Neuroscience and Behavior Program

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 692C
Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology

Course Website
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 a.m.
course schedule number: 34924
course location: Room 145 Integrated Sciences Building
Coordinators: Eric Bittman: Elizabeth Connor, Abigail Jensen

Textbook - The objective of this 3 credit course is to provide NSB and MCB graduate students with the background necessary to understand the molecular and cellular processes underlying brain development and neural functioning. The course brings together a number of faculty who have both training and expertise in the topics covered. An understanding of molecular and cellular neurobiology and neural development is becoming increasingly important, especially with the advent of transgenic animals and their use in a wide range of research fields. This course fulfills the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neurobiology Core requirement for NSB doctoral students. Course Syllabus

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 792A, Proseminar

Mondays 2:30-4:30 p.m.
course schedule number: 34926
Course Location: Room 504 Tobin Hall
Instructor: Dr. Christina Metevier - email: stina[at]nsm.umass.edu

Course Description: This mandatory pass/fail course for first-year graduate students in the Neuroscience and Behavior Program provides the opportunity for incoming graduate students to interact regularly with other graduate students and faculty in the Program to continue a sense of community within the Program. Students will learn about opportunities for extramural funding that are available to them, the basics of grant-writing, and they will receive practice in public speaking to improve their speaking skills and make them active participants in discussions of research in their research groups and in colloquia. Resources that are available on-campus and on-line for research related activities will be highlighted. Also, a series of short seminars will be given by faculty within the Neuroscience and Behavior Program to allow students to become familiar with current research interests in each of the core areas of the program: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience; Neural and Behavioral Development; Neuroendocrinology; Animal Behavior, Learning and Computational Neuroscience; and, Sensory and Motor Systems.

Fall 2009
Psych 733, Psychopharmacology

Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:05-10:00 AM , schedule #40019
Course location: Room 224 Herter Hall
Discussion: Wednesdays 10:10-11:00 AM, schedule #40020
Instructor: Dr. Jerrold Meyer
Office:526 Tobin Hall

Textbook - This lecture and discussion course will survey the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs and their mechanisms of action on the brain. The course will be divided into 6 units as follows: (1) fundamental principles of pharmacology, including drug receptors and pharmacokinetics, (2) methods in neural and behavioral pharmacology, (3) synaptic transmission, (4) major neurotransmitter systems, (5) biochemical psychopathology, including the effects of drugs used to treat various psychopathological disorders, and (6) substance abuse and dependence. Prerequisites for the course are previous coursework in physiological psychology or neurobiology, or consent of the instructor. The course requirements are 2 semester exams, a final exam (all exams primarily essay questions), and a term-paper.

Fall 2009
Psych 891ED, Seminar: Endocrine Disruptors and Mental Health

Instructor: Dr. Jeffey Blaustein
Lectureclass schedule # 39122
Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM

Seminar class will study the influences of a wide range of compounds in the environment that disrupt or in any way influence the endocrine system, behavior, and mental health. Some examples of compounds that I would like to cover in this seminar are environmental estrogens including plant estrogens, bisphenol A, pesticides, PCBs, phthalates, dioxins, and whatever else is out there that influences brain, behavior or mental health. While most research has been done in animal models, in each case, we will also attempt to assess the seriousness of the threat to humans. I hope to have a diverse group of students in the class, so that we can look at these influences at the whole animal level as well as at the cellular level. Format of the course will be mostly student presentations and a term paper. Besides the scientific content of the seminar, we will focus on honing presentation skills. Prerequisites for the course are courses in endocrinology or neuroscience. Advanced undergraduates with appropriate background can enroll with permission of instructor.

Fall 2009
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Instructor: Dr. Jeffey Podos

Animals have evolved a remarkable diversity of behavioral patterns, used in wide ranging ecological and social contexts. Our goal in the first part of this course will be to examine the mechanisms that underlie the expression of behavior. For example, how do predators locate prey, how do tasty animals avoid becoming prey, and how do animals navigate through their worlds? To help answer these questions we will turn to neurobiological, hormonal, genetic, and developmental perspectives. Our next goal in the course will be to examine the evolutionary bases of behavior, asking for example why animals move, forage, hide, communicate, and socialize as they do. To address these questions we make use of optimality theory and other behavioral ecological perspectives. Other topics in the course will include sexual selection, human behavior, and the role of behavior in establishing biodiversity. Textbook - (John Alcock, Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, 9th edition).

Fall 2009
Psych 891AF: Neuroplasticity of Perception

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Sanders
Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-3:45 PM
Class schedule #39660

This course will examine the perceptual abilities of the human brain, including vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. After covering the basic neural organization of each system, we will discuss primary literature on plasticity to gain an understanding of any limits on the extent to which experience shapes organization, critical periods and the mechanisms behind critical periods, and the impact of plasticity on behavior. Students will be expected to contribute to discussions, give two presentations that cover 3-4 research articles, and submit both a draft and a final version of an NRSA-style grant proposal. Textbook: Sensation & Perception, 2nd edition, Wolfe, Kluender, Levi, et al., (Sinauer Associates)

Fall 2009
Psych 791A: Human Development

Instructors: Drs. Lisa Scott & Maureen Perry-Jenkins
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 AM.|
class schedule #35659

The purpose of this course is to critically examine contemporary issues and topics in the field of human development. The course will provide an overview of current theory and research related to development across the life course. Special emphasis will be placed on issues and debates that have dominated the field and continue to be a source of controversy and impetus for research. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will explore social, cognitive, physical, and biological factors that can shape the course of human development. Attention will also be paid to how cultural context shapes and gives meaning to development. No textbook.

Fall 2009
Biology 523, Histology

3 credits, Monday & Wednesday 12:20 p.m.
Dr. Elizabeth Connor
Office: 353 Morrill Science Center 4 South Wing

Course Website Histology is a study of cell structure and how it relates to the cell and organ function. The fine structor of cells, tissues, and organs is explored at the microscopic level and related to the physiology of the organ system. Tissues (nervous, muscle, connective, and epithelial) are explored in detail and their specializations are discussed in selected organ systems (circulatory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and other glands, and lymphatic). Lab includes light microscopic identification of cells, tissues, and organs, and group projects involving sectioning, staining, and immunohistochemistry. Students develop competency with light microscopy and are well prepared for coursework in graduate and medical school. Course assessment is based on exams, quizzes, and lab practicals, attendance and projects.

Fall 2009
NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #34925
NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #34930

By Arrangement with Faculty Sponsor

Independent student research in neuroscience and behavior. The work is supervised by a faculty sponsor who determines direction of the project, reports required, grade and credit awarded. The project may consist of laboratory research, library research, or some combination of the two. Credit is variable (1-6 credits) and independent study may be repeated each semester. May be taken for a letter grade or graded Satisfactory (SAT). A SAT is similar to the undergraduate Pass (P) and is defined as passing for graduate credit. The SAT can be used toward graduation but does not calculate into the GPA (grade point average). Students signing up for their first independent study should select NSB 696; for subsequent independent study credits, select NSB 796.

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

class schedule #34929 (for NSB fast track master students and terminal master's students only)

Independent research and writing of master's thesis. Research carried out and reported under supervision of students research advisor as partial fulfillment of requirements for a Master of Science degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. No more than 10 credits may be applied towards a M.S. degree in NSB. Minimum credit, 1; maximum, 10.

Fall 2009
NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Variable Credits 1-9 credits
class schedule #34931

NSB doctoral students may not register for NSB 899 until the doctoral comprehensive examination is passed. At this time the student should have chosen a dissertation topic and the Dissertation Committee should be formed by the student in consultation with his/her advisor. The committee must consist of at least four members of the graduate faculty, from at least two different departments, and including at least three NSB core faculty members. Committee members will be available for advising and consultation throughout the planning, execution, and writing of the dissertation.

Fall 2009
GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

class schedule #33866

Graduate students not enrolled for any course credits but who are candidates for a degree, must pay a program fee each semester (excluding summer terms) for continuous registration until the degree for which the student has been accepted has been formally awarded. Deadline for enrollment under this option is the end of the add/drop period. Use SPIRE registration #33866 and the Bursar's Office will mail you a bill for the $275.00 Program Fee. This Bursar's bill will be due around mid-March. Another alternative to paying the Program Fee is to call the Graduate Records Office directly and pay the $275 fee with a credit card by the Monday, September 21, 2009 deadline. Any student who does not pay this fee by the appropriate deadline and later seeks readmission or applies for graduation, shall pay the accumulated program fees plus a readmission fee of $125.00. Students seeking readmission must file a written request, endorsed by the appropriate Department Head or Graduate Program Director.

Fall 2009
Psych 591O, Aging and Cognition

Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-2:15 PM
course schedule number: 39661
Instructor: Agnès Lacreuse

The goal of this seminar is to provide an overview of the cognitive changes that occur as a function of healthy aging, and to a lesser extent, pathological aging (Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease). We will cover a broad variety of topics including theories of cognitive aging, brain aging, animal models of cognitive aging, sex differences in cognitive aging, interventions to alleviate age-related cognitive decline (exercise, caloric restriction, hormonal replacement), etc. The seminar will consist of lectures and student-led presentations. Pre-requisites: Psych 315, 320 or 330.
This course was also taught Fall 2007.

Fall 2009
Biology 572, Neurobiology

Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10:10 a.m. Website
class schedule #31602
Course location: Room 203 Morrill Science Center 3-South Wing
Instructor: Dr. Eric Bittman
E-Mail: elb[at]bio.umass.edu
Office: 420 Morrill Science Center 2-South
Teaching Assistant: Carrie Mahoney

Course Description: Lecture with discussion and some computer exercises. Biology of nerve cells and cellular interactions in nervous systems. Lectures integrate structural, functional, molecular, and developmental approaches. Topics include neuronal anatomy and physiology, neural induction and pattern formation, development of neuronal connections, membrane potentials and neuronal signals, synapses, visual system, control of movement, and neural plasticity. Textbook: Purves et al, Neuroscience. Two essay exams, final exam, and a short critique paper. Prerequisite: Biol. 285 or both Psych 330 and intro biology.

