Neuroscience
Course Description
Summary
This rigorous course provides a comprehensive introduction of the nervous system, including its structure, function, and development. Students will explore the principles of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that allow neurons and other specialized nervous cells to detect, encode, and transmit information; including signaling, synaptic transmission, and neuroplasticity. Students will learn how the central and peripheral nervous systems integrate and process external and internal signals to produce physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses in humans and other animals. Topics will include sensation and perception, attention, learning and memory, motivation, sleep, social bonding, and more. This course will also examine the biomedical aspects of neuroscience, such as neuropharmacology, recent advances in clinical neuroscience, and various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, and addiction.
Learning Outcomes
- 1. Learn the basic structure and organization of the nervous system
- 2. Understand the principles of molecular and cellular neuroscience
- 3. Learn the fundamentals of neural signaling, transmission, and plasticity
- 4. Become comfortable critically analyzing peer-review scientific literature
- 5. Develop critical thinking skills
- 6. Develop written and oral communication skills
Prerequisites
How to Build and Organism, Zoology, or Chem 1.
Please contact the faculty member : blakejones@bennington.edu