SS2371 Special Topics: Behavioral Neuroscience

With 100 billion neurons, and hundreds of trillions of synapses, the human brain is undoubtedly the most fascinating system in the universe. With major advances in medical technology, we now have the ability to observe the neural activity inside a living brain. Yet even so, much of the functioning of the brain remains uncharted and scientists continue to be inspired and confounded by a single question: What is the relationship between the mind and the brain? In other words, what are the Neural Correlates of Consciousness? This course will begin with an exploration of the neuron and the electrochemical messages that form the basis of all our life’s experiences. We will then branch out, and consider major excitatory and inhibitory systems within the brain that connect cortical and subcortical regions. Armed with this knowledge, we will venture further and explore the biological underpinnings of the most basic human behaviors, including our needs for sleep, food, safety and sex. Credits: 3

Prereq: (SS1011 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or SS1211 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or SS1311 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or SS1411 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or SS Core Trans Lecture Min Credits: 3.00) And (EN1011 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or EN1015 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00) And (FY1011 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 OrFY1001 Lecture Min Credits: 3.00 Or FY1101 Lecture Min Credits: 2.00)