Courses of Study:
Major (B.A. / B.S.)
Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Program website: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/neuro01/index.html

Objectives

The major in neuroscience is designed to provide an interdisciplinary program of study of the neural mechanisms involved in the control of human or animal behavior. The major combines a strong foundation in basic science with more specialized courses in biology and psychology. This program is especially appropriate for students wishing to pursue further study in medicine, experimental psychology, or neuroscience.

The graduate program in neuroscience, leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, is designed to equip students with the advanced knowledge and training necessary to conduct research in this interdisciplinary field. The program comprises three broadly defined areas: behavioral neuroscience involves work with humans in neuropsychology, experimental cognitive neuroscience, and sensory psychophysics, etc.; cellular and molecular neuroscience provides training in electrophysiology, molecular biology, biophysics, and biochemistry appropriate to neurobiology; and computational and integrative neuroscience trains students in the use of experimental and theoretical methods for the analysis of brain function. A typical program will consist of laboratory rotations as well as formal relevant courses, including an advanced course in the student's area of expertise.

How to Become an Undergraduate Major

The neuroscience major requires a strong science courseload. There is a meeting each fall at which interested students can meet with neuroscience faculty to discuss the major. The requirements are listed below and include many options. It is recommended that each major meet with his or her advisor to determine which options best satisfy each student's needs. Because of the number of basic science requirements, it is recommended that students begin enrolling in these courses early, especially those listed as prerequisites for advanced courses in the major. Students interested in senior research should contact prospective mentors by the spring of their junior year.

How to Be Admitted to the Graduate Program

The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, given in an earlier section of this Bulletin, apply here. Applicants for admission to the neuroscience program are also required to take the Graduate Record Examination. The student's undergraduate curriculum should include related fundamental science courses.

Students currently enrolled in other programs at Brandeis may elect to switch over to obtain a neuroscience Ph.D. if they have already met or will meet the degree requirements for the neuroscience degree.

Committee

John Lisman, Chair
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Laurence Abbott
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Susan Birren
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Paul DiZio
(Psychology, Center for Complex Systems)

Irving Epstein
(Chemistry, Center for Complex Systems)

Leslie Griffith
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Jeffrey Hall
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Michael Kahana
(Psychology, Center for Complex Systems)

James Lackner
(Psychology, Center for Complex Systems)

Eve Marder, Graduate Advising Head
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Christopher Miller
(Biochemistry, Center for Complex Systems)

Sacha Nelson, Undergraduate Advising Head
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Daniel Oprian
(Biochemistry, Center for Complex Systems)

Michael Rosbash
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Robert Sekuler
(Psychology, Center for Complex Systems)

Piali Sengupta
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Gina Turrigiano
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Xiao-Jing Wang
(Physics, Center for Complex Systems)

Kalpana White
(Biology, Center for Complex Systems)

Arthur Wingfield
(Psychology, Center for Complex Systems)

Requirements for the Undergraduate Major

A. All students will be required to take the core course in neurobiology, NBIO 140b, and at least one core course in quantitative methods: BIOL 51b, NBIO 136b, NPHY 115a, NPSY 137b, PSYC 51a, or PSYC 210a. A course taken to satisfy the quantitative method requirement cannot also count as an elective course.

Students must choose one of the two tracks described below--Option I leading to a B.A. degree in neuroscience, or Option II leading to a B.S. degree in neuroscience.

Among courses offered to fulfill the requirements of this major: no course may be taken pass/fail and no more than one grade of D in a semester course will be allowed.

The standard neuroscience option is designed to provide students with a general background in neuroscience. In addition to the courses required of all candidates (listed above), students must take six semester courses from those courses listed below under Neuroscience Electives--at least two courses must be selected from each group. Students must also take at least nine semester courses from the Basic Science Electives.

