Text: Tentative List – these titles may change: * Jared Diamond: Why is Sex Fun? * Richard Wrangham & Dale Peterson: Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence * Matt Ridley: The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation * Frans deWaal: Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals * Other selected readings from journal articles.

Content: From its inception, the study of primate behavior has inspired theories of the origin of human nature. This course will explore the ways in which human nature has been viewed through a historical review of primatology, with emphasis on how interpretations of the social patterns of primate behavior have changed through time. Using a multimedia approach, this course will also provide students with an introduction to the non-human primates. What questions and themes have characterized primate studies from their beginning to the present? How have these studies been used to generate theories of the origins of human nature? Gender and culture issues in primatology will also be examined: do women and men scientists view primate societies, and their relevance to human origins, differently? Do scientists from different cultural backgrounds interpret the nature of primate societies in variable ways? Finally, what can we learn about human behavior from studying other primates?

Particulars: Grades will be based on a series of response papers, comments on readings posted on Blackboard, class presentations, and class participation. Freshmen only.

Text: "Concise Handbook of Experimental Methods for the Behavioral and Biological Sciences" (Gould)

Content: This course is intended for NBB majors, and its primary focus will be to educate students in the scientific method: generating testable hypotheses, sampling (observational and experimental), randomization, and control techniques. Students will also learn the basic statistical vocabulary necessary to read and interpret scientific articles in the field. Examples will be drawn from the neurobiological literature. First, the most basic statistical vocabulary, concepts and methods: descriptive statistics, graphical display of data, and probability will be introduced. Then, the most frequently used parametric statistical hypothesis test in neuroscience, including one- and two- sample t-tests will be included. Real data sets will be analyzed using statistical computer packages. This course will be required of all NBB majors taking NBB 495A or NBB 495BWR.

Particulars: Grading will be based on class participation, bi-weekly quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam.

Text: Kandel et al. Principles of Neural Science, 4th Edition. (McGraw-Hill)

Content: An introduction to cellular and integrative neurobiology. Topics include the electrochemical and biophysical mechanisms for neuronal signaling and synaptic transmission, and the neural bases of behavior and perception.

Particulars: Grades will be based on four 1-1/2 hour long exams during the semester and a comprehensive final. There will also be a required 1 hour review session each week.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: CHEM 141 and 142, BIO 141 and 142 is required; completion of MATH 116 and completion or concurrent enrollment in Intro Physics is strongly recommended.

Text: Neurons in Action 2: Tutorials and Simulations Using Neurons (software). (Sinauer)

Content: In this 2-credit hour lab course, students will explore topics in cellular and small network neuroscience by performing virtual electrophysiology experiments on the computer. The content of the course matches material covered in the Introductory Neurobiology course, Biology 360/NBB 301, and will help students understand neurons and neuronal networks in greater depth.

Particulars: To be taken concurrently with or after BIO 360/NBB 301 (TTh, 8:30-9:45, 1462 Clifton Road, Room 230 or TTh, 11:30-12:45, 1462 Clifton Road, Room 308). Grades will be based on class assignments. There will be no exams. This course, taken with BIO360/NBB 301, meets the upper level laboratory requirement for students under the Fall 2006 and later Biology major programs. The course can also be counted as half an elective for the NBB major. Cross-listed as NBB 301L.

Text: To be determined, but will include research articles published in academic journals.

Content: As primates, we are unusually social mammals and devote extensive cognitive effort and resources to managing and maintaining social relationships. Indeed, the need to interact skillfully with others may well have been one of the key selective pressures shaping the evolution of human brain and mind. There has been a recent explosion of research aimed at elucidating the neurobiological substrates that support human social cognition and behavior. This course will review and synthesize this growing body of research coming out of the fields of neuropsychology, psychiatry, neuroimaging and experimental animal research.

Particulars: Grades will be based on several announced quizzes, class presentations and participation, and a final paper in the form of a research proposal.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: ANT 200/NBB 201, PSY 110, or permission of instructor.

Text: Textbook and other readings.

Content: In this course we will explore the ethical issues which arise when humans interact with other animals. Particular focus will be placed on concerns relevant to neuroscientists and other researchers. We will analyze the philosophical debates about the moral status of animals and examine the existing scientific evidence that we can bring to bear on animal welfare issues. Our overall objective is to achieve open and critical thinking about animal welfare issues.

Particulars: Grades will be based on several short papers, a final paper, and a final presentation.

Text: None.

Content: A writing intensive Senior Seminar utilizing primary literature to examine current issues, trends, and controversies in the field of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology.

