The neuroscience interdisciplinary major is designed for students who wish to focus their coursework and research at the intersection of biology and psychology to understand the brain and behavior. Application for admission to the major requires signature of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Committee chair on the declaration of major form submitted to the registrar. Except in unusual cases, this application should be made no later than the end of the sophomore year. Before registering for thesis, neuroscience majors must pass the neuroscience junior qualifying examination.
Requirements for the Major (17.5 Reed units)
1. Biology coursework (5 units)4. Additional science (2 units): Either Chemistry 201 and 202 or Physics 101 and 102.
5. Mathematics (2 units): Any two courses in mathematics or computer science. (Biology 131 or Psychology 348 may be substituted for one course, but not for both courses.)
6. Junior qualifying examination.
7. Neuroscience 470 (thesis, 2 units): Candidates must submit three brief proposals to the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Committee. At least one proposal must name a faculty adviser and project to be completed in biology and one in psychology.
Neuroscience 333 - Systems Neuroscience
One-unit semester course. An examination of the neural basis of behavior with a focus on understanding how the brain perceives and processes sensory information from the environment to produce complex behaviors, and how these processes can be modulated. The course will cover the structure of vertebrate nervous systems and neurons, neuronal communication, sensory systems, movement and regulatory systems, sexual behavior, learning and neuronal plasticity, and complex higher-level neuronal processing. We will explore a variety of approaches used to understand the brain, including genetic and molecular methods, neuronal recording, optogenetics, neuroanatomy, and behavior. Students who have previously completed Psychology 333 should not enroll in this course. Prerequisite: Psychology 101, or Biology 101 or 102. Lecture-laboratory.
Neuroscience 470 - Thesis
Two-unit yearlong course; one unit per semester.