Group 1: BCHM 100a, 101a, 102a, BIOL 22a (Formerly BIBC 22a), 22b, 42a, 50b, 103b, 105b (Formerly BIBC 105b), 111a, 149b, NBIO 47a, 136b, 143b, 145, 147a, 148b, and NPHY 115a.

Group 2: NPSY 12a, 22b, 120b, 125a, 127a, 137b, 154a, 159a, 172a, 174a, 175b, 196b, and 199a.

A student who has completed two courses in both groups may petition to substitute NEUR 98a, b, or NEUR 99d for one of the remaining two courses. Students must enroll in all laboratories that accompany electives used to satisfy these requirements. (BIOL 18a and b must be taken along with BIOL 22a and b, but no additional credit for the major will be received).

The basic science electives include all courses numbered 10 and above in chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. Courses numbered below 10 may not be included in this group. Laboratory courses are counted as one-half of a regular semester course.

The B.S. program is an intensive neuroscience option designed to provide students with a strong background in neuroscience and associated areas. In addition to the courses required of all candidates (listed above), students must take seven semester courses from those listed above in "Neuroscience Electives", with at least two courses selected from each group. Candidates for the B.S. must also take at least 10 semester courses from the offerings given above in "Basic Science Electives". Courses numbered below 10 may not be included in this group.

B. Honors Program

Candidates for honors in neuroscience must petition the program committee during the fall of their senior year to enter the Senior Honors Program. Candidates must enroll in NEUR 99d to carry out a senior research project and oral defense.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

Candidates for honors in neuroscience may be admitted to a special four-year B.S./M.S. program upon recommendation of the Neuroscience Program and approval by the Graduate School. Application must be made by May 1 preceding the senior year. Applications should include a proposed course of study specifying how the degree requirements will be met, a transcript, and a brief description of the proposed research project. To qualify for the B.S./M.S. degree in neuroscience students must complete a total of 38 courses. These courses must include those needed to satisfy the requirements for the B.S. degree, as indicated above, plus three additional electives chosen from the neuroscience electives listed above. Of the 10 electives required for the B.S./M.S. degree, at least six must be at the graduate level (and completed with a grade of B- or above). In addition, a substantial research contribution is required and students must submit a research thesis to the neuroscience graduate committee for review. A thesis submitted for the master's degree may also be submitted for honors in neuroscience.

Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science

Graduate students will be eligible for an M.S. in neuroscience if they complete six graduate level courses in neuroscience or related fields to be agreed upon with the neuroscience advising head with a grade of B- or better, and a research project. The six courses will include at least one each in the three subareas of neuroscience (behavioral, cellular and molecular, and computational neuroscience), and M.S. candidates must either take NBIO 140b or have taken its equivalent before entering the program. The research component can be met by satisfactory performance in three or four laboratory rotations (including submission of written rotation reports) or submission of a research thesis to the Neuroscience Graduate Committee for review.

The minimum residence requirement for the M.S. degree is one year.

Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

NBIO 140b (Principles of Neuroscience) is required. Students must complete at least three, 12-week laboratory rotations, at least two of which must be in neuroscience labs. One such lab may be in a Brandeis non-neuroscience lab. They also must complete at least six graduate-level courses relevant to their area of interest, with a course program to be agreed upon by the advising head of the subarea, the student, and the advisor. These must include at least three neuroscience courses, and at least one not in the student's own subarea. Other courses should be relevant graduate level courses (such as molecular biology or biochemistry for the molecular and cellular students, advanced statistics for the behavioral neuroscience students, etc.). First and second year students shall enroll in NBIO 250d (Neuroscience Proseminar) and all students should enroll in NBIO 306d (Topics in Neurobiology). All students are required to take CONT 300b (Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences), typically in the spring of their first year.

The suggested schedule of course work for the first two years is the following:

First Year

Fall: NBIO 140b, NBIO 148b, NBIO 250d, and NBIO 306d.

Spring: CONT 300b, NBIO 145b, NBIO 250d, NBIO 306d, and one course selected from the Neuroscience Electives.

