Courses Offered
Courses Offered
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the home department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
BFB240. Neuroscience. (N) Every Spring
Principles of nervous system function from the molecular through the organ system level as illustrated by the vertebrates and invertebrates. Approximately one half of the course will cover basic cellular principles of nervous system organization, development and physiology. The remaining lectures will consider the role of functionally-identified neural networks in behavior control. Prerequisite: BIO 220 or BFB/PSY 302. Same as BIO/PSY/SPM 240. Cecala
BFB250. Animal Behavior. (N) (BWR) Every Fall
An integrative approach to animal behavior from the perspectives of ethology, behavioral ecology and comparative psychology. The structure, function, development and evolution of behavioral adaptations including foraging and predation, communication, social organization and reproductive strategies. Observational and experimental research required. Prerequisites: BIO 110 and permission of the instructor. Corequisite: either BIO 210 or PSY 230. Same as BIO/PSY 250. Sunsay
BFB301. Sensation and Perception. (N) Every Spring
Review of phenomena and research on sensory processes and their role in perception. Readings and discussion will examine evidence from behavioral, psychophysical and physiological research and consider implications for explanations arising from the mechanistic, cognitive, computational and naturalistic theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY/SPM 301. Owens
BFB302. Biopsychology. (N) Every Fall
Behavioral and mental processes as viewed from a biological perspective with particular emphasis upon the role of neurochemical and endocrine factors in central nervous system function. Topics covered will include reproduction and gender, chemical senses and ingestion, emotion, learning, sleep and psychopathology. A neuropharmacological approach to the study of the nervous system will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 100 or BIO 110 or permission. Same as PSY/SPM 302. Staff
BFB306. Evolution of Mind and Intelligence. Spring 2010
What is intelligent behavior, what is it for and how did it evolve? We will attempt to answer these questions and understand the nature and development of Mind from a comparative perspective. We will do so by investigating learning, perception, memory, thinking and language in animals and humans. Research activities and analyses integrated into course work. Prerequisite: One of: PSY 100, PSY 301, PSY 302, PSY 303, PSY 304, PSY 305, BIO 240, BIO 250 or PHI 338, or permission. Corequisite: PSY 230 or BIO 210. Same as PSY/SPM 306. R. Thompson
BFB310. Conditioning and Learning. Every Fall
An introduction to the process by which human and animal behavior changes as a function of experience. Examines basic mechanisms for learning (including habituation, sensitization and classical and operant conditioning) and explores the scientific and practical application of these mechanisms to explain and predict behavior. Discusses the extent to which learning mechanisms are consistent across species and how the physiology, natural environment and social systems of individual species interact with basic learning processes to produce different behavioral outcomes. Same as PSY 310. Sunsay
BFB330. Advanced Neurobiology. (N) (BWR) Offered in 2010—2012
Advanced issues in neuroscience will be explored from a comparative perspective in this lecture/seminar hybrid. The major sensory modalities will be studied from stimulus transduction to perception as models of neural processing. Current research in cellular, systems-level, integrative/behavioral and cognitive neuroscience will be emphasized. Laboratory includes an independent research project in sensory neurobiology defined, proposed, pursued and disseminated by small research teams. Prerequisite: BIO/BFB 240 or BIO 230 and permission of the instructor. Same as BIO 330. Jinks
BFB337. Behavioral Ecology. (N) (BWR) Offered in 2009—2011
Behavioral ecology is an integrative discipline that synthesizes ecology, evolution and physiology into the study of the origin and persistence of behaviors. We will study the fitness consequences of behavior, with particular attention to the study of adaptation, sexual selection, evolutionary tradeoffs and constraints and life histories. We will examine the interplay between proximate control and ultimate consequences of behavior. The course will focus heavily on peer-reviewed literature. Prerequisites: BIO 110 and permission of instructor. Same as BIO 337. Ardia
BFB341. Neurochemistry. (N) (BWR) Fall 2010
An introduction to neurochemistry focusing on cellular and membrane neurochemistry, intercellular and intracellular signaling and neuronal and whole-brain metabolism, with student-driven special topics in development, disease and/or behavior. Current research in these areas will be emphasized through student seminars. Laboratory includes a research project in neurochemistry designed, proposed, pursued and disseminated by small research teams. Prerequisites: BIO/BFB 240 or BIO 230 or BFB 302 and permission of the instructor. Same as BIO 341. Jinks
BFB343. Functional Human Neuroanatomy. (BWR) Offered in 2010—2012
This seminar utilizes a problem-solving approach to learning neuroanatomy by relating structure to function and functional disorders using data from carefully documented clinical cases. Seminar meetings will include student-led clinical case presentations, analysis of clinical localization, analysis of associated neuroimaging and discussion of clinical course and prognosis. The course will culminate with a class-wide debate on the biological basis of the mind. Non-traditional writing will be emphasized. Prerequisite: BIO/BFB 240 or BFB/PSY 302 and permission of the instructor. Same as BIO 343. Jinks
BFB390. Directed Research in Animal Behavior or Neuroscience. Every Semester
BFB480. Collaborative Research in Comparative Cognition and Behavior. (N) Every Spring
Comparative perspectives and approaches to the study of selected topics drawn from cognitive and developmental psychology, cognitive ethology, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, cognitive science and behavioral primatology. Research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210, one of PSY 250, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306; or one of BIO 250, 330, 379; or one of BFB 250, 301, 302, 306, 330, 379; or permission of the instructor. Same as PSY/SPM 480. Staff
BFB487. Collaborative Research in Biological Psychology. (N)Every Spring
The neurophysiological and structural basis of behavior with emphasis on motivation and learning, including the use of psychopharmacological methods. The role of endocrine and metabolic processes in the regulation of behavior is integrated with considerations of structure. Laboratory research required. Prerequisites: PSY 230 or BIO 210; PSY 302 or BIO/BFB 240 or permission. Same as PSY 487. Staff
BFB490. Senior Independent Research.
Independent research under the direction of either biology or psychology faculty. Permission of the BFB program chairperson and supervisory faculty member.
Topics courses expected to be offered in 2009—2010
Neural Control of Movement.
Physical Biology.
