Neuroscience: Exploring Neuroscience w/lab

In-depth survey of neuroscience topics, including neuron function, the anatomical and functional organization of the nervous system, and diseases of the nervous system. With lab. Credit not awarded for both NSCI 2100 and NSCI 2105. Prerequisites: PSYS 1400; BIOL 1400, BIOL 1450; or BCOR 1400, BCOR 1450; or BIOL 1000, BIOL 1005; or BIOL 1000, BCOR 1425; or ANPS 1190, ANPS 1200. Pre/Co-requisites: CHEM 1400.

Prereqs enforced by the system: PSYS 1400, and one of the following: BIOL 1400/1450, BCOR 1400/1450, BIOL 1000/1005, BIOL 1000/BCOR 1425, or ANPS 1190/1200. Pre-/Co-requisite: CHEM 1400. Neuroscience majors or minors. Must register for a NSCI 2100 lab; For the non-lab version of this course, see NSCI 2105. Colocated w/ NSCI 2105 A. PACE students by permission and override.

Note: This course + lab is intended for Neuroscience majors working toward a BS, and is one option for BA Neuroscience majors - students wishing to take Exploring Neuroscience to fulfill credits for a minor or other purposes should take the NSCI 2105 course without the lab. The goal of this course is to provide students with a foundation in the basic principles of how nervous systems produce behavior. This will include an interdisciplinary survey of the broad field of neuroscience, leading to the understanding of relationships between nervous system structure and function, from the cellular and molecular levels to the behavioral and cognitive levels, including an introduction to methodologies in neuroscience. Topics covered range from neuron structure and synaptic communication to sensory systems, learning and memory, and motivated behaviors. Course goals and objectives include: 1. Identify and summarize key concepts in neuroscience 2. Conceptualize the fundamental relationships between nervous system structure and function 3. Strengthen scientific reading and writing skills a. Familiarization with methodologies b. Acquisition of fluency in the language of neuroscience c. Distinction between a primary research article, review article, and other types of scientific writing The laboratory portion of the course is designed to provide hands-on experience with methods of inquiry in neuroscience. Techniques used range from tissue dissection, staining and visualization to recording action potentials, and from sensation and perception to behavior testing in model organisms.

Students will learn to build a foundational understanding of neuroscience, strengthening fluency in the scientific language and scientific writing skills. Students should expect to spend approximately 6 hours per week outside of class on textbook reading, analysis of articles from the primary literature, and writing assignments, per University policy. Required materials include: 1. Textbook ISBN: 9781284211283 2. iClicker Student App (free with UVM's site license) In the lab, students will develop problem-solving skills, data analysis, the scientific method, and science communication. Students should expect to spend approximately 2 hours per week outside of class on preparation and writing assignments.

Assignments, projects, research article analysis and discussion. Midterm and final exam. Laboratory assignments/reports.