Second Year

Fall: NBIO 250d, NBIO 306d and one course selected from the Neuroscience Electives.

Spring: NBIO 250d, NBIO 306d and one course selected from the Neuroscience Electives.

Complete two proposition-type qualifying exams. One of these shall be in the field of neuroscience, but not directly related to the student's thesis work (end of first year). One shall be in the form of a formal thesis proposal (end of second year).

As part of their Ph.D. training, students act as teaching fellows for two semesters in courses taught by neuroscience faculty.

The minimum residence requirement is three years.

Complete a Ph.D. thesis in the field of neuroscience. Normally this work would be carried out in the laboratory of one of the members of the neuroscience training faculty. After submission of the dissertation, the candidate will be expected to present the principal results of his or her work and its significance during an examination in defense of the dissertation. A public seminar to the University community is also required.

Courses of Instruction

(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students

NPSY 11b Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
(formerly PSYC 11b)
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a or MATH 10a, or permission of the instructor. This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken PSYC 11b in previous years.
Data and theories regarding current conceptions of brain-behavior relationships. Begins with an introduction to neural systems as classically defined (sensory, association, motor, autonomic), and moves on to examination of the biological underpinnings of various behaviors, from those relating to basic drives (reproduction, feeding) to those with a cognitive flavor. Throughout, the accent is on interactions between organisms and environment (learning). Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Mr. Katz

NPSY 12a Sensory Processes
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a, or MATH 10a, or permission of the instructor.
Examines the human senses, emphasizing sight and hearing, studied from standpoints of anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics. Insights from the study of special observers including developmentally immature humans, members of nonhuman species, and people with abnormal sensory systems. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Mr. Sekuler

NPSY 22b Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: PSYC 1a or MATH 10a, and sophomore standing in psychology or neuroscience.
Cognitive factors in perception, attention, memory, and language. Experimental investigations will be emphasized. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Messrs. Kahana and Wingfield

NEUR 98a Readings in Neuroscience
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff

NEUR 98b Readings in Neuroscience
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year.
Staff

NEUR 99d Senior Research
Signature of the instructor and the senior honors coordinator required.
A year-long, two-semester course involving the student in an independent research project conducted under the supervision of a staff member and serving as an intensive introduction to specific methods of neuroscience research. In cases where students are able to do unusually long, intensive work in the laboratory, they may request a third course credit during the petition process; if this request is approved by the senior honors coordinator, students should register for NEUR 99d (fall) followed by NEUR 99e (spring). The combined enrollments for Senior Research may not exceed three semester course credits. To fulfill the NEUR 99 requirements, students must (1) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their first NEUR 99 semester, a paper that reviews the literature pertinent to their field of research, and (2) submit to their research sponsor, at the conclusion of their second NEUR 99 semester, a senior thesis that includes an abstract, an introduction, a review of materials and methods, results, discussion, and references. Usually offered every year.
Staff

NEUR 99e Senior Research
Signature of the instructor and the senior honors coordinator required.
See NEUR 99d for course description. Usually offered every year.
Staff

(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students

NPHY 115a Dynamical Systems, Chaos, and Fractals
[ sn ]
Prerequisite: PHYS 10a or 11a, MATH 21a, MATH 36a, or approved equivalents.
Advanced introduction to the theory of nonlinear dynamical systems, bifurcations, chaotic behaviors, and fractal patterns. Concepts and analysis are illustrated by examples from physics, chemistry, and biology. The course will be complemented by a significant number of computer labs. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the spring of 2001.
Mr. Wang

NPSY 120b Man in Space
[ sn ss ]
Enrollment limited to 25.
Topics include how orbital flight is achieved, spacecraft life support systems, circulatory dynamics, sensory-motor control and vestibular function in free fall, and the physiological and psychological adaptations necessary in space flight, and how astronauts must readapt on return to Earth. Usually offered every year. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Mr. Lackner

