Curriculum

NGP core courses

(NEUS 624, 4 credits, Fall)

This course presents the fundamental principles of how nerve cells work. Starting with ion channels themselves, it integrates them into the functioning of individual neurons. The way in which voltage-dependent ion channels act in concert to generate action potentials and synaptic potentials is discussed in the framework of basic physical laws. The mechanisms of transmitter release and the postsynaptic actions of transmitter are studied. The overall aim is to provide students with a quantitative understanding of how individual nerve cells communicate with each other. This course is the first in a sequence of three courses presented sequentially in the first term.

(NEUS 625, 4 credits, Fall)

This is a survey course designed to introduce the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying the development, structure and function of the nervous system. The course is divided into three general topic areas: Development, Cell Biology and Signaling in the Nervous System.

(NEUS 627, 4 credits, Fall)

This course is an introduction to the functional anatomy, electrophysiology, and pharmacology of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Emphasis is placed on the functional organization and processing of information in the major input and output systems of the brain, including the somatosensory, motor, visual, auditory and autonomic and hormonal regulatory systems, and on the higher integrative functions of the nervous system, including learning, emotion, motor control, and sleep. The course will consist of lectures and readings in primary literature.

(NEUS 626, 3 credits, Spring every other year)

The course has the following general goals: 

  • To provide a foundation in the underlying mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disease. The course takes a theme-oriented approach to probe fundamental molecular, cellular and organismal mechanisms, rather than a disease-specific approach. The intent is to engage students who are interested in basic aspects of brain function.
  • To provide a toolbox of topical methods and issues relevant to the neurobiology of disease.
  • To provide a sampling of neurological and psychiatric disorders that serve as training examples for the themes addressed in goal one.
  • To provide hands-on exposure to clinical situations through live patient presentations, multimedia presentations, andvisits to clinics, hospital wards, and other clinical settings. Clinical Demonstrations stress hands-on interactive experience so that graduate students experience first-hand the impact of neurological and psychiatric disease on brain function, and on the social fabric of the patient's life, their families and their community.

(CONJ 650, 1 credit, Fall )

This course is an OHSU and NIH requirement to provide an introduction to basic principles of scientific conduct and practice for graduate students pursuing careers in biomedical research. Specific topics include: laboratory safety, professional standards, use of laboratory animals and human subjects, research funding and career development. Course materials will be presented primarily in the form of lectures and panel discussions, with opportunities for student discussion.

(NEUS 607, 2 credits, Fall, Winter, and Spring)

First year students are required to participate in the Vollum Seminar Course. The basis of the series is the Vollum Institute Seminar Series, which includes leading neuroscientists from around the world. Prior to the seminar, students meet to discuss publications by the speaker, attend the seminar and then have lunch with the speaker.

Elective courses

BEHN 615 Condition, Learning and Cognition
BEHN 616 Neurobiology of Learning & Memory
BEHN 631 Comparative Functional Neuroanatomy
BEHN 618 Behavioral Neuroscience
BEHN 619 Molecular Strategies in Behavioral Research
BEHN 625 Behavioral Genetics
BEHN 627 /628 /629 Neuroscience of Aging
BME 665 Intro to Computational Neurophysiology
CELL 615 /NEUS 627 Advanced Topics in Developmental Neuroscience
CELL 613 Tissue Biology
CELL 618 Mechanisms of Development
CELL 620 Model Systems Biology
CONJ 620 Biostatistics for Basic Science
CONJ 661 Structure/Function of Biological Molecules
CONJ 662 Genetic Mechanisms
CONJ 663 Bioregulation
CONJ 664 Cell Structure and Function
CONJ 665 Development, Differentiation and Disease
CONJ 667 Organ Systems
CONJ 668 Molecular Biophysics and Experimental Bioinformatics
CONJ 669 Principles of Chemical Biology
CONJ 670 Foundations of Measurement Science
CONJ 671 Analysis in Quantitative Bioscience
MSCI 621 Neuroscience and Behavior
NEUS 606 Neuroscience Journal Club (past and present topics: neurophysiology, molecular structure, neuroendocrinology, hearing, systems neuroscience, glial, computational neuroscience, cell neuroscience, cryo-electron microscopy))
NEUS 630 Fluorescence Microscopy Toolbox (Kaech-Petrie)
NEUS 631 Special Topics in Neuroscience (Adelman)
NEUS 633 Topics in Neuroendocrinology (Ronnekliev)
NEUS 635 Topics in Neuroscience Research (Trussell, Winter Term)
NEUS 637 Advanced Topics in Developmental Neuroscience (Copenhaver)
NEUS 638 Advanced Optical Techniques in Neuroscience (Jahr)
NEUS 642 Python Programming in Experimental Neuroscience (Buran and David, Fall Term)
PHPH 614 Neurophysiology and Pharmacology of Pain
PHPH 617 Pharmacokinetics: Drug Absorption, Distribution and Elimination
PHPH 619 Autonomic Drug Action
PHPH 620 Principle of Drug Discovery/Design
PHPH 621 The Visual System
PHPH 622 Ion Channels and Genetic Disease