Fall 2009
ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

1 credit, class schedule #31095, Room 216 Paige Reading Room

Organizational meeting: September 10, Paige Laboratory room 216. The class will meet every Thursday from 12:20PM to 1:30PM.
Coordinator: Rafael Fissore. Participating faculty: Dominique Alfandari, Joseph Jerry, Pablo Visconti, Jesse Mager, Kim Tremblay
(Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences)

Contact: email: rfissore[at]vasci.umass.edu

Topic: “Cell signaling” in the context of “cell growth, differentiation, development and disease”. We will discuss papers that involve activation of extracellular or intracellular pathways whose stimulation leads to the initiation and/or regulation of any of the processes mentioned. Selection of articles from well respected journals is required, and consultation with any of the participating faculty is encouraged. Papers should not be more than 2 years old. Selected papers should be sent via email to me at least two weeks in advance of the presentation so that they can be approved and distributed. Pablo Visconti. The presentation should consist of a brief introduction on the topic of the paper and an overview of the field of study. Methods should be quickly mentioned, although novel methods should be described in more detail. Tables and figures representing the results should be presented emphasizing the question under consideration and whether the figure/table supports the conclusion drawn by the authors. A summary/conclusion should be offered at the end presentation. Questions by attendees are encouraged during and after the presentation. All PhD students registered for the class are required to present, and registered students are required to attend all presentations.

Fall 2009
Biology 568, Endocrinology

Instructor: Dr. R. Thomas Zoeller
Class Time & Location: MWF 11:15-12:05 PM, Room 349 Morrill IV

Endocrinology is a subdiscipline of the broader field of physiology and is concerned with the study of chemical messengers or hormones and their actions. These substances affect the functioning of all physiological systems as well as development and reproduction. The class with provide an opportunity to hone your skills at reading and understanding primary research papers, articulating scientific concepts, and in developing an evidence-based opinion that is supported by your critical reading of the literature. The Endocrine Society, which is the largest clinical endocrine society in the US, recently published a scientific statement indicating that environmental chemicals that interfere with endocrine signaling is the most important endocrine issue facing the country today. Therefore, it is important to incorporate this information into the class objectives.
Textbook: Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology, Gardner & Shoback (Eds), 8th edition.

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

variable 1-3 credits
course schedule #34927 Course Website
Thursdays 1:00-2:00 PM
Course location: Room 351 Morrill Science Center IV-South Wing
Coordinators: Drs. Eric Bittman and Christopher Hollot

This Journal Club will focus on neurobiology and modeling of circadian rhythms in mammals. The circadian clock is comprised of a network of cell-autonomous oscillators whose function depends upon transcriptional-translational feedback loops. The master pacemaker is entrained by environmental signals and regulates slave oscillators throughout the organism. This is an exciting and highly multidisciplinary field: mathematical modeling as well as molecular neurobiology are essential to understand these rhythms. The five-college clocks group brings together students and faculty from several departments. Faculty participants include Dr. Eric Bittman (UMass, Biology), Dr. Christopher Hollot (UMass, Electrical & Computer Engineering), Dr. Tanya Leise (Amherst College, Mathematics & Computer Science). Students may enroll for 1 credit, and will be expected to present one paper or figures from papers, and to participate in discussions.

Fall 2009
Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience

Instructor: Dr. Veronica Lopez
class schedule #38976

This course is an introduction and intensive overview of the behavioral neuroscience field. Discussed topics will include an introduction to neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; techniques used in investigations of brain function; physiological bases of emotion, aggression, motivation, species-typical behavior, psychopathology, learning, and memory. There will also be discussion of relevant and current neuroscience journal articles. The class is intended for non-NSB grad students with an interest or background in Psychology.
Textbook: Physiology of Behavior (10th edition) by Dr. Neil Carlson,

Spring 2010
NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 AM
Lab: Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 PM
class schedule #51947
Coordinators: Dr. Jerrold S. Meyer & Dr. Kyle Cave

This is a core course required of all Neuroscience and Behavior Program Ph.D. and M.S. students. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of neuroanatomy and systems neuroscience, with special emphasis on cognition, including perception, recognition, attention, memory, and motor control. Includes both theoretical and lab components covering neuroanatomy, neurohistology, brain imaging, and behavioral analysis.

A new component of the course will be weekly lab sessions. Lab exercises will include sheep brain dissection, an introduction to stereotaxic surgery, brain sectioning, staining, drug self-administration, EEG recording, brain imaging with functional MRI, and eye tracking.

Required Textbook: Neuroscience/ D. Purves et al. (editors). Sinauer Associates & Lange; 4th edition; 2008; ISBN: 978-0-87893-697-7. Additional readings will be provided by the instructors.

Spring 2010
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Tuesday & Thursday 11:15-12:30
Instructor: Dr. Melinda Novak
class schedule #12270

Lecture, discussion. Brief historical introduction to the classical approaches to the study of animal behavior (e.g., ethology, behaviorism), followed by detailed coverage of current approaches including those emphasizing development, causation, ecology, and evolution. Topics include: cognitive capabilities (e.g., self-recognition in apes), foraging strategies (e.g., bee dances), navigation (e.g., bird migration), communication (e.g., bird song), predatory-prey interactions, population regulation, parental behavior, and social organization. Each topic examined from causal, developmental, and evolutionary perspectives. Parallels between animal and human behavior will be drawn whereever it is appropriate. Two exams and final, and 4 short assignments.

Spring 2010
Psych 591E, Social Attachment: Neurobiology to Interpersonal Stress

Instructors: Drs. UnJa Hayes & Sally Powers
Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 PM
class schedule #57689

This seminar is designed to explore the biological and behavioral foundations of normal and pathological attachment by studying both animal and human models. Specifically, the course will focus on two types of social attachments: parent-offspring attachment and romantic attachment/pair bonding. To ensure that all participants, regardless of educational backgrounds, can benefit from and contribute to the discussion, the beginning of the course will consists of primer lectures on basic neuroscience (anatomy, physiology, neurochemistry, and endocrinology) and clinical assessment (DSM-IV, clinical terminology). The goal of the course is to develop skills of applying animals models to human problems in development and to better understand how research with humans can inform and change animal models. No textbook required. Reading of original journal articles required.

Spring 2010
Biology 544, Ornithology

Dr. Bruce Byers
4 credits Lecture and Lab
lecture: Tuesday & Thursday 11:15-12:30 class schedule #50630
Lecture location: Room 349 Morrill Science Center IV

lab 1: Tuesdays 8:00-11:00 AM, Room 204 Morrill III, class #50631
lab 2: Wednesdays 9:05-12:05 , Room 204 Morrill III, class#50632

Sample Course Website This course provides an introduction to the evolution, ecology and behavior of birds. The lecture portion of the course will focus on the key concepts and questions that drive research in these areas, with emphasis on the investigative and analytical approaches used by ornithologists. In lab, the focus will be on the morphological and physiological adaptations of birds, on field identification of birds by sight and sound, and on collecting and analyzing behavioral data. Lecture topics include: evolutionary origins of birds and flight, systematics and classification, speciation, adaptive radiation, flight, migration, navigation, territoriality, foraging and feeding, mating systems, parental care, brood parasitism, visual communication, vocal communication, conservation. The laboratory section is required.
Textbook - Ornithology, third edition, Frank B. Gill

NSB Elective Requirement: NSB graduate students may use one 500-level course to satisfy the electives requirement. All other electives must be 600-level or above. If students wish to use a 500-level course that is not taught by an NSB faculty member to fulfill the electives requirement, permission must be requested in writing from the NSB Graduate Program Director/Graduate Operations Committee.

Spring 2010
Biology 548, Mammalogy

Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Dumont
Office: 321C Morrill Science Center 3-South Wing
Phone: 545-3565

4 credits, (lecture with lab)
Course Webpage

Lecture, lab. The course serves as an introduction to the comparative biology and evolution of mammals. Lectures cover basic principles of taxonomy, anatomy and physiology, the origins of mammals, synopses of each mammalian order, and a brief survey of behavior. Labs cover the systematics, morphology, and unique characteristics of most major orders of mammals. The labs also include a detailed introduction to identifying the mammals of New England. There are 3 1-hour exams, 3 lab exams, and 1 essays. Graduate students enrolled in the class must complete an additional project (to be approved) in order to receive graduate credit. Although not required, comparative vertebrate anatomy is a recommended prerequisite.

Spring 2010
Psych 650, Brain Development and Behavior

Instructors: Dr. Matthew Davidson, 416 Tobin Hall, Phone: 545-1579
Course: Monday & Wednesday 4:00-5:15 PM

This course will examine current research exploring the relationships between brain and cognitive/behavioral development. Starting with the prenatal period and working up through adolescence we will read and think critically about theories, research, and results in this rapidly expanding field of investigation. The course is primarily aimed at graduate students who have a limited background in neuroscience. Reading topics will include: early brain morphogenesis, neurogenesis, migration, differentiation, sensitive periods, and perceptual development, as well as attention, memory, cognitive control, and emotional development. These topics will be considered in terms of both typical and atypical development.

Supplemental readings and optional Textbook: Handbook of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, (2008) 2nd edition - Edited by Nelson & Luciana

Spring 2010
NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #51948
NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #51950

By Arrangement with Faculty Sponsor

Spring 2010
NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

class schedule #51949 (for NSB fast track master students and terminal master's students only)

Spring 2010
NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Variable Credits 1-9 credits
class schedule #51951

Spring 2010
GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

class schedule #53956

Graduate students not enrolled for any course credits but who are candidates for a degree, must pay a program fee each semester (excluding summer terms) for continuous registration until the degree for which the student has been accepted has been formally awarded. Deadline for enrollment under this option is the end of the add/drop period. Use SPIRE registration #53956 and the Bursar's Office will mail you a bill for the $275.00 Program Fee. This Bursar's bill will be due around mid-March. Another alternative to paying the Program Fee is to call the Graduate Records Office directly and pay the $275 fee with a credit card by the February 1, 2010 deadline. Any student who does not pay this fee by the appropriate deadline and later seeks readmission or applies for graduation, shall pay the accumulated program fees plus a readmission fee of $125.00. Students seeking readmission must file a written request, endorsed by the appropriate Department Head or Graduate Program Director.