NPSY 125a Advanced Topics in Perception and Adaptation
[ sn ss ]
Enrollment limited to 10.
Covers current issues and theories in vision, vestibular function, proprioception, and adaptation to unusual force environments from psychological and biological perspectives. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the fall of 2000.
Mr. Lackner

NPSY 127a Motor Control
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: NPSY 11b (formerly PSYC 11b) and NPSY 12a or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 20.
Surveys control of posture, movement, gesture, and speech from various perspectives including muscle properties, reflex organization, central neural mechanisms, spatial representations, and learning, and development. Emphasizes research in physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the fall of 2001.
Mr. DiZio

NBIO 136b Computational Neuroscience
[ sn ]
Prerequisites: MATH 10a or PHYS 10a and 10b or approved equivalents.
An introduction to the development, analysis, and computer simulation of mathematical models. Topics include modeling of neurons, neural networks, population dynamics, magnetic systems, nonlinear oscillations, and chaotic systems. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Mr. Abbott

NPSY 137b Cognitive Modeling
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisites: MATH 10b and PSYC 51a or NPSY 136b. Enrollment limited to 18.
A general introduction to the construction and simulation of mathematical models of human cognitive processes. The major emphasis will be on models of human learning and memory. Students will be expected to have some background in computer programming. Usually offered every second year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.

Mr. Kahana

NBIO 140b Principles of Neuroscience
[ sn ]
Prerequisite: BIOL 22b or permission of the instructor.
Basic principles of neurobiology. Topics include ion channels and their role in generating resting and action potentials; basics of synaptic physiology and pharmacology; neural circuits underlying behavior, learning, and mental illness. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Marder

NBIO 143b Developmental Neurobiology
[ sn ]
Prerequisite: BIOL 22b or permission of the instructor.
Discusses the mechanisms used in the development of the nervous system. Topics include determination of neuronal cell fates, neuronal differentiation and pattern formation, and mechanisms responsible for generation of connectivity in the nervous system. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Ms. Sengupta

NBIO 145b Systems Neuroscience
[ sn ]
Prerequisite: NBIO 140b.
Deals with the fundamental issues relating to the function of the central nervous system. Topics covered include perception, memory, consciousness, and action. Emphasizes the insight that can be gained by multiple perspectives, in particular: anatomy, cellular physiology, in vivo recordings from awake-behaving animals, psychophysics (behavior), and computational modeling. Usually offered every year. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Mr. Lisman

NBIO 147a Neurogenetics
[ sn ]
Prerequisites: BIOL 18a and BIOL 22a (formerly BIBC 22a). Signature of the instructor required.
Development and function of the nervous system and responses of excitable cells studied in neurological and behavioral mutants. Characterization and manipulation of genes, defined by these mutations and using molecular biological tools. Organisms: microbes, roundworms, fruit flies, mammals. Neurobiological areas: embryonic neural development, nerve cell differentiation and pattern formation, membrane excitability, responses to visual and chemical stimuli, biological rhythms, and reproductive behavior. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the spring of 2001.
Mr. Hall

NBIO 148b Cellular Neuroscience
(formerly NBCH 148b)
[ sn ]
Prerequisite: NBIO 140b or permission of the instructor. May be taken concurrently with NBIO 140b. This course may not be repeated for credit by students who have taken NBCH 148b in previous years.
Focuses on the ionic and molecular basis of action and synaptic potentials with special emphasis on cellular mechanisms of plasticity. Students examine the Hodgkin-Huxley experiments on axonal action potentials and the original research literature dealing with all aspects of synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and their plasticity. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Ms. Turrigiano

NPSY 154a Human Memory
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 22b. Enrollment limited to 18.
Presents a systematic analysis of current memory research and theory with an emphasis on list learning experiments and neural network models. Usually offered every third year. Last offered in the spring of 2000.
Mr. Kahana

