Terms offered: Not yet offered
The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments. Topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Final assessment to be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Freshman Seminar: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
The human brain is the most complex structure in the known universe. The study of its structure and function and how it figures into our actions and mental experience is among the most exciting projects of modern science. This class begins with molecules and cells, builds up to brains and nervous systems, encompasses neural signaling, sensory perception, memory, language, and emotion, and culminates with the great mystery of how brain processes relate to consciousness and mental experience — that is, how the mind is related to the brain. This is a comprehensive introduction to the exciting subject of contemporary neuroscience, open to all interested students. This course runs in Session A.
Brain, Mind, and Behavior: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
The human brain is the most complex structure in the known universe. The study of its structure and function and how it figures into our actions and mental experience is among the most exciting projects of modern science. This class begins with molecules and cells, builds up to brains and nervous systems, encompasses neural signaling, sensory perception, memory, language, and emotion, and culminates with the great mystery of how brain processes relate to consciousness and mental experience — that is, how mind may be related to brain. This is a comprehensive introduction to the exciting subject of contemporary neuroscience, open to all interested students.
Brain, Mind, and Behavior: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2020
The history, chemical nature, botanical origins, and effects on the human brain and behavior of drugs such as stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, analgesics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, steroids, and other psychoactive substances of both natural and synthetic origin. The necessary biological, chemical, and psychological background material for understanding the content of this course will be contained within the course itself.
Drugs and the Brain: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course aims to introduce students to concepts that are central to the field of Neuroanatomy. The main emphasis of the course will be on the human central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Importantly, anatomy will be discussed in relation to the functions of the nervous system. Students will learn topics such as Cell Biology and Physiology, Neurodevelopment, sensory-motor systems, autonomic divisions, and the anatomy responsible for generating some of our higher cognitive functions. There are no prerequisites for this course, but a basic understanding of high school chemistry and biology is recommended.
Introduction to Functional Neuroanatomy: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Summer 2023 8 Week Session, Summer 2022 8 Week Session
This course will introduce lower division undergraduates to the fundamentals of neuroscience. The first part of the course covers basic membrane properties, synapses, action potentials, chemical and electrical synaptic interactions, receptor potentials, and receptor proteins. The second part of the course covers networks in invertebrates, memory and learning behavior, modulation, vertebrate brain and spinal cord, retina, visual cortex architecture, hierarchy, development, and higher cortical centers.
Exploring the Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Advances in neuroscience are forcing us to confront anew questions concerning the nature of identity, reality, morality, and free will. Scientists can now implant artificial memories, augment natural brain capabilities, and read out intentions from the brain before they are acted upon. This class intends to shine a light on the brave new world enabled by modern neuroscience through three lenses: science, film, and philosophy. Topics to be covered include: the architecture of the brain, AI & the mind body problem, the neural construction of reality, action and free will, memory, the neural basis of morality, mechanisms for brain wiring, mental illness, and brain machine interfaces.
Neuroscience, Film, and Philosophy: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
This course provides a survey of neuroscience research areas represented by faculty members in the Department of Neuroscience. Each week a different faculty member will give a one hour lecture on how their research field contributes to our understanding of the brain and behavior. The course will span molecular, cellular, circuits, systems, behavioral, cognitive, and computational neuroscience, to illustrate how different approaches fit into the overall field of neuroscience. Faculty will also inform students about courses that they teach in neuroscience and related areas. This course gives undergraduates an opportunity to learn about the spectrum of research within the field of neuroscience.
Survey of Neuroscience Research: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Lectures and small group discussions focusing on topics of interest, varying from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course provides credit for independent study by undergraduates working in a lab with a faculty member. The student is responsible for finding an instructor to supervise the work and should meet with that instructor regularly throughout the semester. Faculty members must commit to supervising and evaluating the student's work.

Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
This course is a comprehensive introductory survey of cellular and molecular neuroscience, including cellular neurophysiology, membrane biophysics, ion channel function, synaptic transmission and plasticity, sensory transduction, and nervous system development. We will discuss topics at the level of molecules to cells to simple circuits.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course is a comprehensive survey of circuits and systems neuroscience, including how brain function underlies behavior. Students will learn how brain circuits are organized, how the brain processes sensory information, how it plans and executes movement, and how it stores information during learning. We will discuss brain rhythms and sleep, and brain systems for emotion, reward, attention, and other higher functions. The major focus is on the mammalian brain, but we will also discuss principles from other organisms. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of the biological and computational principles for neural circuit function, and the neurobiological basis of behavior.
Circuit, Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2019
This course provides a comprehensive overview of behavioral endocrinology beginning with hormone production and actions on
target tissues/circuits and continuing with an exploration of a variety of behaviors and their regulation/consequences. The course also examines the reciprocal interactions between the neuroendocrine system and behavior, considering the impact of hormones on development and adult behavior, and how behavior regulates physiology. Although non-human vertebrate species will be the primary focus, the relevance of these topics to humans will also be explored. Topics include sexual differentiation and sex differences in behavior, reproductive, parental, and aggressive behavior, biological rhythms, and homeostatic regulation.
Hormones and Behavior: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
This course will provide students with insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying development of the nervous system. We will discuss the importance of these mechanisms by highlighting cases where alterations in these processes lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. We will review what is currently known about these topics and the areas of active research. In the lecture, we will refer to figures from research literature, and you will be reading and discussing articles in the discussion section. Reading articles critically is an important skill for all biologists and a great way to learn how research is conducted. By the end of the course, you will have a good background in neural development and the latest methods used to study it.
Neurodevelopment: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
The course will give insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying neurological diseases. The course is divided into three main sections: neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, and neurodegeneration. We will explore each of these topics at the molecular and cellular levels, reviewing what is currently known and the areas of active research. In lecture we will refer to figures from the research literature, and you will be reading and discussing articles in the discussion section. Reading articles critically is an important skill for all biologists and a great way to learn how research is conducted. By the end, you will have a good background in neurological diseases and a better ability to understand primary literature.
Neurobiology of Disease: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
In this course you will be introduced to a variety of techniques that are commonly used to study the nervous system including electrophysiology, optogenetics, cell biology, imaging, genetics, and anatomy. Experiments will be done on cells and invertebrates, and will cover molecular channel properties, neuronal cell physiology, development, and behavior. We hope that by analyzing the data from these experiments you will gain a better understanding of key principles in neuroscience. In addition, you will learn how to design experiments, troubleshoot experiments, analyze your data, and present your findings in written reports.
Neurobiology Laboratory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course provides you with a basic understanding of the principles of brain structures and function. Our emphasis is more integrative and broadly-based than in most neuroanatomy courses. In addition to the fundamental structural biology of the central and autonomic nervous systems, we will introduce a variety of techniques that are commonly used to study the nervous system including immunohistochemistry, MRI, and fluorescence imaging. We will address topics in developmental neurobiology, the sensory, motor, and limbic systems, as well as aspects of neurochemistry and neuropathology. You will also learn how to design experiments, troubleshoot experiments, analyze your data, and present your findings in written reports.
Neuroanatomy Laboratory: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course is intended for advanced undergraduates wishing to pursue independent research projects under the mentorship of a Neuroscience faculty member. To apply for NEU 191, the research project must be rigorous and provide significant training in biology.
Senior Research Thesis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course is intended for advanced undergraduates wishing to pursue independent research projects under the mentorship of a Neuroscience faculty member. To apply for NEU H196A, the research project must be rigorous and provide significant training in biology, have a major GPA of 3.5 or higher, and a cumulative UC Berkeley GPA of 3.3.
Honors Research Thesis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course is intended for advanced undergraduates wishing to pursue independent research projects under the mentorship of a Neuroscience faculty member. To apply for NEU H196B, the research project must be rigorous and provide significant training in biology, have a major GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have a cumulative UC Berkeley GPA of 3.3.
Honors Research Thesis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Lectures and small group discussions focusing on topics of interest, varying from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This course provides credit for independent study by undergraduates working in a lab with a faculty member. The student is responsible for finding an instructor to supervise the work and should meet with that instructor regularly throughout the semester. Faculty members must commit to supervising and evaluating the student's work.
Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
Professional core competency training for graduate students involved in neuroscience research at Berkeley. Includes survey of modern research methods, and professional skills including principles of experimental design and data reproducibility.

