Course coordinators: Carl D. Hopkins
Joseph Fetcho

ANNOUNCEMENTS		Frequently Asked Questions

May 29, 2009: Final exam comments are now available.

Introduction to Neurobiology (BioNB 2220)

Course Description. Offered every spring with 3, 4, or 5 credit options. Not open to freshmen. Prerequisites: 1 year of introductory biology for majors and 1 year of chemistry. May be taken independently of BIONB 2210. S-U grades optional (for 3 credit only). The 4 or 5 credit option is required of students in the Neurobiology and Behavior program of study. Each section is limited to 15 students, with preference given to students studying Neurobiology and Behavior. 3 credit option: Lecture Only. PS# 6136

4 Credit option: Discussion Sections. PS#10074. There are two alternative discussion sections offered for the four credits:

1. Traditional Discussion Section: one meeting per week to review problem sets; discuss assigned readings,or do laboratory exercises (Laboratory exercises include a dissection of a preserved mammalian brain and studies of live fruit f lies). (10 sections offered see schedule).
   
2. Computational Intensive Section: an alternative discussion section aimed at students in Engineering or in the physical sciences, who wish to consider quantitative and computational aspects of neurobiology.  Students will do problem sets, run computer simulations, write computer programs to simulate neural activity and make complex computations.  Students will submit a final project.  Students in the Computationally-Intensive Discussion Section will not take the e ssay portion of the final examination in the course but will take the multiple-choice and short answer part (Prelim 3).  (1 section, see schedule).

5 Credit Discussion Section. Writing Intensive. PS# 10075 This section will focus on using writing as a tool to convey knowledge and aid understanding of concepts in neurobiology. Consistent with the goals set forth by the Writing in the Majors program, evaluation will be primarily through writing assignments although students will be responsible for reading assignments and material covered in lectures. (1 section, see schedule).

BioNB 2220 Course Catalog. A general introduction to the field of cellular and integrative neurobiology. Topics include neural systems, neuroanatomy, developmental neurobiology, electrical properties of nerve cells, synaptic mechanisms, neurochemistry, motor systems, sensory systems , learning, and memory. Some discussion sections include dissections of preserved brains.
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