Particulars: Required for all Seniors in the NBB Program.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: NBB 201, 301 & 302 or permission of the instructor.

Content: Fall, Spring, Summer. Open to senior NBB majors enrolled in the College Honors Program. Honors research in neurobiology/behavior. Registrants attend bi-weekly meetings to present progress reports of their ongoing research, discuss how to write proposals and papers, and give oral presentations.

Special Notes: Pre/co-requisites: Permission of instructor and NBB 221 (PSY 230 not accepted). Cannot be taken concurrently with NBB 497WR or NBB 499R. A maximum of four hours of NBB 495A, 495BWR, 497R, 497WR, or 499R accepted as an elective toward the NBB major. (Forms in NBB Ofice)

Content: Fall, Spring, Summer. Open to senior NBB majors enrolled in the College Honors Program. Honors research in neurobiology/behavior. Registrants attend bi-weekly meetings to present progress reports of their ongoing research, discuss how to write proposals, papers, and give oral presentations. To receive credit for the course and to satisfy the senior-year writing requirement, a student thesis must be accepted by the Honors Program.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Permission of instructor; NBB 221 (PSY 230 not accepted); NBB 495A; (with permission of instructor, may substitute NBB 499R). Cannot be taken concurrently with NBB 499R; may not receive credit for NBB 495BWRa and NBB 497WR under the direction of the same faculty mentor. A maximum of four hours of NBB 495A, 495BWR, 497R, 497WR, or 499R accepted as an elective toward the NBB major. (Forms in NBB Office)

Content: Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit: one to four hours. Independent, faculty-mentored research; designed as a prelude to conducting laboratory research under the same mentor.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. Cannot be taken concurrently with NBB 497WR. A maximum of four hours of NBB 495A, 495BWR, 497R, 497WR, or 499R accepted as an elective toward the NBB major. (Forms in NBB Ofice)

Content: Fall, Spring, Summer. Independent, faculty-mentored research and writing, with major writing assignment(s) accounting for at least 60% of the grade.

Special Notes: Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Cannot be taken concurrently with NBB 497R. May not receive credit for NBB 497WR and 495BWR under the direction of the same faculty mentor. A maximum of four hours of NBB 495A, 495BWR, 497R, 497WR, or 499R accepted as an elective toward the NBB major. (Forms in NBB Office)

Content: Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit: one to four hours. Up to eight hours may be taken, but a maximum of four hours of NBB 495A, 495BWR, 497R, 497WR, or 499R accepted as an elective toward the NBB major. Independent research in neurobiology and behavior. Registrants attend bi-weekly meetings to present progress reports of their ongoing research, discuss how to write proposals, papers, and give oral presentations.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Permission of instructor (for enrollment in a second semester, NBB 221 (PSY 230 not accepted); cannot be taken concurrently with NBB 495A, 495BWR or 497WR. (Forms in NBB Office)

Text:

• Nolte, John, The Human Brain: An Introduction to Its Functional Anatomy.(N) 
• Allman, John, Evolving Brains (A)
• Damasio, Antonio, Descartes' Error (D)
• Powerpoint Lectures on Blackboard Handouts

Content: This course is an upper level introduction to the basis of complex human behavior in the brain. We will focus on human brain structure and function with a view toward mastering the anatomy that underlies cognition and emotion. We will give significant attention to the phylogenetic context of human brain evolution, with reference to comparative neuroanatomy of primates, other mammals, and other vertebrates. We will then proceed to study the most interesting new model of higher brain function, that of behavioral neurologist Albert Damasio. The overall goal is to master the anatomy underlying higher human capacities, but without losing sight of the ways in which our brain’s evolutionary past can inform our understanding of how that brain works now.

Particulars:
Exams:

• Three hour-examinations and a cumulative final, all True/False and Multiple Choice Grading
• 70 percent for the hour-exams (20+25+25)
• 30 percent for the final.
• The third hour exam is optional.

Prerequisites: One or more of the following: Anthropology 210, NBB 201/ANT 200, Psych 103, or Psych 110; or permission of the instructor. Recommended for strongly motivated students

Text: TBA.

Content: This course surveys the global landscape of challenges to physical and mental health that confront us today, and traces the emergence of biosocial approaches to both explaining and tackling these challenges. A major goal for the class is to develop student skills for navigating the current global health situation in the light of theory and practice in public health and biomedicine, as well as global economics, ecology, and resource availability. To accomplish these aims we will cover five recent insights and emerging dynamics in global health, and critically apply them in a series of case studies. Class assignments will take the form of exercises for which students will consult, evaluate, and integrate multiple information resources to assess the state of our knowledge and write reports and analyses. Information resources specialists will contribute training and guidance throughout the course.

