NEUR121 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Department of Social & Behavioral Science

  1. Course Number and Title

    NEUR121 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

  2. Number of Credits

    4 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    3750

  4. Prerequisites

    CHEM121 (C or better) or permission of the Social and Behavioral Science Department

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    Lecture-laboratory format to include in-class presentation of content material and participation in hands-on and/or virtual laboratory exercises. Topics are presented in various modes including, but not limited to, traditional lecture style, group and/or individual laboratory exercises, group activities and discussions, and computer simulations.

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course introduces students to the structure and function of the nervous system and the neural foundations of behavior. Topics include cellular components of the nervous system; neuroanatomy; neurophysiology; chemical signaling and neuropharmacology; brain development; behavioral genetics; and the neurobiology of movement, perception, homeostasis, emotion, learning, memory, and cognition.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Students will:
        1. explain and apply basic principles of scientific reasoning to the study of brain structure and function;
        2. identify and retrieve neuroscience articles published in the peer-reviewed literature;
        3. evaluate neuroscience articles published in the peer-reviewed literature;
        4. describe the methods used by neuroscientists to study the nervous system; and
        5. demonstrate an understanding of the anatomical organization of the nervous system, electrical and chemical signaling between neurons, and the biological basis of behavior.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. review of scientific reasoning and scientific literacy skills
      2. neurons and glia
      3. the action potential
      4. neurotransmission and neuropharmacology
      5. neuroanatomy and brain imaging techniques
      6. brain development
      7. behavioral genetics
      8. movement
      9. perception
      10. neural regulation of homeostasis
      11. emotion
      12. learning and memory
      13. cognition

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Exams, laboratory exercises and reports, in-class and/or online participation, and/or projects as specified in the individual instructor’s course format will be utilized.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Students use educational resources as specified in the individual instructor's format.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Approval/Revision Date: Approved 11/16/2012