This course (BIO488/ZO588) is currently taught every Fall semester. It offers an overview of the incredible field of neuroscience. Through the use of case studies and interactive lectures, students learn about the nervous system at multiple levels of analysis, from molecular to behavioral. Successful completion of BIO183 is required, but an additiona, more advanced course in biology (e.g., physiology, cell biology, biochemistry) is strongly recommended.

Offered: every Fall semester

I teach graduate (and advanced undergraduate) seminars on various topics in neuroscience every Spring semester. These seminars focus on discussion and analysis of primary research articles. In all cases, BIO488 (or ZO588) is highly recommended as preparation. Because I vary the topic each time, the schedule on which each course is offered can be hard to predict. If you are interested in learning what I plan to teach next Spring, feel free to contact me via e-mail.

Experience and the Brain
This seminar course (ZO 518) focuses on how interactions with the environment influence the structure and function of the nervous system in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Maternal caregiving, social status, and stress were among the topics covered last time. Emphasis is on reading and discussing primary literature. BIO 488 (or ZO 588) is strongly encouraged as preparation for this course.

Offered: Spring semester of odd years

Honors Seminar -- Driving while blind: Does your brain care if you pay attention?
This course was part of the Honors Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Students worked together to create educational materials about how paying attention (or not) alters neural processing of sensory stimuli.

Offered: Spring 2010


Animal Models in Neurobiology
Animal models have played critical roles in the advancement of our understanding of how the nervous system functions and what goes wrong when it does not function properly. Together, students selected three topics on which to focus the course, then found and led discussions on primary research articles relevant to those topics.  Weekly written assignments, online discussions, and in-class discussions focused not only on the scientific quality of the articles, but also on the validity and utility of the animal model systems used. Emphasis on reading and discussing primary literature. BIO 488 (or ZO 588) is strongly encouraged as preparation for this course.

Offered: Spring 2010


Honors Seminar on Creating a Learning Module based on Epileptic Seizures
This course was part of the Honors Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Students worked together to create a problem-based learning module to be used in an introductory neurobiology course at the college level.

Offered: Spring 2009


The Neurobiology of Addiction
This seminar was co-taught with Dr. Heather Patisaul (Dept of Biology). The course focused on the neurobiology of addictive substances and behaviors. We addressed topics from the molecular basis of addiction to the evidence regarding an “addictive personality” to the neurobiological effects of various treatments. BIO 488 (or ZO 588) is strongly encouraged as preparation for this course.

Offered: Spring 2008


Honors Seminar on Sex Differences in the Brain
This course was part of the Honors Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). We commonly hear and read about sex differences in brain function and behavior. The (former) president of Harvard University reinvigorated a popular debate about the ability of women to succeed at the highest levels in scientific and mathematical fields. But what is the scientific basis for such claims? How strong is the evidence? Is there evidence that any such differences are strictly genetically determined? Or is there evidence that experience plays an important role? Is the science accurately represented in the popular media? What are the implications for individuals and for society as a whole? Students will select an area within the field of sex differences in brain function and explore it through a critical examination of primary research articles. We will consider how the research is interpreted and presented by scientists and by the popular media.

Offered: Spring 2008


Brain, Sex, and Gender
This graduate seminar (ZO 508) was taught in conjunction with Dr. Mary Wyer (Department of Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies). The course explored the evidence for differences between the sexes in the structure and function of the nervous system, as well as the societal influences on how/why such research is done and how it is interpreted by scientists and by the popular media. Undergraduates require consent of instructor to register.

Offered next: uncertain

Neurogenesis in the Adult Brain
This graduate seminar focused on a fairly recent paradigm shift in neurobiology. Contrary to previous dogma, we now know that new neurons are produced in the brain throughout life. Current debates center on the extent of neurogenesis in different brain regions and in different species. We will read the primary literature to explore the basis of this new view, some of its history, current debates, and potential implications. Undergraduates require consent of instructor to register. BIO 488 (or ZO 588) is strongly encouraged as preparation for this course.

Offered next: uncertain