Graduate Courses

The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 2017–2018 and 2018–2019; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.

Courses in other fields of study that are related to the graduate program in neuroscience are described in other sections of this catalog. A list of these courses is available from the advising office.

Neuroscience: NEU

NEU 380C. Computational Neuroscience.

Introduction to computational neuroscience. Examines neural network and learning theory, coding, dynamics, memory, computation and learning in recurrent and feed forward neural circuits. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Electrical Engineering 385V (Topic: Computational Neuroscience), Neuroscience 380C, 385L (Topic: Computational Neuroscience). Prerequisite: Graduate standing, some differential equations and linear algebra, and consent of instructor.

NEU 380E. Vision Systems.

Introduction to the anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics of human vision from an information-processing and computational perspective. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Neuroscience 380E and Psychology 380E may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 080M. Dual MD/PhD Program with UT Medical Branch.

Preclinical medical study at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. May not be taken concurrently with another course at the University of Texas at Austin. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the MD/PhD dual degree program in neuroscience.

NEU 380U. Brain, Behavior, and Evolution.

Same as Biology 380U. Integrative approaches to the study of brain and behavior within an evolutionary and comparative framework. Specifically, the integration of neuroscience, organismal behavior and physiology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary development, experimental evolution, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, systems biology, and bioinformatics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 380U, 384K (Topic: Brain, Behavior, and Evolution), Neuroscience 380U, 385L (Topic: Brain, Behavior, and Evolution). Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

NEU 380V. Biological Foundations of Decision Making.

Same as Biology 380V. Explores the mechanisms biological organisms use to make decisions and how these mechanisms evolved. Defines a conceptual framework for decision making that can be applied across levels of biological organization. Surveys current research on how animals make decisions using genetic, neurobiological, and evolutionary approaches. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 380V, 384K (Topic: Biological Foundations of Decision Making), Neuroscience 380V, 385L (Topic: Biological Foundations of Decision Making). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

NEU 381N. Basic Processes of Nerve Cells.

Same as Biology 381N. Degeneration and regeneration in nervous systems following traumatic injury; invertebrate versus vertebrate, peripheral nervous system versus central nervous system, axonal versus cell body, role of glia versus neurons. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 381K (Topic 10), 381N, Neuroscience 381N, 385L (Topic 1). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

NEU 381V. Mechanisms of Vision.

Physiology of the eye, the retina, and the visual pathways. Prospects for nutritional prevention of blinding eye diseases. Functional and ecological adaptations of primate and nonprimate vision. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 380G, 381V, 385L (Topic: Visual Neuroscience) Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 382E. Epigenetics.

Same as Biology 382E. Study of how epigenetic modifications are covalent modifications of DNA or histones that cause changes in gene expression and how epigenetic modifications appear to be a method through which nurture or the environment can influence nature. Emphasis on how experience or environmental factors epigenetically modify health or behavior of animals. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 381K (Topic: Epigenetics), 382E, Neuroscience 382E. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 182T, 282T, 382T, 482T. Principles of Neuroscience I.

Examines the core material on essential topics in molecular and cellular neuroscience, together with review and discussion of important early studies and contemporary literature. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 383C. Functional Neuroanatomy.

An examination of the anatomy of the brain and spinal cord, emphasizing connections and functions of neural systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Neuroscience 383C and Psychology 383C may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 383D. Neuropharmacology.

An advanced survey of neurotransmitters and systems in the brain. Emphasis is on pharmacological analysis at the molecular level to determine mechanisms of action of drugs that act on the brain. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 383D, Pharmacy 383D, Pharmacy Graduate Studies 383D. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 383M. Data Analysis and Statistics for the Neurosciences.

Statistical applications relevant to areas of research in neuroscience. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, an undergraduate statistics course, and consent of instructor.

NEU 183T, 283T, 383T, 483T. Principles of Neuroscience II.

Examines the core material on essential subjects in systems and behavioral neuroscience, together with review and discussion of important early studies and contemporary literature. For every hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. Neuroscience 383T and Psychology 383T may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 384C. Bootstrap Statistics.

Same as Psychology 384C. An introduction to modern methods of statistical analysis based on numerical computer simulation. Covers a range of common data analysis situations drawn mainly from the fields of neuroscience and experimental psychology. Techniques include point estimation, two-group and multiple group experiments, regression and curve fitting, and Bayesian analysis. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 384C, 385L (Topic: Bootstrap Statistics), Psychology 384C, 394U (Topic: Bootstrap Statistics). Prerequisite: Graduate standing, an undergraduate statistics course, and consent of instructor.

NEU 384M. Advanced Statistics: Inferential.

Same as Psychology 384M. Covers t-test, chi-square, analysis of variance, and nonparametric tests. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, an undergraduate statistics course, and consent of instructor.

NEU 185D. Responsible Conduct of Science.

Ethical considerations in the conduct of science, including issues of animal welfare, data analysis, fraud, publications, misconduct, intellectual property, grants, peer review, and mentor responsibility. One lecture hour a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 185D, Pharmacy 185D, Pharmacy Graduate Studies 185D. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 185L, 285L, 385L, 485L. Topics in Neuroscience.

For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. Additional laboratory hours may vary with the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; twelve semester hours of upper-division coursework in biology; and consent of instructor.

