Graduate Neuroscience Courses

NRSC 5306. Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the neuroscientific basis of behavior, and provides an advanced appraisal of the in-depth mechanisms of the nervous system. Students will examine the role of chemical and electrical operations within the nervous system and how it influences behavior. Topics will include the neural basis (chemical, electrical, and mechanistic) of behavior and cognition, and processes such as somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research in behavioral neuroscience and experimental paradigms will also be explored. Course credit will not be awarded for both NRSC 5306 and NRSC 6306 Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 5315. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of the advanced structure and function of physiological systems that underlie psychological processes. Includes an exploration of the physiology of psychological processes, behavior and cognition including focus on somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward and psychopharmacology, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in physiological psychology will also be explored. Course credit will not be awarded for both NRSC 5315 and NRSC 6315. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 6306. Behavioral Neuroscience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the neuroscientific basis of behavior, and provides an advanced appraisal of the in-depth mechanisms of the nervous system. Students will examine the role of chemical and electrical operations within the nervous system and how it influences behavior. Topics will include the neural basis (chemical, electrical, and mechanistic) of behavior and cognition, and processes such as somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research in behavioral neuroscience and experimental paradigms will also be explored. Course credit will not be awarded for both NRSC 5306 and NRSC 6306. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 6312. Neuropharmacology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced exploration of the neural mechanisms of the effects of drugs on the nervous system. Modules will include the neuroscientific knowledge of drug abuse, addiction, specific drugs (such as opioids, antidepressants, and cocaine), drugs for psychological disorders, and neurological disorders. Methods of research in pharmacology will also be explored. Emphasis will be placed on the neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms of action, especially effects on synaptic transmission. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 6313. Animal Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Explores the knowledge of animal behavior from a neuroscientific perspective. Students will examine the principles of animal behavior, behavioral endocrinology, learning, cultural transmission, selection (artificial, natural, and sexual), mating, kinship, foraging, cooperation, antipredator behaviors, habitat selection, aggression, and genetics. Students will curate a curiosity of the natural world using a scientific lens. Methods of research in animal behavior will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 6315. Physiological Psychology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of the advanced structure and function of physiological systems that underlie psychological processes. Includes an exploration of the physiology of psychological processes, behavior and cognition including focus on somatosensation, motor processing, perception, reward and psychopharmacology, nociception, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in physiological psychology will also be explored. Course credit will not be awarded for both NRSC 5315 and NRSC 6315. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

NRSC 6390. Topics in Neuroscience. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Surveys the inter-disciplinary knowledge of an advanced topic in neuroscience. Develops knowledge of foundational theories, issues, historical research findings, and contemporary directions in fundamental areas of neuroscience. Methods of research and experimental paradigms in neuroscience will also be explored. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.