NEU X37 NEU 137, 237, 337, 437 Selected Topics in Neuroscience 1-4 Hours
1,2,3,4 Lecture Hours 0 Lab Hours
Topics include recent developments and research methods in the field of neuroscience. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. Some topics may require additional hours.
Pre/Corequisites: Neuroscience 335 with a grade of at least C-.
Grading: Student Option
Repeatable for credit: May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Academic Level: Upper Division
Topic 1: From the Eye to the Brain. Explore physiology of the visual pathway and its relationship to visual perception, prospects for prevention of blinding eye diseases, and functional and ecological adaptations of primate vision. Measure several aspects of students' own visual and sensorimotor function through laboratory experiments and demonstrations. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: From the Eye to the Brain) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 1) may not both be counted.
Topic 2: Nerve Regeneration in Invertebrates and Vertebrates. 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. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Nerve Regenrtn Invrtbrt/Vrtbrt) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 2) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Neuroscience for Plan II. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Tpcs in Neuroscience: Plan II) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Restrictions: Restricted to Plan II students.
Topic 4: Neuroscience Data Analysis in Python. Explore the basics of the python programming language (with a focus on the libraries numpy, matplotlib, scipy, and scikit-learn), statistics, and machine learning. Apply these techniques to analyzing data from neuroscience experiments. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Neuro Data Analysis in Python) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 4) may not both be counted.
Topic 5: Analytical Skepticism. Examine basic principles that allow accurate interpretation of scientific data, with an emphasis on neuroscience data. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Analytical Skepticism) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 5) may not both be counted.
Topic 6: Rigor in Neuroscience. Explore the application and integration of many different approaches, from molecules to behavior. Includes statistics, experimental design, and philosophy of science with a mixture of discussion and hands-on training. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Rigor in Neuroscience) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 6) may not both be counted.
Topic 7: Experimental Neurobiology. Examine neocortical cell and circuits function. Present and critique research goals and strategies. Neuroscience 337 (Topic: Adv Tpcs: Exprmntl Neurobio) and 137, 237, 337, 437 (Topic 7) may not both be counted.