Topic 3: Addiction Biology. Current research in addiction biology. Students present individual research papers and reports. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Biology 381K (Topic 8) and Neuroscience 385L (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 5: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Current research in neuroendocrinology, including action of neuroendocrine systems on behavior, assays of substances in the blood to identify gene products, and examination of stress from neuroendocrine, behavioral, health, and immunity perspectives. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 385L (Topic 5), 394P (Topic: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology), Psychology 394P (Topic 17), 394P (Topic: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology).
Topic 6: Foundations of Human Neuroimaging. A survey of the foundations for neuroimaging research with a focus on cognitive neuroscience. Describes the physical methods of image acquisition and physiological mechanisms used for functional imaging. Emphasis on magnetic resonance methods for structural and functional imaging. Surveys other imaging modalities, including positron emission tomography (PET), optical, and EEG/MEG electrical source localization. Only one of the following may be counted: Biology 381K (Topic: Foundations of Neuroimaging), Neuroscience 385L (Topic 6), 394P (Topic: Foundations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research), Psychology 394P (Topic: Foundations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research), 394P (Topic 13).
Topic 7: Topics in Vision and Hearing. Current research in human vision and hearing. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Neuroscience 385L (Topic 7) and Psychology 394U (Topic 8) may not both be counted.
Topic 8: Ion Channels and Neuronal Signaling. Molecular properties of ion channels and the mechanisms of electrical signaling in neurons and other excitable cells. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 9: Synaptic Physiology and Plasticity in the Central Nervous System. Detailed background in the physiology and plasticity of synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 12: Quantifying Brain Structure. Concepts and hands-on applications for quantifying aspects of brain and cellular structure, with a focus on stereological approaches. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 385L (Topic 12), 394P (Topic: Quantitative Methods for Brain Structure), Psychology 394P (Topic 16: Quantifying Brain Structure), 394P (Topic: Quantitative Methods for Brain Structure).
Topic 13: Neurobiology of Disease. Examines the neurobiological basis of disorders of the brain, with a focus on mental illness. Emphasis on the neural circuitries and neurochemical events that underlie specific mental processes and behaviors. Neuroscience 385L (Topic: Neurobiology of Disease) and Neuroscience 385L (Topic 13) may not both be counted.

NEU 386G, 486G. Functional and Synaptic Neuroanatomy.

Neuroanatomy and functional connectivity as a basis for brain function and behavior examined from gross structure, cytology and nanoscale synaptic connectivity. Subjects includes somatosensory, motor, visual, auditory, olfactory, taste, limbic, vestibular, hypothalamus, and other systems in addition to the synaptic basis of learning and memory, fear, sleep, stress, and synaptic changes during development, aging, mental retardation, and neurological diseases. Laboratory projects include three-dimensional reconstructions from serial section electron microscopy. For Neuroscience 386G, two lecture hours and one and one half laboratory hours a week for one semester; for Neuroscience 486G, three lecture hours and one and one half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 385L (Topic 10), 386G, 486G. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and principles of neuroscience, vertebrate physiology, or other introductory neuroscience course; or consent of instructor.

NEU 190, 290, 390. Research.

The equivalent of one, two, or three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and fifteen semester hours of coursework in neuroscience; students must contact the Neuroscience Graduate Studies Office before registering.

NEU 191. Graduate Seminar in Neuroscience.

Presentations and discussions of research topics in neuroscience. One lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 391N. Learning and Memory.

Same as Psychology 391N. Presentation of contemporary approaches to the study of conditioning and learning at the behavioral level. Focuses on empirical data and theoretical analysis of acquisition and performance in Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning. Includes discussion of habituation, sensitization, stimulus control, and other paradigms for studying cognitive processes in nonverbal organisms. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

NEU 394P. Seminars in Neuroscience.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Current Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience. Brain-behavior relationships, particularly recent research in behavioral neuroscience, including the anatomical and neurochemical mechanisms of behavioral events, and behavioral influences on the brain. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 1) and Psychology 394P (Topic 1) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Neuroanatomical systems that are functionally related to basic forms of learning and memory in mammals. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 3) and Psychology 394P (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 4: Advanced Topics in Neuroanatomy. Neuroanatomical systems and function across species. Basic forms of neuroanatomy in mammals. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 4) and Psychology 394P (Topic 7) may not both be counted.
Topic 7: Analysis of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data. Functional magnetic resonance imaging experimental design and analysis. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 7) and Psychology 394P (Topic 14) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of functional neuroanatomy.
Topic 8: Topics in Systems Neuroscience. Focuses on one or two topics and examines them in depth through group discussions of key scientific manuscripts. Discusses both classical studies and contemporary research. Only one of the following may be counted: Neuroscience 394P (Topic 8), Psychology 394U (Topic 14), 394U (Topic: Advanced Topics in Systems Neuroscience).
Topic 9: Perception and Action. Current topics in visually guided behavior, including eye movements, attention, and motor control, from behavioral, computational, and neurophysiological approaches. Neuroscience 394P (Topic 9) and Psychology 394U (Topic 16) may not both be counted.
Topic 10: Statistical Methods in Computational Neuroscience. Same as Psychology 394U (Topic 19: Statistical Methods in Computational Neuroscience). Introduction to statistical and computational methods for understanding information processing in the nervous system, with emphasis on neural coding and statistical modeling of neural responses. Three class hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 396D. Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Same as Psychology 396D. Recent findings concerning the mechanisms of action and the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs, particularly those used in psychiatry. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

NEU 698. Thesis.

The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: For 698A, graduate standing in neuroscience and consent of the graduate adviser; for 698B, Neuroscience 698A.

NEU 399R, 699R, 999R. Dissertation.

Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

NEU 399W, 699W, 999W. Dissertation.

Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Neuroscience 399R, 699R, or 999R.