Particulars: Prerequisite – Anthropology 230 or 332. Exams – none. Papers – Seven case study analyses, ranging from 2-6 pp.

Text: Garrett, R. and Grisham. Biochemistry, 3rd Edition (Thomson Publishing). (NOTE: This is the standard 3rd edition of the text, not the "updated" 3rd Edition.)Garrett, R. and Grisham. Biochemistry, 3rd Edition (Thomson Publishing)

Content: The Biology and Chemistry Departments cooperate in a two-semester biochemistry course and Biology 301 is the first semester portion of the course. This course gives an integrated approach to the synthesis, structure, and function of macromolecular biomolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, and RNA. The evolution of structural and catalytic diversity at a molecular level will provide a theme that underpins specific examples that will include: the energetics of catalysis, protein structure and folding, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, protein engineering, DNA structure and synthesis, RNA structure and synthesis, and genomic organization and regulation.

Particulars: This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence in Introductory Biochemistry, which is offered jointly by the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Completion of both courses should provide students with a firm foundation in biochemistry.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Biology 141 and 142; Chemistry 222.

Text: Alcock, J. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, 8th Edition. (Sinauer)

Content: This course provides an overview of major research areas in the field of animal behavior. The behavior of animals will be analyzed from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. Specific topics include orientation and migration, genetic and environmental influences on behavior, aggression, courtship and mating strategies, parental behavior foraging, predatory-prey relationships, and social organization.

Particulars: Two one hour exams and a final. Exams are weighted so that your best score represents 40% of your grade, the lowest score counts 25% of the final grade, and the middle score 35%. Students may NOT satisfy a writing requirement in this course.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Biology 141 and 142.

Text: Wolpert, Lewis, et al. Principles of Development, 3rd Edition. (Oxford University Press)

Content: Study of the basic principles underlying development at the cellular, molecular, and organismal levels.

Particulars: Two exams, plus six quizzes. Prerequisites: Biology 141 and 142 (Fall 2005 and later programs) or Biology 141, 142, and 143 (Fall 1998 program).

Text: Widmaier, E., H. Raff, and K. Strang. Vander et. al's Human Physiology, 10th Edition (with FREE Art Notebook). (McGraw-Hill)

Content: A study of human physiology emphasizing homeostatic mechanisms of integrated body functions. Topics include homeostasis and cell signaling, respiration, circulation, contractility, renal function, immunology, endocrinology, and neurophysiology.

Particulars: Five 30-minute quizzes plus a final examination. Credit may be applied towards the Biology or NBB major.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Biology 141 and 142

Text:

• Carew, Thomas J. Behavioral Neurobiology. (Sinauer Associates)
• Selected readings from Scientific America and other review sources.
• Some readings of primary literature.

Content: A survey of current topics in neural development and neural basis of behavior. Emphasis is on research work that uses a combination of physiological, genetic, cellular, and molecular techniques to understand neural systems and their evolution and development.

Particulars: Two midterms and a final; exams are essay and short answer.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, and 143 (old program) or Biology 141 and 142 (new program); Chemistry 141 and 142; and Biology 336 or Biology 360.

Text: Neurons in Action 2: Tutorials and Simulations Using Neurons (software). (Sinauer)

Content: In this 2-credit hour lab course, students will explore topics in cellular and small network neuroscience by performing virtual electrophysiology experiments on the computer. The content of the course matches material covered in the Introductory Neurobiology course, Biology 360/NBB 301, and will help students understand neurons and neuronal networks in greater depth.

Particulars: To be taken concurrently with or after Biology 360/NBB 301. Grades will be based on class assignments. There will be no exams. This course, taken with Biology 360/NBB 301, meets the upper level laboratory requirement for students under the Fall 2006 and later Biology major programs. The course can also be counted as half an elective for the NBB major. Cross-listed as NBB 301L. (NOTE: This course originates in the Biology Department.)

Special Notes: This course may be taken as a corequisite to Biology 360 / NBB 301 , Introduction to Neurobiology (TTh, 8:30-9:45, 1462 Clifton Road, Room 230 or TTh, 11:30-12:45, 1462 Clifton Road, Room 308).

