| There is a diverse selection of course offerings in the neurosciences at
Davidson College. Of particular interest to the Neuroscience student will be those courses
offered by our Neuroscience faculty. These courses are either
required, or will otherwise supplement your studies in the neurosciences. Below you will
find a brief course description of several course offerings.
For a complete listing of classes that
may be applied to the Neuroscience Concentration, please
click here.
Psychological Research - Behavioral Neuroscience
PSY 303 (BIO 331)
Dr. Ramirez
Role of the nervous system; sensory and motor mechanism; physiological bases
of motivation and emotion; sleep and arousal; and physiological bases of learning, memory,
and language. Extensive laboratory training. Work with animals required. Prerequisite:
Psychology 101 or Biology 111 or Biology 112 and permission of instructor. (Fall)
Advanced Neuroscience
PSY 324
Dr. Ramirez
Intensive readings in molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology,
and/or behavior. Students: 1) make classroom presentations of critical analyses of the
course readings; 2) conduct laboratory research or hospital rounds; and 3) submit an
annotated bibliography and a write-up of the laboratory project or term paper. Prerequisites:
Psychology 303 and the permission of the instructor. (Spring)
Learning
PSY 282
Dr. Ramirez
Overview of major topics in learning: elicitation, classical conditioning,
reinforcement, punishment, problem-solving, behavioral economics, and verbal behavior.
Focus on empirical data, research methodology, and technologies generated from learning
research. Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Spring)
Psychological
Research - Behavioral Pharmacology
PSY 302
Dr. Smith
Students conduct experiments on the effects of drugs on human and animal
behavior. Scientific writing is a strong focus of this course, with students writing
research reports on each experiment. Students are required to propose a novel line of
research in the form of a research proposal. Studies conducted in other behavioral
pharmacology laboratories are discussed and critiqued. Some work with animals is required.
Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Spring)
Drugs and Behavior
PSY 284
Dr. Smith
This course examines the effects of drugs on human and animal behavior.
Consideration is also given to the physiological effects of drugs on the central nervous
system. Methods for preventing and treating drug abuse are also addressed. Prerequisite:
Psychology 101. (Fall)
Developmental
Biology
BIO 306
Dr. Lom
Investigates the events and mechanism fundamental to the development of
animal form and function. Particular emphasis will be placed on the genes and proteins
that direct animal development. Laboratory sessions will focus on experimental
manipulations of early invertebrate and vertebrate development. Prerequisite: Biology
111 and 112 or permission of the instructor. Genetics (Biology 301) and/or Cell Biology
(Biology 308) are recommended. (Spring)
Seminar in Developmental
Neurobiology: Wiring the Brain
BIO 362
Dr. Lom
Investigates fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms that generate
vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Topics include neurogenesis, differentiation,
axon navigation, cell survival, and synaptic refinement. Class meetings will include
student-led discussions of current research reports. Each student will synthesize their
understanding of developmental phenomena and experimental techniques by generating an
original research proposal and serving as a peer-reviewer of other proposals. Prerequisite:
Biology 111 and at least one of the following: Genetics (Biology 301), Cell Biology
(Biology 308), Behavioral Neuroscience (Biology 331/Psychology 303), Behavioral
Pharmacology (Psych 302), or Developmental Biology (Biology 306). (Spring) |
