Courses

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  • CAS MR 533: Scientific Diving and Underwater Research Methods
    Introduces students to underwater research methods. Lecture and dive exercises include diving physics, diving physiology, dive planning, equipment, first aid, and data collection. This course fulfills American Academy of Underwater Sciences scientific diver training requirements. Taught in the Marine Semester.
  • CAS NE 101: Introduction to Neuroscience
    An introduction to the biological basis of behavior and cognition. Includes theoretical and practical foundations rooted in psychology, biology, neuropharmacology, and clinical sciences (e.g., neurology and neuropsychiatry). Neuroethical dilemmas are highlighted and integrated when relevant to discussion topics. Carries natural science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Scientific Inquiry I.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
  • CAS NE 102: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    A cellular and molecular approach to nervous system function. Includes molecular and genetic basis of neurons; structure and function of ion channels, synapses, and glia; mechanisms of signal transduction; neuroendocrinology; and sensory systems and transduction. Project labs focused on anatomy and physiology of neurons. This course fulfills a single Hub unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Ethical Reasoning, Writing- Intensive Course, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS NE 116: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab
    Integration of general chemistry with biology and neuroscience, with an emphasis on how each discipline interacts experimentally. Laboratory focuses on projects relating to enzymes and their function. 3 lecture hours (meets with CAS NE 102 lecture), 3 hours lab.
  • CAS NE 191: Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate research in a topic in neuroscience.
  • CAS NE 192: Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate research in a topic in neuroscience.
  • CAS NE 202: Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
    Cognitive neuroscience seeks to understand the brain basis of cognition. This course introduces research methods and human neuroanatomy, and provides a survey of topics including learning and memory, attention, perception, language, social cognition, and executive function. Also offered as CAS PS 339.
  • CAS NE 203: Principles of Neuroscience with Lab
    Fundamentals of the nervous system, emphasizing synaptic transmission; hierarchical organization; automatic nervous system; mechanisms of sensory perception; reflexes and motor function; biorhythms; and neural mechanisms of feeding, mating, learning, and memory. Project labs focus on animal behavior, electrophysiology, and learning and memory. Lecture portion meets with CAS BI 325.
  • CAS NE 204: Introduction to Computational Models of Brain and Behavior
    Introduction to important concepts in cognitive neuroscience and computational modeling of biological neural systems. Combines a systems-level overview of brain function with an introduction to modeling of brain and behavior using neural networks.
  • CAS NE 212: Introduction to MATLAB Programming for Research in Psychological & Brain Sciences
    Teaches computer programming concepts, core statistical concepts, and related skills via MATLAB. Programming examples that cover four steps of neuroscience research (experiment control; random samples; data analysis; brain process simulation) promote "constructive" understanding of the quantitative reasoning behind decisions based on descriptive and inferential statistics (e.g., confidence intervals, linear regression models, model- specific anovas). Explains numerical integration programs in two settings: probability distributions, and simulations of neural dynamics. Also listed as CAS NE 212 This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
    • Quantitative Reasoning I
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS NE 218: Fundamentals of Neuroscience with Integrated Science Experience II Lab
    Integration of cell biology with organic chemistry and neuroscience, with emphasis on how each discipline interacts experimentally. Laboratory focuses on synthesizing compounds and testing in biological systems. 3 lecture hours (meets with CAS NE 203 lecture), 1 discussion hour, 4 hours lab, 2 hour lab discussion.
  • CAS NE 230: Behavioral Endocrinology
    Hormonal control of reproductive behaviors and social affiliation, aggression, fluid homeostasis and feeding, biological rhythms including seasonal reproduction, stress, learning and memory, psychiatric illness, and steroid abuse. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Also offered as CAS BI 230.
  • CAS NE 234: Psychology of Learning
    How do we learn to associate stimuli together? How do we learn to associate behaviors with their consequences? How is memory applicable to learning? What are the different memory processes and systems responsible for learning? The aim of this course is to review the major traditional and current theories of learning and memory. Students will begin with an understanding of simple learning, including theories and basic principles of classical and operant conditioning. Students will then be introduced to the memory system, the three stages of memory, implicit and explicit memory processes. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Social Inquiry I
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS NE 291: Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate research in a topic in neuroscience.
  • CAS NE 292: Undergraduate Research in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate research in a topic in neuroscience.
  • CAS NE 322: Experimental Psychology: Physiological
    Laboratory course in physiological psychology. Emphasis on neuroanatomical mechanisms involved in behavior. Experiments are performed on rodents and resulting data are analyzed. Research reports required. Also offered as CAS PS 322.
  • CAS NE 323: Experimental Psychology: Learning
    Methodology, results, and interpretation of respondent and operant conditioning. Experimental analyses of selected topics in learning within the context of reinforcement theory. Required reports of instructor- planned and student-planned experiments using a virtual rat. Also offered as CAS PS 323.
  • CAS NE 327: Experimental Psychology: Perception
    Introduces psychophysical methods and their use in the study of perceptual processes: Students learn to think critically about the relation between theory and experiment, conduct perception experiments, and write experimental reports. Also offered as CAS PS 327.
  • CAS NE 328: Experimental Psychology: Memory & Cognition
    An overview of standard experimental paradigms and computational modeling approaches used in the study of memory and cognition. Methods are illustrated in the laboratory where students perform experiments using themselves as subjects and analyze and model their data using computers. Also offered as CAS PS 328.
  • CAS NE 333: Drugs and Behavior
    Comprehensive survey of drug influences on behavior; introduces a neuroscience approach to behavior. Several classes of drugs are discussed, including abused and addictive substances and psychoactive and therapeutic agents. Also offered as CAS PS 333.

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