All NSB graduate students must take at least one course to satisfy the quantitative requirement. The course(s) to be taken will be determined by the student's guidance committee. In most cases the requirement will be satisfied by taking one or more statistics courses, such as:

Psychology 640 and 641
Public Health 640
Statistics 501
Statistics 506

Fall 2009
Psych 640, Statistical Inference in Psychology I

Lecture Section A: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 1:25-2:15 p.m. - course schedule #35614
Instructor: David Arnold
Discussion: Mondays 2:30-3:30 p.m. , schedule #35617
Lab 01: Thursdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. lab schedule #35615

Textbooks: (1) Roberts & Russo, A Student's Guide to Analysis of Variance, Routledge
(2) Maxwell & Delaney, Designing Experiments and Analyzing Data, 2nd edition Erlbaum

Lecture Section B: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 1:25-2:15 P.M. 
lecture schedule #35679 Instructor: Caren Rotello
The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the basic 
statistical concepts underlying data analysis and with a working knowledge of how to display 
data and conduct and interpret appropriate analyses. The Psych 640/641 deals with the 
description of data, probability, basic inferential concepts, and thorough coverage 
of analysis of variance, as well as the use of contrasts to test specific hypotheses, and 
bivariate correlation and regression.

All NSB graduate students must take at least one course to satisfy the quantitative requirement. The course(s) to be taken will be determined by the student's guidance committee. In most cases the requirement will be satisfied by taking one or more statistics courses, such as:

Psychology 640 and 641
Public Health 640
Statistics 501
Statistics 506

Fall 2009
STATISTC 501, Methods of Applied Statistics

3 credits- Sample Course Syllabus
Department of Mathematics and Statistics Webpage

Lecture 1: #36092 Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-2:15 PM
Instructor:
An applied statistics course for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students with no previous background in statistics who will need statistical methods in their work. Focus is on proper research methodology and on statistical models that arise in practice; very little emphasis on the purely mathematical aspects of the subject. Topics include: data description and display, probability theory, random variables, random sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, simple and multiple linear regression, contingency tables. A large component of the course is data analysis using a computer package; no previous computing experience is necessary. Aside from the use of the computer for data analysis, STAT501 differs from other introductory statistics courses such as STAT111 or STAT140 in that the pace is much faster, more material is covered, and the demands on the student are greater. It should not be used as a substitute for those courses. STAT515-516 is a two semester sequence in Probability and Statistics, at a higher mathematical level than STAT501, that provides the theoretical basis for many of the techniques discussed in STAT501. Textbook: Mendenhall, Beaver, and Beaver, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, 12th ed.

Below is a sample of other Neuroscience and Behavior Program courses which
have been offered other semesters:

Spring 2009
NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 a.m. - Room 207 Bartlett Hall
class schedule #15411
Coordinator: Dr. Geert de Vries

This is a core course required of all Neuroscience and Behavior Program Ph.D. and M.S. students. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of neuroanatomy, functional neuronal systems, and the scientific study of behavior. The course is divided into modules. In Part I the lectures will provide a basic understanding of the structure of the mammalian brain and illustrate the usefulness of approaching neuroscientific and neurological problems from a neuroanatomical perspective. The lab sessions will include dissecting sheep brains and studying plastinated sections of human brains. This section will conclude with a theoretical as well as a practical exam, which will test students' ability to recognize brain structures. Subsequent modules will cover functional neuroanatomy and neural systems, including topics such as the neural control
of feeding, reproduction, cognition, and the evolution of behavior.

Required Texts: Neuroscience,/ D. Purves et al. (editors)
Sinauer Associates & Lange; 4th edition;2008; ISBN: 978-0-87893-697-7

Spring 2009
Biology 791B, Graduate Seminar - Responsible Conduct of Research in the Life Sciences

Mondays 2:30-4:30 p.m. class schedule #18184
1 credit (pass/fail) Room 520 Tobin Hall
Coordinator: Dr. Christina Metevier
E-Mail: stina[at]nsm.umass.edu

This seminar is designed to engage students in discussion regarding research ethics in the life sciences. Topics to be covered will include responsible conduct of research, workplace ethics, mentoring, authorship, collaborative research, and the use of animals and humans in research. Students will be assigned readings from the text: Scientific Integrity, 3rd ed. by F.L. Macrina, as well from additional sources. They will also participate in discussion, review of case studies, and give an end of the semester presentation. The course is required of all first year Neuroscience and Behavior graduate students. However, it is open to all graduate students in the life sciences.

Spring 2006 - Dr. Jerrold Meyer
Spring 2007 - Dr. Eric Corp
Spring 2008 - Dr. Thomas Mennella
Spring 2009 - Dr. Christina Metevier

Spring 2009
Psych 591Q, Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar

3 credits
Instructor: Dr.Jeffrey Blaustein
Phone: 545-1524
Office: 536 Tobin Hall

Hormones have numerous effects on the brain and behavior, and behavior has numerous effects on the endocrine system. In this seminar-format course, we will study these interactions at the whole animal level as well as at the cellular level. Some examples of topics that may be covered are: steroid hormones and sexual behavior, influences of different types of stress on the brain and behavior, hormones and aggression, environmental regulation of the endocrine system, influences of the social environment on reproduction, sexual differentiation of the brain and behavior, hormones and maternal behavior. While most research has been done in animal models, studies in humans and implications of animal studies for humans will be discussed as well. Actual topics will be determined by the students that take the course. Pre-requisites: Psych 335 and two biology courses or solid working knowledge of neuroscience and endocrinology.
This course was last taught Spring 2005.

Spring 2009
Biology 564, Human Physiology

Instructor: Dr. Eric Bittman
Office: 418 Morrill Science Center 3-South Wing

Course Location & Time: MWF 10:10-11:00, Room 201 Morrill IV North
class schedule #17510
Course Description and Textbook
Course Website This course counts towards an elective for Neuroscience and Behavior graduate students. The subject of this course is the physiological principles governing function and integration of major organ systems (nervous, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine) and their interactions in humans. Many students taking this course are contemplating medical or graduate school; success at that level will require the ability to construct arguments based on specific facts. Note that although understanding of adaptive function is useful, it is mechanistic explanation that is required in physiology. This course will help you develop your abilities to provide such explanations, and to support your arguments appropriately. In modern physiology we are coming to understand the mechanisms of body function at the cellular and molecular level. Accordingly, it is essential that all students have the background provided by the sequence of core courses required of Biology majors. This includes an understanding of cell organization and molecular events (e.g., signal transduction, transcription, translation) which were introduced in Biology 100/101 and 285. A thorough grounding in Chemistry is also necessary, and Organic or Biochemistry is helpful. Students who have not had these required courses may be permitted to take this course, with permission of the instructor, provided they are willing to do the required extra work to prepare themselves. I will make use of the illustrations in the lectures and make frequent reference to pages and figure numbers on which you may find further description of a particular subject. Nevertheless, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the material by reading the assignment before coming to lecture. Students who do this get much more out of the lecture, and the course in general.

Spring 2009
Psych 641, Statistical Inference in Psychology II

Instructor: Caren Rotello
Lecture, Lab, and discussion sections
Continuation of Psych 640. Introduction to analysis of variance and correlational techniques, related to the general problem of inference in the social sciences. Psych 641 is most appropriate for students who took 640 during the fall semester.

Spring 2009
Psych 891NS, Neuroimmunology, Stress, Epigenetics, and Behavior

Instructor: Geert de Vries
Time: Thursdays 4:00-6:30 PM - Room 504 Tobin Hall
variable credit: 1 or 3 credits - #19151

This course will explore the mechanisms by which stress and infectious diseases influence the development of the brain, thereby increasing the vulnerability for behavioral disorders such as depression, autism, and schizophrenia. These mechanisms range from changes in how DNA is expressed (epigenetic changes) to visible changes in brain structure. In addition to reading primary research papers relevant to this topic, we will read reviews on neuroimmunology and epigenetics to get up to speed.

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697A - Special Topics: Fun with Photochemistry

All sections meet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:05-9:55 AM in the Integrated Science Building.
Instructor: Dr. James Chambers
Discussion of a wide variety of material including, but certainly not limited to, the nature of light, light sources, multi-photon techniques, chromophores, photo-induced reactions, photo-crosslinkers, cages and caged-compounds, small fluorescent molecules, large fluorescent molecules, and FRET/FRAP/CALI. This class will also include a "hands-on" component and a workshop on experimental design.

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697B - Special Topics: Biological Membranes

Instructor: Dr. James Chambers
In this module, we will discuss membrane composition and chemistry, rafts, exo- and endocytosis, vesicles, liposomes, bilayers, cell-penetrating peptides, transfection reagents, membrane-anchoring techniques, and membranous enzymes.

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697C - Special Topics: Drug Design of Favorite CNS Agents

Instructor: Dr. James Chambers
This module will include discussion of affinity vs. efficacy, the blood/brain barrier, small molecule docking techniques, molecular mechanics and dynamics, and conformation restriction. This module will also include a "hands-on" component as well as in-depth discussion of the finer points of designing 5-HT2A agonists, glutamate receptor antagonists, GABA agonists, and K+ and Na+ channel modulators.

Spring 2009
ORG&EVBI 797T - Skills for College Teachers

Course coordinator: Dr. Elizabeth Jakob
Office: 109 Middlesex House, phone: 577-0707
course schedule #18801, 2 credit pass/fail course
Class Time & Location: Fridays 1:30-3:10 PM, Room 319 Morrill Science Center III-South Wing
Course Description: The graduate program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB) is offering a new course in college teaching. This is aimed at students in the life sciences preparing for a career as a faculty member in higher education (including university, college, and community college levels). Most of us faculty had unnerving experiences walking into our first jobs, usually with nothing more than TA experiences under our belts. The course will consist largely of presentations from campus experts: well-known instructors, people from our fine Center for Teaching, experts in new technologies, etc. Topics include: courses to avoid as a new teacher, writing a syllabus and choosing a textbook, writing assignments that get responses, grading efficiently and fairly, writing good exam questions, lecturing styles, including interactive large lectures, PRS/ Wikis and other teaching technologies, dealing with problem students, legal issues surrounding copyrights, teaching math-heavy topics, ESL students, leading discussion and encouraging participation in small classes, supervising TAs, designing laboratory exercises, teaching graduate seminars, preparing a teaching portfolio, preparing a teaching seminar for a job interview, etc.

Spring 2009 Psych 891AE

Time: Every other Thursday from 1:00-2:30 P.M.
Class Location: Room 305 Tobin Hall
course schedule #19270

This journal group will focus on the neuromechanisms and cognitive effects of sex hormones (e.g., estrogens and androgens) in human and non-human primates, with supplemental readings from research with rodent models.

Coordinators: Lacreuse, Lena Ficco, Hanna King, Lauri Kurdziel
The journal club will also be offered as a 1-credit graduate seminar (limited to 10 students).