Text: Garrett, R. and Grisham. Biochemistry, 3rd Edition (Thomson Publishing)

Content: The Biology and Chemistry Departments cooperate in a two-semester biochemistry course and Biology 301 is the first semester portion of the course. This course gives an integrated approach to the synthesis, structure, and function of macromolecular biomolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, and RNA. The evolution of structural and catalytic diversity at a molecular level will provide a theme that underpins specific examples that will include: the energetics of catalysis, protein structure and folding, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, protein engineering, DNA structure and synthesis, RNA structure and synthesis, and genomic organization and regulation.

Particulars: This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence in Introductory Biochemistry, which is offered jointly by the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Completion of both courses should provide students with a firm foundation in biochemistry.

Special Notes: Prerequisites: Biology 141 and 142; Chemistry 222.

Text:

Content: This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the field of neuroeconomics. Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of the tools used to study the neurobiology of decision making. Topics will include an introduction to brain anatomy, how neurons function, and key neurotransmitter systems associated with valuation. A core topic will be an introduction to functional MRI and how to use fMRI to measure neurobiological processes of decision making. Practical applications will be covered including the use of fMRI to predict choice, lie detection, social preferences, and neuromarketing.

Particulars: Midterm “white paper” (20%), final research proposal or business plan in which the student proposes a use of fMRI in an economic or business application (paper – 40%, presentation – 40%).
Prerequisites: Economics 201 and 212, or NBB 301 and 302, or consent of instructor.

Special Notes:

Text:

• Beauchamp and Walters, Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
• Pence, Classic Cases in Medical Ethics, 3rd edition

Content: Biomedical ethics is one of several so called practical ethics subjects roughly on a par with business, military and environmental ethics. The problems dealt with in this field of ethics include the following:
1. When, if ever, do health-care providers cease to support human life?
2. Should they ever take steps alone, or with the assistance of patients, to actually end life?
3. Is abortion an ending of life and should it be permitted?
4. When, if ever, should providers not reveal the truth to their patients (or the subjects of experiments)?
5. When, if ever, should health-care providers break rules of confidentiality concerning their patients?
6. How should scarce medical resources be allocated? Should the rich have ccess to these resources first since they have the money to pay for medical services? Or should we tax the rich and thus let others have access (and at the same time deny the rich the opportunity to buy medical services?
7. Is health care in the US being distributed fairly? Does our system of health care need reform? Is managed care in the US making things worse of better?

Particulars: Journal of short essays, two mid-term tests (100 points each), and one semi-cumulative final exam.

Content: The purpose of this course is to examine how perceivers take in, gather, organize, and act on information experienced through the senses. Topics covered will include: 1) visual, auditory, and somatosensory perception; 2) behavioral and neurological research methods for uncovering sensory and perceptual processes; and 3) motor control perception-action links. The format of the course will be primarily lecture with some discussion. Students will read a primary introductory text along with supplemental readings from a selection of books and journals. Both theoretical and methodological issues will be covered.

Content: This course provides an overview of major research areas in the field of animal behavior. The behavior of animals will be analyzed from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. Specific topics include orientation and migration, genetic and environmental influences on behavior,aggression, courtship and mating strategies, parental behavior, foraging, predatory-prey relationships, and social organization.

Particulars: Two one hour exams and a comprehensive final. Exams are weighted so that your best score represents 40% of your grade, the lowest score counts 25% of the final grade, and the middle score 35%.

Text: TBA

Content: This course will cover the biological basis of memory and will move from a description of the fundamental cellular processes of memory to an exploration of the various memory systems of the mammalian brain. The discussion of the memory systems of the mammalian brain will attempt to integrate work from experimental animals with work from humans.

Particulars: Overview of the biological basis of memory, including the molecular and cellular basis of memory as well as a discussion of the memory systems of the mammalian brain.

Content: This course is a survey of the neurobehavioral effects of the various classes of psychoactive drugs, e.g., stimulants, tranquilizers, hallucinogens, etc. Although human experience is taken as the starting point of each drug effect covered, most of the experimental data presented are concerned with attempts to understand behavioral drug effects using nonhuman animal models. A fundamental idea is that by understanding the brain mechanisms through which psychoactive drugs exert their effects, we can understand the brain mechanisms of pain, perception, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, etc.

Particulars: First year students CANNOT take this course.

Content: This advanced seminar will deal with the nature and origins of psychotic disorders. We will examine the manifest symptoms of psychotic disorders and their developmental course across the life span. Students will also study key findings on etiology and neural mechanisms responsible for psychotic symptoms.

Particulars: A research paper will be required.

Special Notes: Prerequisite: Psychology and NBB majors only.