Neuroscience Research Design and Analysis: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Professional core competency training for graduate students involved in neuroscience research at Berkeley. Includes training in giving scientific presentations, scientific writing, and project management.

Neuroscience Career Skills: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
A survey of the field of biological psychology. Areas covered are (a) cognitive neuroscience; (b) biological bases of behavior; (c) sensation and perception (d) learning and memory, (e) thought and language.
Proseminar: Cognition, Brain, and Behavior: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
This is a graduate-level course on current topics in circuit and systems neuroscience. Topics include sensory coding, neural circuit computations, plasticity and learning, hippocampal function, motor control, and circuits for innate behaviors.
Circuit and Systems Neuroscience: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
This course covers molecular and cellular aspects of cellular excitability (including membrane potential, action potential generation, spike propagation, and ion channel structure and function), synaptic transmission and plasticity, and sensory systems. Primary reading material will be research papers. We will provide references to textbook chapters for background and review. This will be an interactive course in which you will be expected to be an active participant.
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
This course is intended for graduate students in the early stages of their thesis research who are contemplating using modern microscopy tools as part of their work. It endeavors to cut through the confusion of the wide array of new imaging methods, with a practical description of the pros and cons of each. In addition to providing an intuitive physical understanding how these microscopes work, the course will offer hands on experience with cutting-edge microscopes where students will be able to see firsthand how different imaging modalities perform on their own samples, and where they will be able to access computational tools for the visualization and analysis of their data.
Modern Optical Microscopy for the Modern Biologist: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Course that focuses on topical subjects in specific fields of neuroscience.
Seminars: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
Closely supervised, intensive laboratory experimental research under the direction of an individual faculty member. For first-year neuroscience graduate students, this course will provide an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in the different areas of neuroscience. Course sequence includes 3 ten-week laboratory rotations spread out over the fall and spring semesters. Credit and grade to be awarded upon completion of the full sequence.
Neuroscience Introduction to Research: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Not yet offered
Closely supervised, intensive laboratory experimental research under the direction of an individual faculty member. For first-year neuroscience graduate students, this course will provide an introduction to experimental methods and research approaches in the different areas of neuroscience. Course sequence includes 3 ten-week laboratory rotations spread out over the fall and spring semesters. Credit and grade to be awarded upon completion of the full sequence.
Neuroscience Introduction to Research: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
This course provides a holistic approach to graduate neuroscience education, with a focus on three key areas: 1) Improving research presentation skills: Fourth and fifth-year students present seminars on their dissertation research, emphasizing conceptual organization, data presentation, and summarization. 2) Exploring current neuroscience topics: Faculty speakers discuss advanced technical methods, analytical techniques, and preparing grant applications. 3) Seminar readiness: Students engage with seminar speakers during class sessions, reviewing articles authored by upcoming speakers and related publications.

Neuroscience Graduate Student Presentation Seminar: Read More [+]

Terms offered: Fall 2024
For graduate students in neuroscience in their second or later years. Two hours of seminar per week which complements the individual laboratory work under faculty supervision. Seminar will review current scientific literature and discuss original research performed by faculty, postdoctoral fellows, scientists, and graduate students in individual faculty laboratories.
Neuroscience Research Review: Read More [+]