Spring 2009
Biology 892K, S-Cross-talk in the Endocrine System: Journal Club

Instructor: Dr. Thomas Zoeller
course schedule #19229
Organizational meeting in Room 403 Morrill III-South on Tuesday, February 10 at 12:00 noon. (Zoeller lab at conference table)

We are going to explore the cross-talk between hormone systems. Most of us are interested in hormone action in the brain, so most of this will be ways in which hormone signaling pathways interact to control brain function.

Spring 2009
Biology 692F, S-Beyond Microarrays: Methods of Pathway Analysis

Instructor: Dr. Sandra Petersen
course schedule #19282
This course will cover statistical analysis of microarray data, as well as development of gene ontologies and pathways relationships among genes identified using large expression arrays. Students will learn to use both open access and liscensed software to interpret microarray findings. A strong background in molecular biology, genetics and neurobiology is required.

Spring 2009
STATISTC 506, Design of Experiments

3 credits - ONLY OFFERED DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER
Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-3:45 PM, Room 115 Lederle Tower
class schedule #16502
Instructor: Erin Conlon
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
An applied statistics course on planning, statistical analysis, and interpretation of experiments of various types. Coverage includes a factorial designs, randomized blocks, , incomplete block designs, nested and crossover designs Computer analysis of data using a statistical package program (SAS). 5-10 homeworks. A midterm exam and a final exam. Prerequisites: STAT 501 or STAT 516 (knowledge of estimation, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals). Text: Applied Linear Statistical Models by Neter, Kutner, Nachtsheim, Wasserman 5th ed.

Spring 2009
PUBHLTH 640, Intermediate Biostatistics

Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-3:45 PM
Principles of statistics applied to analysis of biological and health data. including analysis of variance, regression, nonparametric statistics, sampling, and categorical data analysis. The course provides an introduction to biostatistical analysis in four areas: Regression and correlation analysis; Experimental design and analysis of variance; Logistic regression and discrete data analysis; Non-parametric statistics. The course will emphasize general principles that span these areas through stochastic models. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to choose appropriate strategy for analysis of study data, analyze the data using appropriate software.

Fall 2008
NeuroS&B 892A, Methods in Neuroscience Research

1 credit, graded course
Thursdays 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Course Organizer: Dr. Jerrold Meyer
Office: 526 Tobin Hall - Phone: 545-2168

The purpose of this seminar will be to acquaint students with a variety of methodologies used in modern neuroscience research. Each student will be required to familiarize himself/herself with one or two methods not currently in use in their home lab. They will then present and critique recent major papers using those methods, showing the use of the selected methods (including strengths and limitations) and discussing other possible methodological approaches to the problem being addressed in the paper. A new wrinkle this semester is that the course will focus on neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. For example, someone in the class might present a paper using gene micoarray techniques to investigate changes in neuronal gene expression in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy controls. Another example could be the use of MRI or fMRI to study changes in brain structure or function associated with Alzheimer's disease. Animal model research is also appropriate for discussion in the course. This course is open to all NSB and other grad students, but second-year students are particularly encouraged to enroll as part of their preparation for the NSB Comprehensive Exam to be given January 2009.

Fall 2008
Biology 580, Developmental Biology

Course Website
Instructor: Dr. Rolf Karlstrom
Tuesday & Thursday 11:15-12:30, Room 349 Morrill
Course Description: Analysis of embryonic development, with special attention to cell-cell interactions, cell fate determination, gene regulation, signal transduction, and pattern formation. The study of neurogenesis and neural patterning will be used to understand cellular and molecular interactions that give rise to differentiated tissues in the embryo. Student presentations of primary research articles will be integrated into lectures on each topic. The emphasis will be on examining current experimental approaches to understanding developmental problems in model systems. Implications of developmental processes on evolution, and on human disease will be investigated. Students will prerequisite: Biol 285 or equivalent recommended. This course fulfills an elective course for NSB doctoral students. Website for Textbook: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 8th edition:

Fall 2008
Biology 566, Comparative Animal Physiology

Instructor: Dr. Duncan Irschick
Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Lectures cover the physiology of animals on a system by system basis (e.g. circulatory system, digestive system, etc.) with an emphasis on the vertebrates. Comparisons between animals within each system and adaptations to "extreme" environments are emphasized. Weekly probelm sets provide practice in physiological reasoning for each system covered. Textbook: Animal Physiology 5th Edition by K. Schmidt-Nielsen

Note: NSB Graduate Students need permission from the GOC (Graduate Operations Committee) to "count" as an NSB elective course.

Fall 2008
Psych 617, ABCD (Applied & Basic Cognitive Development)

Instructors: Drs. Matthew Davidson & Kyle Cave
Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-2:15 p.m.

This course is the first semester of a two-semester introduction to cognitive psychology along with its applied and developmental aspects. The first semester (Psych 617) emphasizes historical, perceptual, attentional, and physiological aspects of cognition. The second semester (Psych 618) emphasizes memory representation, language, logic, and problem solving aspects. Either semester can be taken without taking the other. Although we do not presuppose any detailed background in cognitive or developmental psychology, our goal is to provide a fairly comprehensive introduction. There will be a heavy reading load consisting of secondary sources such as literature reviews and theoretical presentations. We do assume that students taking this course will have previously taken courses in research design and statistics and have some facility in reasoning about the relationship between theory and empirical research.
No textbook required.

Fall 2008
Psych 891AC-Seminar: Epigenetic Control of Brain Development and Behavior

Instructors: Dr. Geert de Vries & Dr. Heather Richardson
Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 p.m. variable 1-3 credits, instructor consent required to register for this course. Open to graduate students only.
class location: Room 422 Tobin Hall

This course will discuss landmark papers and emerging concepts in the field of epigenetics, especially as it pertins to the development of the brain and behavior. Epigenetics is becoming more prominent in studies on the neural basis of behavioral disorders. Students will explore the principles of epigenetics using primary research papers that have shaped the field and review papers from the Feb 2007 issue of Cell.A discussion of topics related to the field of Neuroendocrinology, using primary research papers as well as review papers from the June 2008 issue of Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. In addition to reading, presenting, and discussing relevant research papers, students will propose the slate for the upcoming annual Symposium of the Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, which will be held in Spring 2009.

Fall 2008
Psych 891ZZ - Seminar: Cognition and Action in the Cerebellum

Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Spencer
Tuesday & Thursday 11:15-12:30

The cerebellum is a structure receiving increasing interest to neuroscientists given evidence of its involvement in simple movement tasks and more complex cognitive tasks. In this course, we will review the literature supporting the traditional role of the cerebellum in action and examine and evaluate evidence of the role of this structure in cognitive tasks such as learning, language, and emotions. In lieu of an exam, a major component of the course will be written and oral presentations on the cerebellum in relation to a topic of the student's choosing. Considering that the cerebellum has been connected to a broad range of tasks and networks, this project will allow students to explore the cerebellum and it's relationship to their research interest. Class participation, including weekly reading, will be the other major component of evaluation. No textbook for this course.

Fall 2008
Psych 891AD: Development of Selective Attention

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Sanders
Mondays 4:00-5:00 p.m. Room 521B Tobin Hall
1 credit

This Journal Club will focus on the development of selective attention abilities in human children. We will read and discuss both classic and more recent research articles that describe behavioral, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropsychological evidence of attentional facilitation and distractor suppression in 2- to 18-year-olds. The reading list will include studies of normal and disordered development. The role of selective attention in many other processes means this course will be of broad interest. Faculty from several divisions, departments, and institutions with the five-college system will be participating. Students may enroll for 1 credit and will be expected to present one paper and to participate in discussions. *Note: The meeting of this seminar will be cancelled any Monday that a Psychology Department faculty meeting is scheduled. That typically happens only once per term.

Fall 2008
Psych 591: Research Models of Psychiatric Disorders

Instructor: Dr. Heather N. Richardson
3 credits, Tuesdays 4:00-7:00 p.m.

A broad range of animal models are used to study human behavior and psychiatric conditions. This interactive course will examine the current progress and limitations of preclinical research models that use a large range of approaches and model species. Students will give a formal presentation and lead a class discussion on the topic of their choice. Topics covered will include drug addiction, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Fall 2008
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Lecture 1: Peter Houlihan, Course Website
class location & time: Tues & Thurs 11:15-12:30, Room 101 Lederle Graduate Research Tower
Lecture 2: Jeffrey Podos, Course Website
Tues & Thurs 9:30-10:45, Room 203 Morrill III
Textbook: John Alcock (2005) Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Aproach, 8th edition, Sinaeur Press.
Animals have evolved a remarkable diversity of behavioral patterns, used in a wide range of ecological and social contexts. Our goal in the first part of this course will be to examine the mechanisms responsible for the expression of behavior. For example, how do birds locate prey, how do crayfish avoid becoming prey, and how do crickets and birds develop species-specific communication signals? To help answer these questions we will make use of neurobiological, hormonal, genetic, and developmental perspectives. Our next goal in the course will be to examine the evolutionary bases of behavior, asking for example why animals move, forage, hide, communicate, and socialize as they do. To address these questions we make use of optimality theory and other behavioral ecological perspectives. Other topics in the course will include sexual selection, human behavior, and the role of behavior in establishing biodiversity. Textbook: Alcock, John Animal Behavior, 8th edition. Sinauer Associates.

(Biology 550 counts towards the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neurobiology Core requirement for NSB graduate students).

Fall 2008
Biology 892A, Seminar: Molecular Genetics and Development

Wednesdays 12:00 noon, Room 215 Morrill Course Website
Coordinator: John Nambu
Office: 404 Morrill Science Center 3-South Wing
Phone: 545-2782

This one credit journal club focuses includes discussion of current research in developmental biology and neuroscience with an emphasis on the application of molecular genetic approaches. A wide range of potential topics include: genetics, specification of cell fates, cell diffentiation, programmed cell death, organogensis, organismal physiology and behavior, aging, disease gene identification, diagnosis and therapy, stem cell biology, epigenetics and development of novel molecular genetic techniques. The format for this journal club includes research paper presentations, laboratory research talks, and outside speakers.

Fall 2008
ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

1 credit, Thursdays 12:30-1:30 p.m. Room 216 Paige Reading Room
Participating faculty: Dominique Alfandari, Joseph Jerry, Rafael Fissore, Pablo Visconti, Jesse Mager, Kim Tremblay
(Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences)

The topics of the journal club will focus on subjects related to Morphogenesis, i.e., anything that deals with the control of shape during embryo development. This can be signaling cascades, cell adhesion, cell migration, the control of the cytoskeleton, etc.

