The following courses are a listing of strongly suggested courses that Neurobiology students may consider for their elective requirements.

Special Topics in Neurobiology: Microscopy and Imaging in Neurobiology
(NBIO 890)
1-5 cr
This course will introduce a wide range of topics related to microscopy, from basic optics to microscopy equipment, conventional techniques, as well as advanced microscopy and data analysis. No background in any discipline is required. The course will build understanding of the principles of microscopy from scratch, proceed to the explanation of conventional and advanced techniques, explain the pitfalls, advantages and disadvantages of each technique, as well as discuss what problems can be addressed with each technique. Spring. Gukassyan.

Special Topics in Neurobiology: Genetic Engineering
(NBIO 890-002)
1-5 cr
This course will introduce modern techniques for genetic engineering, such as BAC transgenesis, optogenetics, and AAV vector design and construction. Students will learn cutting edge molecular engineering with some hands on lab experiments. Lectures will start with the basics of genetic engineering, the methodology of gene manipulation, and the implications of genetic engineering with specific additional topics covered by guest lecturers.  In the lab, students will learn to gather genetic information and design DNA constructs. Fall. Cheng, Brenman.

Special Topics in Neurobiology: Network Neuroscience
(NBIO 890-003)
1-5cr
This graduate-level seminar course combines lectures and paper presentations on cutting-edge interdisciplinary research of dynamics and function of brain networks. The course is designed to be informal and highly interactive and requires active participation. Application of modern tools such as massively-parallel, electrophysiological recordings, large-scale computer simulations, optogenetic manipulations and advanced MR imaging represents a major focus. Fall. Frohlich.

Developmental Neurobiology
(NBIO 724)
3 cr
This paper based seminar explores the basic principles guiding the emergence of the mammalian nervous system. The course presents current topics in developmental neuroscience using selections from current and classic literature. Spring. Anton.

Neural Information Processing
(NBIO 729)
3 cr
This course addresses the fundamentals of nervous system information processing and integration, with examples from sensory systems. Integrative operations are examined from the level of cells through higher brain functions. Fall. Manis.

Gene-Brain-Behavior Interactions in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Towards an Integration of Perspectives on Disease Mechanisms
(NBIO 800)
1-5 cr
This seminar examines the topics of genetics, neuroanatomy, physiology, and behavioral development to provide a broad-based and integrated background to understand the etiology and potential mechanism underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. Fall and Spring. Philpot and Piven.

Clinical Syndromes & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
(NBIO 801)
This seminar-based course reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodevelopmental syndromes and disorders.  Topics range from single gene to complex genetic disorders. Spring. Piven and Philpot.

Biological Bases of Behavior I
(PSYC 701)
3 cr
A survey of psychological and biological approaches to the study of basic learning and higher integrative processing. Fall. Boettiger

Biological Bases of Behavior II
(PSYC 702)
3 cr
The primary objective of the course is to provide an in-depth analysis of the biological basis of behavior with special emphasis on brain-behavior relationships. Topics will highlight research interests of some of the Behavioral Neuroscience Program faculty and include: the neurobiological basis of drug addiction, the role of conditioning in immune alterations, neuroendocrine influence on maternal behavior/aggression, and/or behavioral phenotyping of transgenic and knockout mice. Grades will be based on: 1) in-class presentation of assigned research papers (25%), 2) in-class closed book examinations (75%). This course is open and suitable for graduate students in Psychology and in the Curriculum on Neurobiology who are interested in studying the biological basis of behavior. Spring: Fuchs-Lokensgard, Thiele.

Translational Seminar in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience
(NBIO 727)
2 cr
Introduces new neuroimaging techniques and their application to the study of the neural correlates of cognitive and behavioral impairments in a number of brain disorders. Spring. Belger.

Seminar in Neurobiology: Principles of Brain Evolution
(BIOL 850)
3 cr
Vertebrate brains share many similarities, but they also differ in many ways and those differences underlie many species’ differences in behavior. This seminar will focus on the principles that guided the evolutionary changes in the vertebrate brain. Topics will include: What are the implications of increases in brain size? How do new neural connections arise? What, if anything, is unique about human brains? Fall. Burmeister.

Neuropharmacology of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
(PHCO 728)
3 cr
A lecture/discussion course on the biological bases of alcohol and substance abuse. Spring. (Alt. Yrs) Morrow.

Developmental Genetics
(BIOL 624)
3 cr
The goal of this course is to provide a concise and stimulating investigation of the field of Developmental Genetics. Upon completion of this course students will understand the basic concepts and issues of the field, have an appreciation for the complexity of development at the genetic, cellular and molecular level, and be able to approach the literature with this framework. Fall. Bautch.

Principles of Statistics Infer
(BIOS 600)
3 cr
Bios 600 is an introductory course in probability and statistical inference. This course serves as an introduction to the collection, summarization, analyzation and presentation of data.Topics include sampling, measurement, descriptive statistics, probability, tests of hypotheses, condence intervals, two-sample t-tests, ANOVA, simple linear regression, 2-way tables, and the chi-square distribution. Fall. Long. Spring. Monaco.

Applied Biostatistics
(PHCO 750)
This largely self-study course will deal with basic statistical and quantitative methods for the analysis and interpretation of biomedical data. This course is required for pharmacology, toxicology and pathology graduate students. Fall. Graves.

Research Ethics
(GRAD 721)
1 cr
This course is an introduction to concepts, rules and issues that are central to research ethics. Issues of misconduct, irresponsible behavior, plagiarism etc. will be discussed in the company of fellow graduate students, researchers and faculty. The course wants to make the students feel part of a community that takes integrity and character as seriously as innovation and discovery. Fall. MacLean.

Developmental Toxicology and Teratology
(CBIO 423)
3 cr
Emphasizes topics of current research interest relative to the genesis of environmentally caused and genetically based birth defects. Spring (alt yrs): Sulik.

Studies in Oral Biology
(OBIO 732)
1.5 cr
Overview of structures and biological determinants of conditions and diseases of the oral cavity. Both growth and development and pathophysiology will be introduced in the context of three areas of oral biology: biology of extracellular matrices, host-pathogens interactions and orofacial neurobiology. Spring. Maixner.

Clinical Psychopharmacology
(PSYC 707)
3 cr
Examinations of the clinical efficacy, side effects and neuropharmacological actions of drugs used in the treatment of behavioral disorders. Additional topics include the behavioral and neuropharmacological actions of drugs of abuse. Spring: Picker.

Behavioral Pharmacology
(NBIO 705)
3 cr
Basic principles of pharmacology and behavior analysis are considered in relation to drugs that affect the central nervous system. Spring. (register under Spring, but actually takes place 6 weeks in summer) Dykstra.

Seminar in the Biological Foundations of Psychology
(PSYC 708)
3 cr
Lectures and seminar presentations on a wide range of topics in the area of physiological psychology. Rotating Topics/Instructors. Instructors include: Boettiger, Carelli, Dykstra, Fuchs, Hollins, Lysle, Picker, Thiele. Recent topics: "Neurobiology of Alcohol" (Thiele) and "The Frontal Lobes" Spring. Boettiger.

Special Readings in Psychology
(PSYC 791)
3 cr
Intended for advanced graduate students. Fall and Spring: staff.

Statistical Methods in Psychology
(PSYC 830)
4 cr
Data analysis, sampling, applied probability, elementary distribution theory, principles of statistical inference. Fall. Chow.