TEACHING
NEUR101 - Introductory Neuroscience
An introductory course covering the major themes of contemporary neuroscience, including electrical and chemical signaling in the nervous system, sensory processing, control of movement, and development of the nervous system. Higher brain functions such as learning and memory, emotions, language, addiction, and the sleep-wake cycle will be considered, as will major neurological disorders.
Prerequisites: None
NEUR208 - Neurobiology
This course examines the molecular basis of communication within animal nervous systems, with an emphasis on electrical and synaptic activity. Molecular and cellular aspects of sensory and motor systems will also be covered.
Prerequisites: (CHEM120 or CHEM150) and (NEUR101 or BIOL133).
BIOL233 - Molecular Cell Biology
This course is designed to be a continuation of BIOL133. In BIOL133, you studied the regulation of gene expression, the maturation of mature mRNA and the synthesis of proteins. In BIOL233, you will examine protein quality control and protein trafficking, learn how the cell is organized, and study the mechanisms of cell behavior. The goal of this course is to give you a firm understanding of cell biology. Additionally, it is designed to prepare for you for your upper level molecular biology courses, both with respect to course content and study skills. You will learn how to take notes on lecture material, study these notes, and integrate information to understand the cell as a whole, all of which will benefit you in future courses.
Prerequisites: BIOL 133
Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHEM 120 or CHEM 150
BIOL243 - Molecular Methods
This course focuses on close readings of the primary and secondary literature in the field of cellular and molecular biology. Experimental methodologies are a primary focus of this course as they pertain to design and analysis of techniques in the molecular biology field. Both in lecture and in laboratory, analysis of writing style and rationale for experimental design is evaluated.
Prerequisites: BIOL 133 and (CHEM 120 or CHEM 150)
NEUR351 - Experimental Neurobiology
This lecture and laboratory course utilizes electrical recordings from a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates to build upon topics discussed in NEUR 208, illustrating the principles of nervous system communication in sensory and motor systems. The course will also include the roles of hypothesis testing, models, data analysis, and the scientific method in understanding how experimental data can lead to knowledge of nervous system function.
Prerequisites: NEUR 208
NEUR415 - Ion Channels and Disease
This upper level course will examine the structure and function of ion channels at the molecular level, including the biophysics of ion permeability, voltage-sensing, and activation by neurotransmitters. Approximately half of the course will be student-led discussions on research papers that detail ion channel dysfunction that lead to disease.
Prerequisites: (NEUR 208 or NEUR225 or NEUR254 or PSYC225 or PSYC254) and (BIOL233 or BIOL243 or PSYC251)
BIOL424 - Biology Senior Seminar
This senior course focusses on the communication of science. The overall objectives for this course center around clear communication and can be divided into five major themes: impromptu communication, personal reflection, story development, audience and misconceptions, & careful listening.
Prerequisites: BIOL 223 or BIOL 224, only open to seniors pursuing majors in Biology