Spring 2008
Psych 791B, S-Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience

Instructors: Lisa Sanders & Matthew Davidson
NeuroCognition and Perception Lab - Lisa Sanders
This course will provide both theoretical and practical background for experimental design, data collection, and data analysis using neuroimaging techniques. The techniques covered in detail will include both electrophysiology (EEG and ERP) and magnetic technologies (MRI, fMRI, MEG) and each will be evaluated for relevant strengths and weaknesses. Students will learn to think critically about these techniques and the data collected with each method in order to evaluate and understand the results accumulating in their individual fields of study. The course will include hands-on data collection and analysis using specific analysis packages as well as exposure to other packages that are currently available. Other established and developing cognitive neuroscience methods (including DTI, TMS, and optical imaging) will be discussed in less detail.

Spring 2008
Biology 521, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

4 credits,
Instructor: Margery Coombs

Lecture, lab. Detailed approach to the structure and evolutionary relationships of vertebrates. Lecture: evolutionary and functional significance of structures in different groups. Lab: evolutionary trends and specializations, experience in dissection. Review the diversity of living and fossil vertebrates and learn to think in terms of their 500 million year history. Always a cornerstone of biological training, comparative anatomy has been revitalized by new research in functional morphology, cladistics, and embryology. This course provides necessary background for further study of ichytyology, herpetology, ornithology, mammalogy, and vertebrate paleontology. This course uses a comparative systems approach, which means that we will compare organ systems across a series of vertebrate taxa. Two hour exams, final; 2-3 lab exams.
Course Website

NSB Elective Requirement: NSB graduate students may use one 500-level course to satisfy the electives requirement. All other electives must be 600-level
or above. If students wish to use a 500-level course that is not taught by
an NSB faculty member to fulfill the electives requirement, permission must
be requested in writing from the NSB Graduate Program Director/Graduate
Operations Committee.

Spring 2008
Biology 568, Endocrinology

Instructor: Veronica Lopez
This course will cover the basic principles of vertebrate endocrinology, from a molecular to organismic level. Endocrinology is a subdiscipline of Physiology, and is concerned with the study of chemical messengers or hormones. These substances affect the functioning of all physiological systems as well as development and reproduction, and it is extremely important that students have a sound understanding of basic animal physiology. Course Syllabus

Spring 2008
Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Instructor: Lisa Scott
This provides a forum for Developmental Area (and other interested) faculty and graduate students to exchange ideas, report research, discuss current trends, etc. In addition, several internal and external speakers will give colloquia on topics spanning cognitive development, social development, developmental psychobiology, developmental cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychopathology, educational psychology, and family studies. Graduate students in Developmental are expected to enroll; others may do so with permission of the instructor.

Spring 2008
Biology 791C, Writing for Scientists

Instructor: Dr. Tobias Baskin
This is a one credit course which will meet once per week for an hour. The first meeting will be Monday, February 4 at 5:00 pm in the Plant Biology Conference room (Morrill 3 room 215). It may be possible to change the meeting time, depending on how many students sign up.This is a course for graduate students based on the premise that formal training in writing is warranted for a career that includes a great deal of writing. My major goal in the course will be to teach students how to control the flow of ideas within a paragraph. Exerting this control is a matter of knowing how different parts of a sentence influence the way that sentence is read. We will develop an understanding of reading and see how taking advantage of the way in which we read helps guide how we write. We will do exercises from a text (see below) and students will write a paper (ie as if for publication) on their own data during the semester. Grading will be based on participation. No one will be graded on how "well" or "poorly" they write. I will also treat preparing graphs. There will be a required text for the course. Joseph M. Williams, Style, 10 Lessons in Clarity and Grace. Note, there are lots of editions of this, and books by Williams with related titles. The class will use the 7th edition. This is published by Longmans, 2002. The ISBN number is 0321095170. There is a 9th edition (no idea about an 8th) published in 2006 but it is much more expensive. Please get the 7th edition. There are lots of them on Amazon. I am not asking the bookstore to stock this, please find it yourself on-line.

Spring 2008
Biology 750, Graduate Seminar

3 credits
Instructors: Jeffrey Podos & David Lahti
The main goal of this graduate seminar will be to explore the topics of costs, reliability, and honesty in the evolution of animal communication systems. The seminar will focus on recent literature, but will also feature hands-on modules in bioacoustics and the quantitative analysis of color signals.
Textbook: Searcy & Nowicki (2005), The Evolution of Animal Communication, Princeton University Press.
Feel free to email me questions to: jpodos[at]bio.umass.edu

Spring 2008
Psych 891C, Modeling Behavior

Instructor: Andrew L. Cohen
Sample Course Webpage

The goals of this course are to demonstrate, first, what mathematical models of behavior are and how to evaluate them in a research context and, second, the basics behind a number of common modeling techniques and how to implement them. The course will begin with an overview of mathematical modeling and a discussion of the role of mathematics for understanding behavioral data. Rather than focusing on theory, the emphasis of the rest of the course will be on evaluation and applications of and hands-on experience with particular modeling techniques. Possible topics include: multinomial models, models of choice, models of subjective sensation, signal detection, stimulus sampling theory, Markov models, random walk and diffusion models, multidimensional scaling, model selection, Bayesian models, ACT-R, connectionist models, and dynamic systems. Students will be assigned weekly readings and mini-projects and a larger group project. Although there are no course prerequisites, basic algebra skills, elementary programming, and undergraduate statistics would be helpful.
Course Goals: To learn what mathematical models of behavior are and how to evaluate them in a research context. By the end of the class, you should be able to read a modeling paper critically.
To learn the basics behind a number of common modeling techniques and how to implement them.

Spring 2008
AnSci 697L, Special Topics in Apoptosis (JOURNAL CLUB)

Instructor: Sallie Schneider
This one credit journal club is designed to explore the role and mechanisms of programmed cell death during development and disease. The topics in the journal club are student driven, but could include potential topics such as signaling mechanisms to different types of programmed cell death, role of death in shaping immune and neural systems, regulation of death in normal and cancer stem cells, or use of apoptotic knowledge for therapeutic interventions.

Spring 2008
ANIMLSCI 697J, ST-Cell, Genes and Development

The class is open to all graduate students with interest in cell biology, signaling mechanisms that operate in development, reproduction and epigenetics. Class is limited to 15 students and is offered every other year.

D. Alfandari, H. Cousin
This course explores the discovery of mesoderm induction in the amphibian embryo. The course first establishes what is mesoderm and how mesoderm induction was first demonstrated using cell recombination experiments (Niewcoop). It then places particular emphasis on experimental approaches that made possible the discovery of “Mesoderm inducing molecules”. Students are encouraged to use their own knowledge and imagination to discuss and propose alternate experiments that could bee used with todays technology. Finally, a survey of the recent literature is used to see how far mesoderm induction has gone, what are the best candidate inducer and what remains unclear. Testing: Critical analysis of published journal articles.

Goals:
1 To provide basic knowledge on early embryology.
2 To stimulate critical thinking and experimental design.

Kimberly D Tremblay: Session on “Early murine development”

During this session on mouse development we will focus on early axis formation and gastrulation. We will look at historical and recent experiments that give insight into each of these processes and compare what is known in the mouse with other vertebrates, particularly the frog. The signaling pathways involved will be reviewed and discussed. The goal is to gain a basic understanding of the morphology and embryology associated with early mouse development. We will understand these topics through lecture and reading the primary literature.

Jesse Mager: Epigenetic regulation

The past few years have seen extraordinary advances in our understanding of epigenetic regulation and the ability to reprogram somatic cells. This segment will focus on both recent advances in the field as well as crucial discoveries over the last many years. Topics will include: DNA methylation, the histone code - histone modifications, genome imprinting, cloning and cell fate/potential reprogramming.

Pablo E. Visconti: Session on “Signal Transduction mechanisms involved in cell cycle”.

This session will be based on original research leading to our understanding of cell cycle mechanisms underlined in oocyte transition from Prophase of Meiosis I to Metaphase of Meiosis II. In addition, these mechanisms will be put in context with the ones involved in the resumption of meiosis that occur after fertilization. The process of oocyte maturation is intended to serve as a general model for the study of signaling pathways. There will be a single exam that will be based on the interpretation and analysis of experiments.

Rafael A. Fissore: Session on “Fertilization and Activation of Development”.

This session will discuss the optimization of egg and sperm mechanisms that operate prior to and during fertilization and that are required to induce normal activation of development. We will focus on events such as the acrosome reaction, interaction of gametes at the egg surface, and egg activation after sperm entry. We will review the recent literature on these events and carry on discussions on the molecules and signaling cascades activated in each of these events. Our lecture topics will cover family of molecules such as PLCs, IP3Rs, Meiotic kinases, CaMKII kinases. In addition to 30-45 min lectures, we will present and discuss the most recent literature contributions.

There will be a single exam that will be based on interpreting information from recent papers and proposing follow up studies.

Fall 2007
Psych 891F, S-Environmental Influences on Reproduction and Reproductive Behavior

Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey Blaustein
Course description: Hormones have numerous effects on the brain and behavior, behavior has numerous effects on the endocrine system, and the environment has numerous influences on brain, behavior and the endocrine system. In this seminar-format course, we will study hormone - behavior relationships at the whole animal level, as well as at the cellular and molecular level. Although we may cover traditional topics in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (e.g., hormones and sexual behavior, hormones and aggressive behavior, environmental regulation of the endocrine system, neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive cycle, sexual differentiation of the brain and behavior, hormones and parental behaviors, etc.), we will be sure to always consider how the environment influences these neuroendocrine interactions. The environment may include other animals, endocrine disruptors, plant estrogens, photoperiod, and any other factor outside the animal that influences its endocrine system or response to hormones. The course content is quite flexible and will be determined largely by the interests of the participants in the class. Part of the class will be in journal club format; part will be student seminar presentations; and a term paper will be due at the end of the semester. Knowledge of neuroscience, as well as at least some understanding of endocrinology is required.

