Self-instructional materials are available in learning centers throughout the University. The course is intended to educate new students in the principles and models of neuronal and brain structure and function, to cultivate a mindset for the critical analysis of experimental efforts through evaluation of published research reports and related written exercises, and to expose the students to typical research lab activities. In addition to preparing students for advanced coursework in neuroscience, the course is considered to be an essential first step for students seeking a specialization in neuroscience research. Students will be graded according to their performance on midterm and final written tests and on faculty evaluation of their written exercises. While not graded, six half-day visits to faculty research labs are required.
Students are responsible for surveying research literature and presenting reports.
Since topics covered change yearly, the course can be taken repeatedly. Examples of topics covered on a yearly basis are neuroendocrinology, the male reproductive system, and the female reproductive system. Each seminar is preceded by a critical evaluation of literature relevant to the topic of the seminar speaker, often recent papers published by the speaker. Topics to be covered include cellular summation of signals, neural circuitry and modeling, imaging and behavioral modeling of cellular function and disease states. In addition to some lectures, the student is expected to critically evaluate relevant literature in a problem solving format.