Course Catalog

Neuroscience Catalog Information


An Interdisciplinary Program

Programs offered
• Minor in Neuroscience (30 credits)

Faculty
Julie R. Mach, program director
Mikel L. Olson
Kirsten B. Diederich
Krystle D. Strand
Susan J. Larson
Darin J. Ulness
Michael C. Mangini

Neuroscience is a broad and diverse field at the frontier of science today. The goal of neuroscience is to understand how the brain and nervous system acquire, process and integrate information from the environment and how this information brings about behavior of the organism. Neuroscience is truly an integrative discipline in which chemistry, biology, psychology, physics and mathematics all provide us with insight into how the nervous system functions from the basic molecular processes to the sophisticated behavior of higher organisms. The neuroscience program at Concordia is unique in its emphasis on the physical basis of neuroscience, especially chemistry. The molecular level approach is integrated with the more traditional systemwide and behavioral emphasis. The neuroscience minor would therefore nicely complement any major in the above-mentioned disciplines.

Students who have completed the neuroscience minor will be able to:
• understand the nature of science – its methods of inquiry, social practice and particular viewpoints
• describe and apply facts, concepts and theories of neuroscience
• think critically about neuroscience research, theory and topics and will be familiar with the literature in the field
• utilize laboratory skills that provide a foundation for answering research questions in the field of neuroscience
• integrate material from several disciplines in their study of neuroscience and they will understand that problem solving involves the use of many disciplinary perspectives

Minor in Neuroscience
The requirements for a minor in neuroscience are 30 credits:
• NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience, 4 credits
• NEU 400, BIOL 400 – Neurobiology, 4 credits OR
PSYC 319 – Behavioral Neuroscience, 4 credits
• NEU 475, CHEM 475 – Neurochemistry, 4 credits OR
PSYC 324 – Drugs and Behavior, 4 credits
• NEU 406 – Senior Seminar, 2 credits
• 4 additional credits; at least one course from the following:
– NEU 252 – Physical Neuroscience, 4 credits
– NEU 3XX (2 credits)
– NEU 328, PSYC 328 – Human Neuropsychology, 4 credits
– NEU 380 – Special Topics, 1 to 4 credits
– NEU 475, CHEM 475 – Neurochemistry, 4 credits
• 4 additional credits; at least one course from the following:
– BIOL 306 – Human Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits
– BIOL 350 – Animal Behavior, 4 credits
– BIOL 406 – Advanced Cell Biology, 4 credits
– BIOL 412 – Integrated Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits
– BIOL 416 – Advanced Topics In Genetics, 4 credits
– CHEM 373 – Biochemistry I, 4 credits
– CHEM 374 – Biochemistry II, 4 credits
– NEU 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits
– NEU 490 – Directed Research, 1 to 4 credits
– PSYC 318 – Learning and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 319 – Behavioral Neuroscience, 4 credits
– PSYC 323 – Perception, 2 credits
– PSYC 324 – Drugs and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 357 – Abnormal Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 361 – Cognition Psychology, 4 credits
• Required supporting courses, 8 credits:
– BIOL 101 – General Biology, 4 credits OR
BIOL 121 – Cell Biology, 4 credits AND
– CHEM 142 – Survey of Organic and Biochemistry, 4 credits OR
CHEM 373 – Biochemistry, 4 credits

Neuroscience Courses


NEU 109 N – Introduction to Neuroscience, 4 credits. E2. This course will serve as the introductory course for the program and it will cover the basics of neuroscience, which will be expanded upon in other neuroscience courses. Three lectures and three hours of laboratory per week
NEU 252 – Physical Neuroscience, 4 credits. A2 (2011-2012). This course will build upon the physical principles underlying neuroscience that were surveyed in NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience. Topics include passive and active potential propagation, membrane and ion channel energetics, and the physical events underlying neurotransmitter release and binding. Prerequisite: NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience
NEU 328, PSYC 328 – Human Neuropsychology, 4 credits. A2 (2010-2011). This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of brain and nervous system physiology. The focus will be on how the nervous system governs behavioral and cognitive processes. Functional and dysfunctional physiology and what this tells us about maladaptive behaviors will also be discussed. Prerequisites: NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience or PSYC 321 – Introduction to Physiological Psychology
NEU 380 – Special Topics, 1 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact program director for more information.
NEU 400, BIOL 400 – Neurobiology, 4 credits. E2. An in-depth exploration of many aspects and functions of the nervous system, with particular emphasis on humans. Topics include neuroanatomy, neurotransmission, information processing and integration, neurodevelopment, neuroregulation, psychoneuroimmunology and diseases of the nervous system. Three lectures and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: NEU 109 or BIOL 222
NEU 406 – Senior Seminar, 2 credits. E2. This senior-level course will serve as the capstone for the minor. The purpose of this class is to summarize and integrate experiences from the neuroscience minor by revisiting numerous topics of study. Students will also demonstrate the skills they have acquired during the minor by writing a research proposal and presenting this proposal to peers. It is expected that students will have completed most other requirements for the neuroscience minor before enrolling in this course.
NEU 475, CHEM 475 – Neurochemistry, 4 credits. A1 (2010-2011). This junior/senior level course studies the chemical and biochemical aspect of neuroscience including ligand binding, pharmacokinetics and second messenger cascades. Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Recommended: NEU 109 – Introduction to Neuroscience and CHEM 373 – Biochemistry I
NEU 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the program director for more information.
NEU 490 – Directed Research, 1 to 4 credits. D. Individualized supervision of advanced research in a specific area of neuroscience. Minors may register by permission.