Fall 2007
NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

variable 1-3 credits
Fridays 3:30-5:00 p.m. Room 215 Morrill Science Center III-South
Coordinators: Drs. Eric Bittman and Christopher Hollot
Course Website

This Journal Club will focus on neurobiology and modeling of circadian rhythms in mammals. The circadian clock is comprised of a network of cell-autonomous oscillators whose function depends upon transcriptional-translational feedback loops. The master pacemaker is entrained by environmental signals and regulates slave oscillators throughout the organism. This is an exciting and highly multidisciplinary field: mathematical modeling as well as molecular neurobiology are essential to understand these rhythms. The five-college clocks group brings together students and faculty from several departments. Faculty participants include Dr. Eric Bittman (UMass, Biology), Dr. Christopher Hollot (UMass, Electrical & Computer Engineering), Dr. Tanya Leise (Amherst College, Mathematics & Computer Science). Students may enroll for 1 credit, and will be expected to present one paper or figures from papers, and to participate in discussions.

Further information and a sampling of our readings may be accessed at
http://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/courses/spring2007/grad/nsb891c/review.phtml

Fall 2007
Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Fall 2007
Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience: The Neurobiology of Mental Disorders

Instructor: Princy Quadros-Mennella
Course Description: With the dramatic advances in neuroscience and neuropsychology, we can better understand the anatomical, chemical and psychological anomalies underlying many mental disorders. These advances may help us find better treatment options as well as potential preventative measures. Using several different reading sources, the present course will cover epidemiology, symptoms, known causes, neurobiology and treatment of mental disorders listed below. Topics covered will include: ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, substance dependence, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

Fall 2007
Psych 752, Child Perceptual Development

Dr. Neil Berthier
This course is designed to focus on the development of visual perception. Auditory development is mentioned briefly. The first half of the course will provide basic background, while the second half will focus on current topics in perceptual development. Class Website

Spring 2007
Biology 571, Biological Rhythms

3 credits
Instructor: Eric Bittman
Office: 418A Morrill Science Center III-South Wing
Phone: 545-4344

The formal, genetic, cell biological, and physiological analysis of endogenous oscillations in plants and animals, including their entrainment by light and use in photoperiodism and orientation. Circadian, cicatidal, and circannual rhythms emphasized. The synchronization of these rhythms by the physical environment and the use of the clock for photoperiodism and orientation will be studied. Assigned readings from original scientific literature. For junior and senior life science majors and graduate students. Prerequisite: Biol 285 or equivalent.

Spring 2007
Psych 530, Human Neuropsychology

Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Ready
Course Description: Comprehensive overview of the field of human neuropsychology. Topics include functional neuroanatomy, research methods, lateralization, somatosensation, motor control and disorders, language, memory and amnesia, visuospatial functions, attention, and executive functions. Special topics are neurodevelopmental disorders, clinical neuropsychological assessment, and overview of related disciplines. Learning goals for the course are: (1) To have a solid foundation in brain-behavior relationships with an emphasis on functional neuroanatomical systems. (2) To be able to use this information to understand and explain specific types of human behavior (e.g., language, memory, motor control). (3) To be able to identify clinical manifestations of select neurologic diseases based on knowledge of brain-behavior relationships. (4) Have an awareness of major research and clinical methods in human neuropsychology and the strengths and limitations of these methods.

Spring 2007
Psych 750, Learning and Memory Processes in Children

Instructor: Dr. Matthew Davidson
This course will provide a survey of the current literature exploring cognitive and physiological aspects of learning and memory development. Topics will range from learning processes active early in life to different forms of memory storage and retrieval, as well as discussion of working memory and executive processes related to learning and development. We will explore these topics across several levels of analysis, ranging from the cellular the the cognitive and behavioral levels.

Spring 2007
Psych 891UU, Seminar-Visual Cognition & Attention

Instructor: Dr. Kyle Cave
We will read and discuss current research on visual cognition and the role of attention in vision. Each student will be responsible for presenting
a few research papers in class, and writing a final review paper at the end of the semester.

Spring 2007
COMPSCI 691II - Computational Modeling of Emotions

Instructor: Hava Siegelmann
Much of animal behavior has been explained as aimed at increasing rewards and decreasing punishers. Except for homeostatic need states (e.g. hunger) or primary rewards/punishers (e.g. taste), the computational problem is too complicated, and is enabled only due to the computational advantages offered by emotions. Some theories argue that emotions are in the basis of evolutionary theory: genes can influence behavior by specifying positive emotions as goals rather than inflexible responses to achieve them, and this facilitates evolutionary improvements. Other theories focus on the reinforcement learning aspects where emotions assist one-time learning.
Perhaps the most immediate power of emotions is in causing motivation (both extrinsic and intrinsic) via associating stimuli to reinforcers. Examples include the motivation to attain happiness as a key in consuming alcohol, sex, religion, drugs, spirituality, and food, to name a few. The lost of motivation is described in the Jan. 26, 2007 issue of the journal Science where smokers with a damaged insula a region in the brain linked with to emotion and feelings were reported to quit smoking easily and immediately.

In this course we will focus on how the study of emotions can be used in intelligent information processing systems including robots, interfaces, and learning algorithms. For this aim we will read some related neuroscience, we will learn computational modeling of emotions, learning algorithms, and analog based computation. The students will work on original research projects improving the state of the art in computational emotions.

The course material includes:

Who needs emotions? The Brain Meets the Robot edited by Fellous and Arbib
Analog Computation via Neural Networks: Beyond the Turing Limit authored by Hava Siegelmann
http://www.columbia.edu/~ko2132/pdf/Ochsner_multiprocess_ERG.pdf
Some recent papers

Fall 2006
Psych 891NN, Brain Plasticity

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Sanders, Room 429 Tobin Hall

The term experience-dependent plasticity covers a wide range of topics dealing with the many different levels at which experience shapes the developing and mature brain. We'll be reading and discussing both the seminal papers everyone has heard of but may not have read (e.g., Hubel & Wiesel, 1970), and some of the newest research that has greatly expanded theories about how much the brain can change. The papers are organized around approaches that have been taken to understand plasticity in both human and non-human animals including surgically altered connections, ocular dominance columns, somatosensory maps, phantom limbs, and the effects of both sensory deprivation (e.g., deafness) and expertise (e.g., professional musicians). However, the goal of the course is to address basic questions about plasticity that can only be answered by considering multiple approaches including whether brain tissue is equipotential, if some systems are more plastic than others, what the developmental constraints are on plasticity, and what the behavioral consequences of neural reorganization are.

Fall 2006
CS 691HH
Computational Modeling of Emotions and Religions in the Brain
Seminar: Emotions & the Brain

Instructor: Hava Siegelmann
Description: The class will combine biology, computer science and brain psychology. The resutls and knowledge we will learn are applicable to all these and will enable student to do research in that interdisciplinary area.

Fall 2006
MICROBIO 797R - Revolutions in Biology (Journal Club)

Class schedule #79475
The first meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 7 at 4:00 in Morrill I N338, but the
time can be changed to suit members. Auditors are also welcome.
1 credit, mandatory pass/fail.
The goal of this club is to read and discuss primary literature on
groundbreaking ideas in all fields of biologyStudents will choose the articles presented. Suggested topics include:

Watson & Crick on DNA's structure
Cloning of Dolly the sheep
Darwin on evolution by natural selection
The first sequenced genome
Prion infection
Buchner's zymase experiments
RNA machine

Articles will be emailed every week, and will be available in the
Microbiology Department main office.
Contact: Jessica Butler, Ph.D.
Phone: 413-577-2747 E-Mail: jbutler@microbio.umass.edu
www.geobacter.org

Spring 2006
Biology 597E, Sex Steroids - Advanced Endocrine Physiology

Instructor: Dr. Sandra Petersen
Phone: 545-1808
This course will provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to learn about very recent findings in endocrine research in the news. Each student will be expected to research the primary literature behind those news stories and present a 30 to 40-minute seminar to the class. In addition, graduate students and students in the Honors Section of the course will work together on formal PowerPoint presentations that will be used to communicate the excitement and importance of these findings to middle and high school age students. In addition to learning about steroid hormone action, students will explore such topics as: environmental pollutants as endocrine disruptors, physiological basis of sexual differences in the brain, the link between environmental chemicals and diabetes, and effects of anabolic steroids on human physiology.

Spring 2006
Biology 597M - Environmental Endocrine Disrupters

Instructor: Dr. Thomas Zoeller
Office: 412 Morrill Science Center

Environmental Endocrine Disrupters refers to chemicals in the environment - mostly man-made - that can interfere with normal endocrine actions and can exert actions that influence public health or wildlife populations. The goal of this course is to introduce the student to concepts of environmental endocrine disruption in several ways. During the first part of the semester we will review key mechanisms of endocrine actions. The second part of the class will provide real-world examples of research projects focused on studying endocrine disruption in wildlife and in humans. Some of these research projects will be described by outside faculty. The third part of the class will allow student sto investigate specific areas of their own interest and provide some feedback to the class.

Spring 2006
Psych 891J, The Multiple Causes of Obesity

Instructor: Dr. Elliott Blass
Office: 417 Tobin Hall
Phone: 545-0283
Title: Obesity: Biological Cultural, Social and Developmental Determinants

The approach to the graduate course, as the title implies, will be multifaceted and will draw on a variety of literatures ranging from epidemiology to metabolism (and hormones) to cultural differences in what is and is not considered attractive, to social and gustatory influences on intake, to issues concerning exercise and the role of development in obesity as it influences each of these issues.

Fall 2005
NeuroS&B 891A, Seminar-Cell Death and Differentiation in Neurons

variable credit - 1-3 credits
Instructors: Dr. Nancy Forger, 523 Tobin, 545-5982
Dr. Geert De Vries, 528 Tobin, 545-0663

In this course we will read primary articles from the literature on neuronal cell death and differentiation of neural phenotype. The papers chosen will have particular relevance to research ongoing in the De Vries and Forger labs, but nonetheless will be of general interest. Students have the option of signing up for the class as a 1-credit "journal club" or as a 3-credit graded seminar. Students electing the 3-credit seminar option will read more papers, possibly be called on to lead discussions on more than one of the assigned readings, and write graded midterm and end-of-term papers. Everyone is expected to 1) come to every class (having read the assigned papers for that class and having completed the mini homework assignment for that class); 2) lead the discussion on one paper; and 3) participate actively in discussions.

Fall 2005
CS 691C
Computational Study of Consciousness

Instructor: Hava Siegelmann
Course Syllabus

This is a new research course which will focus on studying the different elements necessary to produce consciousness in animals and machines. Students will learn both the classical and very recent research in consciousness and prepare students to do research in this field.

