BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR

The study of Neurobiology within the Biological Sciences major emphasizes how cells are organized within the nervous system and the molecular mechanisms by which neurons transmit signals, leading to a deeper understanding of how the nervous system and the brain work. Through this concentration, students will gain a detailed understanding of molecular, cellular, developmental, structural and functional aspects of nervous systems. 

This concentration is not available to students also pursuing a Neuroscience major.

REQUIREMENTS 

Any three of the following courses:

•  BIOL_SCI 302-0 Fundamentals of Neurobiology - Cellular and biochemical approaches to the nervous system, focusing on neuron structure and function. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 201-0, BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 310-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course. May not receive credit for both BIOL_SCI 302-0 and NEUROSCI 202-0.
• BIOL_SCI 303-0 Molecular Neurobiology - Exploration of the overlap between neurobiology and molecular biology. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 302-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 305-0 Neurobiology Laboratory - Hands-on experience in the performance of experiments in cellular neurophysiology. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 302-0 or NEUROSCI 311-0 and BIOL_SCI 234-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 307-0 Brain Structure, Function, & Evolution - An overview of the evolution of the nervous system and cognition, from the origin of neurons to the structure and function of the human brain. No P/N. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 302-0 or BIOL_SCI 325-0 or BIOL_SCI 344-0 or NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0 in order to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 325-0 Animal Physiology - Physiological principles and mechanisms responsible for the ability of animals to regulate variables in the steady state. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 310-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 360-0 Principles of Cell Signaling - Emphasis on principles, components, and logic that are common to different cell signaling systems. Modern experimental strategies for studying cellular signaling as well as the implications of disrupting cell communication pathways in disease will be described. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 and BIOL_SCI 203-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 391-0 Developmental Biology - Molecular mechanisms underlying early embryonic development, including establishment of the body and organogenesis. Discussion of original literature. Prerequisite: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.
• BIOL_SCI 392-0 Morphogenesis - Development of independent projects alongside classic readings and experiments exploring key concepts in developmental biology. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 BIOL_SCI 203-0, BIOL_SCI 234-0, and BIOL_SCI 301-0 to register for this course.

Concentration Checklist

Molecular Neurobiology Concentration Checklist

2024-25 Course Offerings in this Concentration*

*Course schedule considered tentative until published in Caesar