections, membrane potentials and neuronal signals, synapses, sensory systems, control of movement, systems neuroscience and neural plasticity.

Biology of nerve cells and cellular interactions in nervous systems. Lectures integrate structural, functional, molecular, and developmental approaches. Topics include neuronal anatomy and physiology, neural induction and pattern formation, development of neuronal connections, membrane potentials and neuronal signals, synapses, sensory systems, control of movement, systems neuroscience and neural plasticity.

The brain and its relation to behavior. Elements of the brain and their circuits, the major functions of the brain, how they operate. How neuroscientists study the brain and nervous system. Some major brain diseases and disorders; how they may be treated.

This laboratory course employs zebrafish embryos and larvae to examine the molecular mechanisms that underlie brain development and growth. As a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) students conduct real scientific research aimed at addressing unanswered questions in neurodevelopment, including the regulation of neural stem cells and how physiological/environmental challenges might affect stem cell proliferation and post-embryonic brain growth.