Fall 2004
Biology 568, Endocrinology

3 credits
Course Website

Endocrinology is a subdiscipline of the broader field, Physiology, and is concerned with the study of chemical messengers or hormones. These substances affect the functioning of all physiological systems as well as development and reproduction. As a result, the student will be wise to have a course in physiology before Endocrinology. Attendance at lecture is required. The lectures will not follow the organization of the textbook precisely, and information will be provided in lecture that is not contained in the book. There will be four exams. The first three will be worth 20% each, the final is worth 40%. The three hourly exams are not cummulative but cover only the material discussed during that inter-exam period. The final will be comprehensive, but the main emphasis will be on the last unit.

Fall 2004
(Cross-listed with Computer Science and Neuroscience and Behavior)
Title: Modeling the Brain: Perception and Learning
CS 691L
NeuroS&B 691A

Course Website/Syllabus
Dr. Hava Siegelmann (Department of Computer Science)
Office: 242 Computer Science Building - Phone: 577-4282

This course will cover basic concepts of computational neuroscience and different approaches to computer modeling of brain processes. Participants will read and discuss research articles on selected topics within the areas of visual perception, learning, memory and motivation. The goal in each case will be to understand the interplay between neurobiology and computer modeling. Specifically, how knowledge about the biological bases of behavior inspires strategies in robotics and artificial intelligence, and how reproducing behavioral functions in artificial systems can lead to novel predictions about the architecture of the brain. Eligibility for Online registration: Graduate only
Comments: Undergraduates see instructors for permission.

Fall 2004
NSB 891E, Landmark Papers in Sexual Differentiation

Course Syllabus

Instructors: Dr. Nancy Forger & Dr. Geert De Vries

Course Description: This course will provide an in-depth study of the process of sexual differentiation and its consequences in terms of behavior, brain, and pathology. Although we will also consider some interesting species differences, mammals will be emphasized. For each topic we will read several old, classic papers as well as up-to-date primary research or review papers reflecting the current thinking. In addition to the required readings, students will have weekly assignments which typically will require literature searches to find papers answering questions posed by the instructors. Topics will include: The evolution of sexual reproduction (why sex?); sex determination and development of the gonads (comparative and molecular aspects); gonadal hormones (what are they? when are they secreted? how good is the evidence for sex differences, really? what is the molecular basis for hormone action?); sex differences in behavior and brain function/anatomy (those classic articles you've always meant to read); anomalies of sexual differentiation (intersex conditions); pathology (what are the consequences of sexual differentiation for human disorders?)

Fall 2004
Psych 891A, Regulation of Energy Balance and Obesity

3 credits
Course Organizer: Dr. George Wade
Office: 525 Tobin Hall
Phone: 545-0772

Obesity has become a huge public health and econimic problem, but we seem to be nowhere near a "cure". This seminar will examine the current literature on the physiological controls of energy balance, including both neural circuitry and hormonal factors. By necessity, much of the material will involve work with experimental animals, although applications to human beings will be covered whenever possible. The exact topics will depend on the expertise and interests of the participants. Format will be instructor- and student-guided discussions. There will be a paper due on the last day of classes.

Psych 891D, Seminar-High Level Visual Cognition

3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Kyle R. Cave
We will survey current research in higher-level visual cognition, with special emphasis on the role of visual attention in object recognition The studies that we examine will include visual perception experiments with human observers, experiments with animals on the neurophysiology of object recognition and attention, and computational models of mechanisms for recogntion and attention.

Psych 891F, Behavioral Ecology

3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Jakob
Office: 107 Middlesex House
Phone: 577-0707

Topics will include, but not be limited to, foraging, social behavior, sexual selection, cognitive ecology, antipredator behavior, and modeling. The course will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, and student presentations. We'll read both classic papers in the discipline as well as the sexy new stuff (there will be a fair amount of reading). Prerequisites are a course in animal behavior (e.g., Biology 550 or equivalent).

Entomology 697, Seminar: Skills for Large-Lecture Teaching

2 credits
Coordinators: Dr. Elizabeth Jakob
Anne Averill

Opportunities for teaching in a large-lecture forum are rare for most graduate students, so gaining experience is difficult. In this seminar, we will discuss every phase of teaching large classes, from planning the course to grading. Participants will create a teaching statement, a syllabus for a class in your area, and a sample presentation.
Topics include: Preparing a teaching portfolio, developing a course syllabus, writing multiple choice questions, constructing a course website, getting feedback about your teaching, powerpoint presentations, on-line quizzing systems, civility issues, and diversity in the classroom.If you wish to audit, you do not need to register--there will be plenty of room. Auditors won't have to do the written assignments but should otherwise plan to participate fully. This class is supported by a Graduate School Mentoring Grant.

Biology 750, Advanced Animal Behavior
( "Behavior and Adaptive Radiation")

Instructor: Jeffery Podos
Office: 360A Morrill Science Center II-South Wing

In this seminar course we will explore the interface of animal behavior, speciation and adaptive radiation. Two main questions to be addressed are as follows: How does behavioral flexibility facilitate adaptive radiation? And, how does behavior diversify in the context of adaptive radiation? In the first half of this course we will read and discuss Dolph Schluter's (2000 book "The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation". In the second half of the course we will explore specific topics in student-led presentations. Possible topics to be explored include the mechanistic bases for evolutionary change in behavior, rates of speciation, plasticity in the evolution of morphology and behavior, mechanisms of pre-zygotic isolation, the theory of ecological speciation, and the role of signal evolution in adaptive radiation. This course is intended for graduate students and upper-level undergraduates (with Biology 550 as a pre-requisite).

Psych 891F, Nutrition-Reproduction Interactions

3 credits
Instructor: George Wade

Reproduction and the regulation of energy balance are tightly integrated in mammals. Reproductive physiology and behaviors are highly sensitive to the availability of oxidizable metabolic fuels, and when the supply of calories is limited, animals become infertile. On the other hand, reproductive condition and gonadal hormones have a major impact on food intake, fuel partitioning and metabolism, energy expenditure, and body weight and composition. This seminar will cover various topics in reproductive physiology and behavior, regulation of energy balance, and the interactions between the two. The exact topics will depend on the expertise and interests of the participants. Format will be instructor- and student-guided discussions. There will be a paper due the last day of classes.

(Cross-listed with Biology and Computer Science)
Biology 791A, Computational Approaches to Biological Oscillations and Clocks

CS 791R, Computational Approaches to Biological Oscillationos and Clocks
3 credits

Instructors: Dr. Eric Bittman (Department of Biology)
Office: 418A Morrill Science Center 3-South Wing
Phone: 545-4344

Dr. Hava Siegelmann (Department of Computer Science)
Office: 242 Computer Science Building
Phone: 577-4282

Course Webpage

This seminar will consider bioinformatic and neurobiological approaches to biological clocks, with an emphasis on how computer and biological networks can generate reliable rhythms which synchronize with one another and with the environment. Topics will include:

1. internal oscillations of behavioral and physiological functions
2. the mechanisms of their synchronization (entrainment)
3. distributed algorithms for creating synchronized clocks from asynchronous components
4. reaching concensus about phase and period among distributed oscillators
5. modeling a system that integrates cues and sends executive messages to generate rhythmicity
6. how the brain's master oscillator works
7. our current understanding of the molecular basis of circadian clocks
8. the body as a population of master and slave oscillators

Students will be assigned weekly readings and will present a semester project based on their search of the literature and/or computer simulations. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in computer science, neuroscience and behavior, or other appropriate field, or consent of the instructors.

Psych 721, Conditioning

3 credits
Instructor: Dr. John Moore
Office: 121 Middlesex
Phone: 545-0569

Available as a tutorial by arrangement.

Course Description: Most neuroscientists share some familiarity with classical conditioning. They recognize it as a form of learning and as a platform for investigating the nature of learning and memory at levels of analysis ranging from the cellular to the behavior of whole organisms. Furthermore, they have witnessed the steady growth in research on this topic. Hundreds of abstracts on classical conditioning have been listed in the Society for Neuroscience Abstracts in recent years, and the numbers are growing. As a paradigm of learning and memory, classical conditioning has become a tool for fundamental studies across a broad array of topics and specialties, ranging from computational modeling to motor control and from pharmacology and therapeutics to cognitive neuroscience.

At the same time that classical conditioning and other forms of behavioral learning have become increasingly important in the neurosciences, there has been an alarming contraction in the emphasis placed on these topics in training programs at all levels. Few undergraduate psychology programs offer laboratories in animal learning, and courses on the topic have been diluted to such a degree that few students have an opportunity to become facile with the terminology, concepts, and findings that make classical conditioning interesting and important for today's neuroscientist.

Many neuroscientists are engaged in exciting work on classical conditioning using a variety of tools, but they generally lack an appreciation of where their work lies along a broad spectrum of current knowledge about behavioral learning and memory processes. This course offers a comprehensive review of contemporary work in classical conditioning. It is recommended for behavioral neuroscientists who lack a sense of where their work fits into the larger picture. Its objective is to provide a sophisticated overview of the field for working neuroscientists and their students.

Text: Moore, J.W. (Ed.) A Neuroscientist's Guide to Classical Conditioning. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2002.

NSB 691C, Computational Neuroscience

3 credits
Course Website
This course focuses on the use of computational methods in neuroscience. Topics covered include the development and use of computer models at the biophysical, circuit, and system levels, including models of single neurons, neural circuits, models of learning, and representation of sensory and motor information. Students will learn how to use computational tools to produce simulations. The course will be largely self-contained with respect to the computational and mathematical skills required, although some minimal experience with computing will be useful. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor. Neuroscience and Behavior Program doctora/masters students should register for NSB 691C. All others, should register for CMPSCI 691C.

Spring 2001
Biology 692C, Molecular Neuroendocrinology

1 credit
Instructors: Sandra Petersen and Joe Jerry

The topic that we have chosen for this interface is: "Hormonal Regulation of Intracellular Signaling Pathways". Thus, the papers presented will cover work done in a variety of cell and tissue types. Vet. Ani. Sci. students should register under the AN SCI JC number. NSB or MCB students can continue to register under the number (not yet in the Schedule for Spring--I will get that taken care of as soon as possible). We welcome new students, postdocs and faculty members and look forward to some good discussions! Students from Vet. Med. Ani. Sci. should register through their department as usual. The class is nearly filled for those who want to present a paper for credit. In addition, the total number of people is now at 32 with representatives from Entomology, Psychology, Vet Animal Sci, Biology and Biochemistry.

