Neuroscience

NEURO 125: Integrative Introduction to Neuroscience

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that explores the nervous system from molecules and cells to circuits, behavior, and social interaction. Drawing on biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and philosophy, this course introduces foundational concepts, methods, and tools used to study the brain. Students examine major open questions, explore how neuroscience benefits society, and learn how the components of the neuroscience major integrate into a coherent program of study. Offered annually during fall and spring semester. Open only to first year students.
OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.

NEURO 210: Cell Biology of the Neuron

Students explore the cellular and molecular foundations of nervous system function, integrating principles of cell biology with neuroscience. Topics include neuronal structure and diversity, membrane biophysics and electrical signaling, synaptic transmission, sensory transduction, and neural coding. Laboratory exercises emphasize electrophysiology techniques and computational modeling to investigate neuronal function. Students develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication through hands-on research experiences. Offered annually during fall semester.
Prerequisite: NEURO 125 or permission of instructor.

NEURO 239: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Neuroscience is one of the fastest-growing fields in the sciences, with research interests ranging from molecular genetics to whole animal behavior. Topics include membrane biophysics, synaptic transmission and plasticity, intracellular signaling, sensory transduction, motor control systems, and development. Students attend lectures plus one three-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: BIO 143 or BIO 227 or PSYCH 238.
OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.

NEURO 251: Systems and Circuits

Students explore how neural circuits process information, guide behavior, and adapt across development and experience. Building on foundational knowledge of individual neurons, this course examines how interconnected neurons form functional networks in sensory, motor, and integrative systems. Students investigate circuit motifs, neural coding strategies, and sensorimotor transformations through experimental and theoretical approaches. Emphasis is placed on understanding how structure gives rise to function at the circuit level, with applications to real biological systems. Offered annually during spring semester.
Prerequisite: NEURO 210.

NEURO 252: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience

This course challenges the traditional dichotomy between "bottom-up" behavioral and "top-down" cognitive processes by examining how complex behaviors emerge from integrated neural networks spanning subcortical to cortical regions. Students explore how human and animal research complement each other in revealing the continuous, omnidirectional and blended nature of neural processing from receptor to cortex. Rather than treating behavioral and cognitive neuroscience as separate domains, this course demonstrates their inherent synergistic contributions to understanding brain function. May be taken concurrently with NEURO 251. Offered annually during spring semester.
Prerequisite: NEURO 210.

NEURO 294: Academic Internship

OLE Core Requirement: OLE Experience in Practice.

NEURO 298: Independent Study

Independent work is guided by a faculty member. Students need to have the necessary background, including appropriate coursework, before an independent project is approved. A student may not substitute an IS/IR course for a course regularly offered in a department or program. IS/IR culminates in at least one product (a paper, laboratory report, work of art, etc.). Normally, the student and faculty instructor are expected to meet at least once a week. See catalog for more information under registration and course enrollment.
Prerequisites: at least second-year standing; at least 2 relevant courses for 298 (IS); approval from the faculty instructor, the academic advisor, and the department chair or program director.

NEURO 300: Potentiating for the Long-Term (0.25)

This student-driven seminar offers hands-on experience and vocational discernment. Students who are currently participating in or have recently participated in approved research, internships, or clinical or other neuroscience-related experiences share their reflections while cultivating their oral presentation skills. Students consider and articulate the role of their neuroscience coursework in their pursuit of a meaningful, productive, and satisfying professional life after St. Olaf. Pass/No Pass only. Offered annually.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and completion of either NEURO 251 or NEURO 252.
OLE Core Requirement: OLE Experience in Practice.

NEURO 391: Special Topics in Neuroscience

Students explore specific topics in neuroscience based on student interest and available teaching staff. Class work includes comprehensive review of literature on the specific topic. Class meetings present topics in discussion format. May be repeated if topic is different. Offered annually.
Prerequisite: NEURO 251 or NEURO 252, as determined by instructor.

NEURO 394: Academic Internship

OLE Core Requirement: OLE Experience in Practice.

NEURO 396: Directed Undergraduate Research

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to their research interests. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.
Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor.

NEURO 398: Independent Research

Independent work is guided by a faculty member. Students need to have the necessary background, including appropriate coursework, before an independent project is approved. A student may not substitute an IS/IR course for a course regularly offered in a department or program. IS/IR culminates in at least one product (a paper, laboratory report, work of art, etc.). Normally, the student and faculty instructor are expected to meet at least once a week. See catalog for more information under registration and course enrollment.
Prerequisites: at least second-year standing; at least 5 relevant courses for 398 (IR); approval from the faculty instructor, the academic advisor, and the department chair or program director.