ENROLL

Matt Rand, Jennifer Ross-Wolff, Lawrence Wichlinski,

This capstone seminar will cover current approaches and techniques in the field of neuroscience. Guest speakers and Carleton faculty in neuroscience and related areas will present their research.

1st 5 weeks

Jennifer Ross-Wolff

An analysis of animal development from fertilization to the establishment of the adult body form. Lectures and discussions will examine the key processes of animal embryogenesis, as well as the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control these developmental processes.

Prerequisite: Biology 125 and 126, and Biology 240 or 280

Bridget Jacques-Fricke

An analysis of the biology of neurons and the nervous system. Topics include the molecular basis of electrical excitability in neurons, synaptic transmission and plasticity, motor control, mechanisms of sensation, and construction and modification of neural circuits.

Prerequisite: Biology 125 and 126

BIOL 387 required

Jed C Yang

An introduction to the theory of computation. What problems can and cannot be solved efficiently by computers? What problems cannot be solved by computers, period? Topics include formal models of computation, including finite-state automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines; formal languages, including regular expressions and context-free grammars; computability and uncomputability; and computational complexity, particularly NP-completeness.

Prerequisite: Computer Science 111 and either Computer Science 202 or Mathematics 236

Justin London

Covers basic issues in auditory perception and cognition with an emphasis on the perception of musical pitch, including sensory discrimination, categorical perception, roughness and dissonance, absolute pitch, and auditory streaming. Other topics to be covered include the processing of language and music, and emotional responses to music. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both Music 227 and 228 to satisfy the LS requirement.

Prerequisite: A previous course in Music or Psychology, or instructor permission; Concurrent registration in Music 228

MUSC 228 required. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both MUSC 227 & 228 to staisfy the LS requirement.

Lawrence Wichlinski

The course provides instruction and experience in methods of behavioral neuroscience, the study of the inter-relation of the brain (and hormonal systems) and behavior. The focus of this laboratory will be on standard methods of inducing behavioral changes via neural and hormonal manipulations in mammals. Psychology 217 requires concurrent registration in Psychology 216. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both Psychology 216 and 217 to satisfy the LS requirement.

Prerequisite: Psychology 110

Lawrence Wichlinski

The course provides instruction and experience in methods of behavioral neuroscience, the study of the inter-relation of the brain (and hormonal systems) and behavior. The focus of this laboratory will be on standard methods of inducing behavioral changes via neural and hormonal manipulations in mammals. Psychology 217 requires concurrent registration in Psychology 216. A grade of C- or better must be earned in both Psychology 216 and 217 to satisfy the LS requirement.

Prerequisite: Psychology 110

Julie Neiworth

It should be obvious that every process that goes on in the mind has physiological underpinnings. But, whether we can unlock the secrets of learning, memory and perception as they are supported by neurons and neural connections is a longstanding and elusive problem in psychology. Contemporary articles are the text for this discussion-driven course. The student should leave the class with a working understanding of brain processes and of contemporary theories of brain processes that may support perception, memory, language, and consciousness.

Prerequisite: Psychology 110 or Biology 125 or Psychology 216 or permission of the instructor.