Psych 591H, Hormones and Behavior

4 credits

This honors course will investigate how hormones act in the brain to regulate various behaviors. Some of the topics will include hormone effects on sexual, feeding, aggressive and parental behavior, as well as learning and memory. We will incorporate the many recent and exciting advances in both animal and human research. We will study some of the new techniques being applied to Behavioral Neuroendocrine research, including a tour of some of the labs on campus. The first part of the course will be an overview of the basic concepts of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. In the second part of the course, students will give presentations and write a paper on a topic of their choice.

Fall 2009 NeuroS&B 692C Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology

Fall 2009 NeuroS&B 792A, Proseminar

Fall 2009 Psych 733, Psychopharmacology

Fall 2009 Psych 891ED, Seminar: Endocrine Disruptors and Mental Health

Fall 2009 Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Fall 2009 Psych 891AF: Neuroplasticity of Perception

Fall 2009 Psych 791A: Human Development

Fall 2009 Biology 523, Histology

Fall 2009 NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #34925 NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #34930

Fall 2009 NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

Fall 2009 NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Fall 2009 GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

Fall 2009 Psych 591O, Aging and Cognition

Fall 2009 Biology 572, Neurobiology

Fall 2009 ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

Fall 2009 Biology 568, Endocrinology

Fall 2009 NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

Fall 2009 Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience

Spring 2010 NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Spring 2010 Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Spring 2010 Psych 591E, Social Attachment: Neurobiology to Interpersonal Stress

Spring 2010 Biology 544, Ornithology

Spring 2010 Biology 548, Mammalogy

Spring 2010 Psych 650, Brain Development and Behavior

Spring 2010 NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #51948 NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #51950

Spring 2010 NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

Spring 2010 NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Spring 2010 GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

All NSB graduate students must take at least one course to satisfy the quantitative requirement. The course(s) to be taken will be determined by the student's guidance committee. In most cases the requirement will be satisfied by taking one or more statistics courses, such as:

Psychology 640 and 641 Public Health 640 Statistics 501 Statistics 506

Fall 2009 Psych 640, Statistical Inference in Psychology I

All NSB graduate students must take at least one course to satisfy the quantitative requirement. The course(s) to be taken will be determined by the student's guidance committee. In most cases the requirement will be satisfied by taking one or more statistics courses, such as:

Psychology 640 and 641 Public Health 640 Statistics 501 Statistics 506

Fall 2009 STATISTC 501, Methods of Applied Statistics

Below is a sample of other Neuroscience and Behavior Program courses which have been offered other semesters:

Spring 2009 NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Spring 2009 Biology 791B, Graduate Seminar - Responsible Conduct of Research in the Life Sciences

Spring 2009 Psych 591Q, Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar

Spring 2009 Biology 564, Human Physiology

Spring 2009 Psych 641, Statistical Inference in Psychology II

Spring 2009 Psych 891NS, Neuroimmunology, Stress, Epigenetics, and Behavior

Spring 2009 Chemistry 697A - Special Topics: Fun with Photochemistry

Spring 2009 Chemistry 697B - Special Topics: Biological Membranes

Spring 2009 Chemistry 697C - Special Topics: Drug Design of Favorite CNS Agents

Spring 2009 ORG&EVBI 797T - Skills for College Teachers

Spring 2009 Psych 891AE

Spring 2009 Biology 892K, S-Cross-talk in the Endocrine System: Journal Club

Spring 2009 Biology 692F, S-Beyond Microarrays: Methods of Pathway Analysis

Spring 2009 STATISTC 506, Design of Experiments

Spring 2009 PUBHLTH 640, Intermediate Biostatistics

Fall 2008 NeuroS&B 892A, Methods in Neuroscience Research

Fall 2008 Biology 580, Developmental Biology

Fall 2008 Biology 566, Comparative Animal Physiology

Fall 2008 Psych 617, ABCD (Applied & Basic Cognitive Development)

Fall 2008 Psych 891AC-Seminar: Epigenetic Control of Brain Development and Behavior

Fall 2008 Psych 891ZZ - Seminar: Cognition and Action in the Cerebellum

Fall 2008 Psych 891AD: Development of Selective Attention

Fall 2008 Psych 591: Research Models of Psychiatric Disorders

Fall 2008 Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Fall 2008 Biology 892A, Seminar: Molecular Genetics and Development

Fall 2008 ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

Spring 2008 Psych 791B, S-Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience

Spring 2008 Biology 521, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Spring 2008 Biology 568, Endocrinology

Spring 2008 Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Spring 2008 Biology 791C, Writing for Scientists

Spring 2008 Biology 750, Graduate Seminar

Spring 2008 Psych 891C, Modeling Behavior

Spring 2008 AnSci 697L, Special Topics in Apoptosis (JOURNAL CLUB)

Spring 2008 ANIMLSCI 697J, ST-Cell, Genes and Development

Fall 2007 Psych 891F, S-Environmental Influences on Reproduction and Reproductive Behavior

Fall 2007 NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

Fall 2007 Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Fall 2007 Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience: The Neurobiology of Mental Disorders

Fall 2007 Psych 752, Child Perceptual Development

Spring 2007 Biology 571, Biological Rhythms

Spring 2007 Psych 530, Human Neuropsychology

Spring 2007 Psych 750, Learning and Memory Processes in Children

Spring 2007 Psych 891UU, Seminar-Visual Cognition & Attention

Spring 2007 COMPSCI 691II - Computational Modeling of Emotions

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 692C
Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 792A, Proseminar

Fall 2009
Psych 733, Psychopharmacology

Fall 2009
Psych 891ED, Seminar: Endocrine Disruptors and Mental Health

Fall 2009
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Fall 2009
Psych 891AF: Neuroplasticity of Perception

Fall 2009
Psych 791A: Human Development

Fall 2009
Biology 523, Histology

Fall 2009
NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #34925
NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #34930

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

Fall 2009
NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Fall 2009
GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

Fall 2009
Psych 591O, Aging and Cognition

Fall 2009
Biology 572, Neurobiology

Fall 2009
ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

Fall 2009
Biology 568, Endocrinology

Fall 2009
NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

Fall 2009
Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience

Spring 2010
NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Spring 2010
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Spring 2010
Psych 591E, Social Attachment: Neurobiology to Interpersonal Stress

Spring 2010
Biology 544, Ornithology

Spring 2010
Biology 548, Mammalogy

Spring 2010
Psych 650, Brain Development and Behavior

Spring 2010
NEUROS&B 696, Independent Study, class schedule #51948
NEUROS&B 796, Independent Study, class schedule #51950

Spring 2010
NeuroS&B 699, Master's Thesis

Spring 2010
NEUROS&B 899, Ph.D. Dissertation

Spring 2010
GRADSCH 999, Continuous Enrollment

Psychology 640 and 641
Public Health 640
Statistics 501
Statistics 506

Fall 2009
Psych 640, Statistical Inference in Psychology I

Psychology 640 and 641
Public Health 640
Statistics 501
Statistics 506

Fall 2009
STATISTC 501, Methods of Applied Statistics

Below is a sample of other Neuroscience and Behavior Program courses which
have been offered other semesters:

Spring 2009
NeuroS&B 692D, Neuroanatomy, Physiology and Behavior

Spring 2009
Biology 791B, Graduate Seminar - Responsible Conduct of Research in the Life Sciences

Spring 2009
Psych 591Q, Advanced Topics in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Seminar

Spring 2009
Biology 564, Human Physiology

Spring 2009
Psych 641, Statistical Inference in Psychology II

Spring 2009
Psych 891NS, Neuroimmunology, Stress, Epigenetics, and Behavior

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697A - Special Topics: Fun with Photochemistry

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697B - Special Topics: Biological Membranes

Spring 2009
Chemistry 697C - Special Topics: Drug Design of Favorite CNS Agents

Spring 2009
ORG&EVBI 797T - Skills for College Teachers

Spring 2009
Biology 892K, S-Cross-talk in the Endocrine System: Journal Club

Spring 2009
Biology 692F, S-Beyond Microarrays: Methods of Pathway Analysis

Spring 2009
STATISTC 506, Design of Experiments

Spring 2009
PUBHLTH 640, Intermediate Biostatistics

Fall 2008
NeuroS&B 892A, Methods in Neuroscience Research

Fall 2008
Biology 580, Developmental Biology

Fall 2008
Biology 566, Comparative Animal Physiology

Fall 2008
Psych 617, ABCD (Applied & Basic Cognitive Development)

Fall 2008
Psych 891AC-Seminar: Epigenetic Control of Brain Development and Behavior

Fall 2008
Psych 891ZZ - Seminar: Cognition and Action in the Cerebellum

Fall 2008
Psych 891AD: Development of Selective Attention

Fall 2008
Psych 591: Research Models of Psychiatric Disorders

Fall 2008
Biology 550, Animal Behavior

Fall 2008
Biology 892A, Seminar: Molecular Genetics and Development

Fall 2008
ANIMLSCI 795A - Journal Club in Cells, Genes, and Development

Spring 2008
Psych 791B, S-Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience

Spring 2008
Biology 521, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Spring 2008
Biology 568, Endocrinology

Spring 2008
Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Spring 2008
Biology 791C, Writing for Scientists

Spring 2008
Biology 750, Graduate Seminar

Spring 2008
Psych 891C, Modeling Behavior

Spring 2008
AnSci 697L, Special Topics in Apoptosis (JOURNAL CLUB)

Spring 2008
ANIMLSCI 697J, ST-Cell, Genes and Development

Fall 2007
Psych 891F, S-Environmental Influences on Reproduction and Reproductive Behavior

Fall 2007
NeuroS&B 891C, Biological Rhythms

Fall 2007
Psych 893B, Child Seminar

Fall 2007
Psych 630, Research Topics in Behavioral Neuroscience: The Neurobiology of Mental Disorders

Fall 2007
Psych 752, Child Perceptual Development

Spring 2007
Biology 571, Biological Rhythms

Spring 2007
Psych 530, Human Neuropsychology

Spring 2007
Psych 750, Learning and Memory Processes in Children

Spring 2007
Psych 891UU, Seminar-Visual Cognition & Attention

Spring 2007
COMPSCI 691II - Computational Modeling of Emotions

Fall 2006
Psych 891NN, Brain Plasticity

Fall 2006
CS 691HH
Computational Modeling of Emotions and Religions in the Brain
Seminar: Emotions & the Brain

Fall 2006
MICROBIO 797R - Revolutions in Biology (Journal Club)