Detailed Program Requirements
Fall Term [September 24 - December 7, 2007]
| COURSE | HOURS | TITLE | INSTRUCTOR |
| BEHN 601 | TBA | Research | Staff |
| BEHN 605 | TBA | Reading and Conference | Staff |
| BEHN 607 | 1 | Seminar: Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience | Wiren/Finn |
| BEHN 612 | 3 | Statistics | Stevens |
| BEHN 617 | 3 | Neurochem Substrates of Addiction | Mark |
| CONJ 650 | 2 | The Practice and Ethics of Science | Phillips |
| CONJ 607 | TBA | Seminar: Continuing Ed in Ethics | Williams |
Winter Term [January 7 - March 21, 2008]
| COURSE | HOURS | TITLE | INSTRUCTOR |
| BEHN 601 | TBA | Research | Staff |
| BEHN 605 | TBA | Reading and Conference | Staff |
| BEHN 607 | 1 | Seminar: Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience | Ryabinin/Kroenke |
| BEHN 613 | 3 | Advanced Statistics | Stevens |
| BEHN 615 | 4 | Conditioning, Learning, & Cognition | Mitchell/Stevens |
| CONJ 607 | TBA | Seminar: Continuing Ed in Ethics | Williams |
Spring Term [March 31- June 13, 2008]
| COURSE | HOURS | TITLE | INSTRUCTOR |
| BEHN 601 | TBA | Research | Staff |
| BEHN 605 | TBA | Reading and Conference | Staff |
| BEHN 607 | 1 | Seminar: Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience | Cunningham |
| BEHN 625 | 4 | Behavioral Genetics | Buck/Crabbe |
| CONJ 607 | TBA | Seminar: Continuing Ed in Ethics | Williams |
| NEUS 625 | 3 | Neurobiology of Disease | Westbrook |
Summer Term [June 23 - September 5, 2008]
| COURSE | HOURS | TITLE | INSTRUCTOR |
| BEHN 601 | TBA | Research | Staff |
| BEHN 605 | TBA | Reading and Conference | Staff |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
BEHN 503 Master's Thesis
-credits and advisor TBA, any term. [Course Table] --credits TBA, any term. [Course Table]BEHN 603 Thesis
-credits and advisor TBA, any term. [Course Table]
BEHN 605 Reading and Conference
-credits TBA with appropriate instructor, any term. [Course Table]
BEHN 607 Seminar
-credits TBA, topics to be arranged with appropriate instructor, any term. [Course Table]
BEHN 607 Seminar: Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience
-1 credit, fall, winter and spring terms.
Staff
A current topics seminar that focuses on the neurobiological determinants
of behavior and the effects of environment and experience on behavioral,
physiological, neurochemical and molecular processes. The term
coordinator(s) chooses the specific topic(s), and schedules regular
participation of the students. [Course
Table]
BEHN 612 Statistics
-3 credits, Fall term
A. Stevens
Statistical analysis methods and design for scientific research. Some topics covered are probability, exploratory data analysis, parametric vs nonparametric approaches and linear regression.
[Course Table]
BEHN 613 Advanced Statistics
-3 credits, Winter term
A. Stevens
An introduction to advanced statistical tests in scientific research. Topics covered include the general linear model framework and extensions to incorporate advanced experimental designs and correlation within data structures, multivariate statistics, and other selected advanced topics in statistics and research design.[Course Table]
BEHN 615 Conditioning, Learning & Cognition
-4 credits, winter term, alternate years beginning 2007-08.
Dr. S. Mitchell, R716, ext. 41650
An in-depth introduction to the principles of animal learning
and behavior. Emphasis is on methodological and theoretical issues
associated with fundamental learning phenomena in both classical
and instrumental conditioning. [Course
Table]
BEHN 616 Current Topics in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
-3 credits, fall term, alternate years beginning Fall 2006-07.
Dr. J. Raber, R708, ext 41524
This course intends to cover the latest developments in research
on neuroanatomical, cellular and molecular substrates of learning
and memory (L&M). This course will consist of an introductory
lecture followed by seminars on current topics in invertebrate
L&M; new models of vertebrate L&M; neuroanatomy and neurocircuitry
of L&M; neurophysiology of L&M; molecular substrates of
L&M; neuropharmacology of L&M; developmental aspects of
L&M; new molecular and genetic approaches of L&M; brain
imaging and L&M. Each seminar will consist of two parts. The
first a review of the topic will be presented by a faculty expert
in the field or by a student presenting a review paper-if the
expert faculty in this field in not available on campus. In the
second part, a current experimental paper on this topic will be
presented by a student and followed by discussion. Grading is
based on quality of presentation & participation. [Course
Table]
BEHN 617 Neurochemical Bases of Addiction
-3 credits, fall term, alternate years beginning 2007-08
Dr. G. Mark, ext. 42680
This course will provide a critical overview of the neurochemical
systems that are affected by exposure to drugs with abuse liability
in humans and will discuss the biochemical changes that may lead
to chronic drug abuse. The course will consist primarily of lectures
from faculty with expertise in specific neurotransmitter system
followed by round-table discussions of selected current literature.
Lectures will focus on classical neurotransmitter systems (e.g.,
monoamines, amino acids, neuropeptides) and their potential role
in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Categories
of drugs to be discussed include psychostimulants, opiates, hallucinogens
and benzodiazepines, barbiturates and alcohol. The overall aim
is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the
concepts necessary for studying the neurochemical mechanisms of
drug reinforcement and the development of effective neuropharmaceutical
therapies. [Course Table]
BEHN 618 Behavioral Neuroscience
-3 credits, spring term, alternate years beginning 2006-07
Drs. Greg Mark, R 726A, ext. 42680; T. Phillips, VA ext 095-56674
Survey of the basic and current literature of the field, with
emphasis on the role of the central nervous system in behavior;
fundamentals of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neurophysiology
basic to physiological psychology. [Course Table]
BEHN 619 Molecular Strategies in Behavioral Research
-3 credits, winter term, alternate years beginning 2006-07
Dr. K. Wiren, VA ext 095-56592 & Dr. A. Ryabinin
Introduction to molecular biology in the context of current, high
quality behavioral research. Some lecture, but primarily seminar
format. Molecular techniques covered include, but are not limited
to, cloning, mutagenesis, RNA quantitation, promoter analyses,
transgenic and antisense strategies, PCR, differential display
and in situ hybridization. [Course
Table]
BEHN 625 Behavioral Genetics
-3 credits, spring term, alternate years beginning 2007-08
Drs. K. Buck, VA ext 095-56659 & J. Crabbe, VA ext 095-55298.
Basic concepts and methods for the analysis of genetic influences
on behavior. Topics include basics of population genetics, classical
genetic crosses, gene mapping methods, selective breeding, human
genetic designs and ethics. [Course Table]
BEHN 626 Behavioral Psychopharmacology
-3 credits, winter term, alternate years beginning 2006-07
Dr. D. Finn, VA ext 095-57984.
Human psychopathology examined at the clinical level, in animal
models, in the central nervous system, and at the molecular level.
[Course Table]
CONJ 650 The Practice and Ethics of Science
-2 credits, fall term
Drs. T. Phillips, VA ext 095-56674 and W. Cameron ext 47876
This course is designed to provide trainees in biomedical research
with survival skills and an understanding of ethical conduct.
Topics covered include: "Being a trainee", "Scientific
integrity and Misconduct", "Scientific publication",
"Oral presentations", "Lab safety", "Use
of Laboratory Animals", "Human Subjects Research"
and "Research funding". Ethical dilemmas and issues
are discussed in context of the practice of science. [Course
Table]