NPSY 159a Advanced Topics in Episodic Memory
[ ss ]
Prerequisite: NBIO 140b or NPSY 154a, and permission of the instructor. Signature of the instructor required.
Deals with current topics in the study of episodic memory. Discussions and readings on topics such as memory for temporal order, category learning, associative symmetry, item versus associative recognition, theories of search in free recall, and the memory systems controversy. Usually offered every second year. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Mr. Kahana

NPSY 174b Visual Cognition
[ ss sn ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 12a or permission of the instructor.
Higher-order processes in vision. Visual impact of cognitive and other top-down influences, including attention, expectation, plasticity, and learning. Focus on visual recognition, contour formation, segmentation, temporal binding, face and object perception. Studies of visual perception in brain-damaged individuals. Usually offered every second year. Last offered in the spring of 2002.
Mr. Sekuler

NPSY 175b The Neuroscience of Vision
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 12a or permission of the instructor.
Examines the neural basis of human vision from several complementary perspectives. Relates visual capacities of human observers to the structure and function of the visual system. Considers computational and functional neuroimaging approaches to vision. Usually offered every second year. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Mr. Sekuler

NPSY 196b Advanced Topics in Cognition
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 159a or permission of the instructor. Signature of the instructor required.
This seminar covers current issues and research in memory, speech perception, and processing resource limitations. Emphasis will be placed on the current literature in the field. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Mr. Wingfield

NPSY 197a Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience
[ ss ]
Prerequisites: NPSY 11b (formerly PSYC 11b) or NBIO 140b, or permission of the instructor. Signature of the instructor required.
Covers current research and issues pertaining to the neurobiology of perception (focusing mainly but not exclusively on perception of chemosensory signals) as well as the neurobiology of simple learning. Usually offered every year. Will be offered in the fall of 2002.
Mr. Katz

NPSY 199a Human Neuropsychology
[ sn ss ]
Prerequisite: NPSY 22b or NBIO 140b, or permission of the instructor.
Designed as an introduction to human neuropsychology. Topics include cerebral dominance, neuroanatomical mapping, and localization of function, with special reference to language, memory, and related cognitive function. Usually offered every second year. Will be offered in the spring of 2003.
Mr. Wingfield

(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students

NPSY 207b Seminar in Perception
(Formerly PSYC 207b)
Examines the various aspects of visual, vestibular, motor, and proprioceptive information by which objects and events in three-dimensional space are perceived by human observers. Current research in psychology and in artificial intelligence is considered. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Lackner

NBIO 250d Neuroscience Proseminar
Limited to first- and second-year neuroscience Ph.D. students.
Required seminar for first- and second-year graduate students in the neuroscience Ph.D. program. Discusses relevant papers from the current literature with an emphasis on increasing oral presentation skills, experimental design, and proposal writing. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Marder

NEUR 298a and b Readings in Neuroscience
Usually offered every year.
Staff

NEUR 299a and b Master's Research Project
Usually offered every year.
Staff

NEUR 300d Laboratory Rotations
Staff

NBIO 306d Topics in Neurobiology
Usually offered every year.
Ms. Birren

NBIO 340d Computational and Systems Neurosciences
Usually offered every year.
Mr. Abbott

NPHY 341b Neural Computation
An advanced graduate seminar on current theoretical issues dealing with the dynamics and information processing of neural systems. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Wang

NEUR 401d Dissertation Research
Independent research for the Ph.D. degree. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff

CONT 300b Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences
Required of all first-year graduate students in health-related science programs. Not for credit.
Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of addressing ethical issues and values associated with scientific research. This course, taught by University faculty from several graduate disciplines, will cover major ethical issues germane to the broader scientific enterprise, including areas or applications from a number of fields of study. Lectures and relevant case studies will be complemented by two public lectures during the course. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Fulton

Cross-Listed Courses

BIOL 149b
Molecular Pharmacology