Courses

• CAS NE 529: Neuroplasticity: Enabling the Brain to Heal Itself
  Review of neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the astounding reorganizational capacity of the brain. Critical examination of ways to promote this plasticity: early childhood experiences, positive thinking, meditation, exercise, visualization, physical therapy, computerized re-training, and sensory and motor prostheses. Also offered as CAS PS 529.
• CAS NE 530: Neural Models of Memory Function
  Computational models of neurobiological mechanisms for memory function and spatial navigation, with a particular emphasis on cellular and circuit models of the hippocampus and related cortical structures. Also offered as CAS PS 530.
• CAS NE 544: Developmental Neuropsychology
  Study of the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral development. Topics include the plasticity of the developing brain in response to deprivation or damage and mechanisms underlying specific syndromes (e.g., aphasia, dyslexia, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, autism, and Tourette's syndrome). Also offered as CAS PS 544.
• CAS NE 545: Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior
  Molecular and neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling reproductive and parental behaviors, ingestive behaviors and metabolism, and circadian rhythms, pain perception, and reward in vertebrates. Three hours lecture plus student-led discussions of relevant research papers. Also offered as CAS BI 545.
• CAS NE 554: Neuroendocrinology
  Studies how the two major integrative organ systems of animals, the endocrine and the nervous systems, interact to control physiological and behavioral aspects of reproduction, development, growth, biological rhythms, and homeostasis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Also offered as CAS BI 554.
• CAS NS 101: Integrated Science I
  Laboratory-discussion course. Elementary kinematics and dynamics, conservation laws, introductory electricity and magnetism, properties of light, atoms and molecules, the chemistry and properties of materials. Course work is closely tied to laboratory experiments. Laboratories include computer-based laboratory instruction and computer simulations.
• CAS NS 102: Integrated Science II
  Laboratory-discussion course. Introduction to the evolution of stars, the universe, and planetary systems. Physical description of the planet Earth. Introduction to ecology, environmental science, evolution of life, organisms, and genetics. Students engage in laboratory experiments, group work, and computer simulations.
• CAS NS 221: Oceanography
  A survey of the characteristics and processes of the global ocean. Oceanographic concepts are introduced and developed from their bases in biology, physics, chemistry, and geology.
• CAS NS 222: Maritime Studies
  A multidisciplinary study of the history, literature, and art of our maritime heritage, and the political and economic problems of contemporary maritime affairs.
• CAS NS 223: Nautical Science
  An introduction to the technologies of operation at sea. The concepts of navigation (piloting, celestial, and electronic), naval architecture, ship construction, marine engineering systems, and the physics of sail are taught from their bases in astronomy, mathematics, and physics.
• CAS NS 224: Practical Oceanographic Research
  Provides students with knowledge of the equipment and methodology used in the study of the oceans. Each student collects and analyzes data in support of a research project in a selected aspect of oceanography aboard the SEA sailing research vessels.
• CAS NS 320: Ocean Science and Public Policy
  Examines the connections among science, culture, and marine related public policy. Through a case study of a single policy issue, explores the power, use, and limitations of science and the scientist's voice in determining ocean policy.
• CAS NS 321: Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle
  An exmination of the role of the oceans in the climate system, addressing topics such as the global carbon cycle, the thermohaline circulation, and aspects of global change including warming and sea level rise.
• CAS NS 322: Maritime History and Culture
  Examines the impact of maritime ventures on the societies they contacted. Focus on the resulting social, political, economic, and cultural changes in the Atlantic and Pacific, and on responses documented in the post-Colonial literature of indigenous people.
• CAS NS 323: Marine Environmental History
  Sources and methods of the historian are used to examine the role of human societies in environmental change in the oceans and coastal regions, including overfishing, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
• CAS NS 450: Advanced Topics in Biological Oceanography
  In-depth treatment of a single topic in biological oceanography. Extensive review of classical and contemporary literature. Introduction and practice of current laboratory techniques. Oral presentation and research paper required. Topics may include marine plankton ecology, biodiversity, and satellite oceanography.
• CAS NS 460: Advanced Ocean Policy Research
  Advanced policy research focusing on a topic of current importance. Emphasis on theoretical concepts, research methods, and communication. Requires critical review paper, original research, final report, and final presentation. Projected topics include fisheries, biodiversity, marine spatial planning, and cultural heritage.
• CAS NS 540: Concepts in Physics I: Forces and Motion
  For teachers. Mastery of Newtonian concepts including rectilinear motion, Newton's Laws, and conservation of momentum and energy. In order to build pedagogical content knowledge, historical and philosophical context is provided, and science education research on misconceptions in learning classical mechanics is introduced. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
• CAS NS 541: Concepts in Physics II: Rotation and Gravitation
  For teachers. Mastery of physics concepts including uniform circular motion, rotational motion, and gravitation. In order to build pedagogical content knowledge, a historical and philosophical context is provided, and related science education research on misconceptions in learning classical mechanics is also introduced. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
• CAS NS 542: Concepts in Physics III: Fluids and Theormodynamics
  For teachers. Mastery of concepts including fluids and thermodynamics. Connections between microscopic and macroscopic behavior as an example of physical science models. Concepts are discussed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Pedagogy rooted in science education research. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.

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