PSYCH 5898: Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience
This course is designed to provide upper-level psychology and neuroscience students with an overview of contemporary research topics in the broad interdisciplinary field of Behavioral Neuroscience, encompassing behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and systems neuroscience. The course includes research-based lectures by various faculty from several Departments and Colleges who are each distinguished investigators in their particular research field. Each faculty member will describe the current state of understanding in a particular area of Behavioral Neuroscience as well as critical issues yet to be resolved.
Because a major part of engaging with scientific research is learning to read, interpret, and present primary research articles, the remainder of the course meetings will utilize a journal club format to practice these skills. Students will read recent primary research articles in the field of behavioral neuroscience and engage in student-led presentations/discussions of these papers.
Prereq: A grade of C- or above in two of the following courses 4501, 4644, 5613H, 5602, 5603, Neurosc 4100, 4425, 4550, 4623, or 4850; or permission of instructor.
Because a major part of engaging with scientific research is learning to read, interpret, and present primary research articles, the remainder of the course meetings will utilize a journal club format to practice these skills. Students will read recent primary research articles in the field of behavioral neuroscience and engage in student-led presentations/discussions of these papers.
Prereq: A grade of C- or above in two of the following courses 4501, 4644, 5613H, 5602, 5603, Neurosc 4100, 4425, 4550, 4623, or 4850; or permission of instructor.
Credit Hours
3
Sample Topics:
- Reproducibility of Findings
- Sex as a Biological Variable
- New Techniques in Behavioral Neuroscience
- Rodent models of Diseases
- Research vs. News
- Ethologically Relevant Behavioral Paradigms
- Behavioral Assays with High Translational Value
- From Animals to Humans
Meets the following Psychology Major Goals:
Knowledge Base in Psychology
- Describe key concepts, principles, & overarching themes in psychology
- Develop working knowledge of psychology's content domains
- Describe applications of psychology
Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking
- Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- Demonstrate psychology information literacy
- Engage in innovative & integrative thinking & problem solving
- Interpret, design, & conduct basic psychological research
- Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry
Communication
- Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes
- Interact effectively with others