Neuroscience

This path is relevant for all trainees in neuroscience.

Foundational Courses

Course 1: NEURO 501 – Introduction to Neurobiology

Survey of molecular, cellular, and developmental neuroscience, including gene regulation, the cytoskeleton, protein sorting in the secretory pathway, growth factors, and neurotransmitter receptors. Includes lecture discussion of original literature.
Instructions: Must email instructor for permission.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 2: NEURO 504 – Biophysics of Nerve, Muscle, and Synapse

Introduces biophysical properties of nerve and muscle cells. Topics include intrinsic electrical properties of neurons, ion channels, receptor signaling, calcium signaling, contraction of muscles, and synaptic function. Offered jointly with P BIO 504.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

OR

Course 2: NEURO 548 – Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity

Discusses recent primary literature on the molecular mechanisms underlying structural and functional changes of dendritic spines and synapses in the mammalian brain as result of synaptic activity and experience. Offered jointly with P BIO 548.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-5, even years. Will be offered in SPR 2026.

Elective Courses

Course 1: BIOEN 563 – Optogenetics

Overview of optogenetics, which utilizes light-activated ion channels and fluorescent proteins to control and monitor neuronal activity through remote light stimulation in intact brain tissue. Includes (1) molecular basis, (2) tools and instrumentation, (3) experimental design, and (4) application range of optogenetic approaches. Builds a robust foundation for designing contemporary optogenetic experiments.
Offered WIN, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 2: BIOL 519 – Data Science for Biologists

Explores, analyzes, and visualizes biological data sets using scientific computing software. Focuses on the foundations of data wrangling, data analysis, and statistics, particularly the development of automated techniques that are reproducible and scalable to large data sets.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered.

Course 3: B STR 584 – Seminar in Neurogenesis

Current research on process by which neurons are generated in the nervous system.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered AUT, 1.0 credits, weeks 5-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 4: NEURO 503 – Cognitive And Integrative Neurobiology

Discussion of higher neural processes like learning, memory, and decision making. Lecture and discussion of original literature, exercises in data analysis and quantitative reasoning.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Dependent on department availability. Not currently offered.

Course 5: NEURO 511 – Seminar in Advanced Neurobiology

Weekly faculty lectures, student presentations, and discussions of past and current scientific literature in neurobiology and behavior.
Instructions: Email neurogrd@uw.edu for add code.
Offered AUT, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 6: NEURO 527 – Current Topics in Neuroscience

Presentation and critical discussion of classic and contemporary impactful neuroscience research articles.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered AUT and WIN, 1.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 7: PHCOL 531 – Genetic Analysis of Signaling Systems

Introduction to classic model organisms including plants, yeast, slime mold, flies, worms, fish, mice, and humans and a discussion of their use in current signal transduction research. A major focus will also be on developing a research grant proposal culminating in a mock study section in which student proposals are evaluated by their peers.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered SPR, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10, odd years. Likely to be offered in SPR 2027.

Course 8: PHCOL 573 – Signaling Systems Linked to Neuroinflammation

Discussion of research strategies, methodologies, and literature related to neuroinflammation, microglial cell activation, and the cannabinoid signaling pathway. Emphasis on solving practical problem, data analysis, and presentation.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered AUT and WIN, 1.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 9: PHCOL 583 – Kinase Signaling in Neurodevelopment and Disease

Explores fundamental concepts in kinase mediated signaling pathways and their regulation of neuronal structure and function during development and disease. Current genetic and proteomic approaches to investigate kinase pathways will be examined. Principles of experimental design, data interpretation and analysis will be discussed as graduate students present key findings of their individual research projects.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered AUT and WIN, 1.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

This path is most suited for trainees interested in disease-focused neuroscience training.

Foundational Courses

Course 1: NEURO 559 – Neurobiology of Disease

Introduces medically important neurological and psychiatric diseases and experimental approaches to understanding the basis for diseases and their treatments. Covers stroke, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases of the CNS, neurodegenerative diseases, autism, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
Not currently offered.

Elective Courses

Course 1: CONJ 556 – Drug Addiction: Mechanisms, Prevention, and Treatment

Key advances, insights, methods, and challenges for our understanding of drug addiction from psychological, pharmacological, psychiatric, community prevention, legal, and neurodevelopmental perspectives. Enhances familiarity with the multidisciplinary approaches required to understand addiction as a disease.
Offered WIN, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10, even years. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 2: PATH 513 – Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration

Introduction to the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative diseases, including introduction to the normal development and anatomy of the central nervous system, a review of epidemiologic, genetic, and clinical research tools used in the investigation of these diseases, and a systematic review of the major neurodegenerative diseases.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, Weeks 5-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 3: PHCOL 505 – Endocrine Pharmacology

Consideration of the pharmacology of endocrine systems including the hypothalamic/pituitary regulatory peptides, glycoprotein hormones/growth factors, peptide and steroid hormones. Lecture, group discussion, and analysis of recent research.
Prerequisite: Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-5, every year. Will be offered in SPR 2026.

Course 4: PHCOL 534 – Molecular Basis of Addictive Drug Action

Advanced consideration and discussion of current research literature addressing the basis of opioid, psychostimulant, and cannabinoid effects on signal transduction events, electrical activity of neurons, and drug-motivated behaviors in animal models of human substance use disorder.
Prerequisite: PHCOL 512 or permission of instructor.
Offered AUT, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10, even years. Likely to be offered in AUT 2026.

This path is most suited for trainees with interests in specialized courses.

Foundational Courses

Course 1: PBIO 545 – Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience

Discusses quantitative methods applicable to the study of the nervous system. Revolves around computer exercises/discussion of journal papers. May include linear systems theory, Fourier analysis, ordinary differential equations, stochastic processes, signal detection, and information theory.
Offered WIN, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Elective Courses

Course 1: CONJ 531 – Signaling Mechanisms in Excitable Cells

Mechanisms of cellular signaling, particularly in nerve and muscle. Electrical, chemical, and mechanical signaling in the cell that lead to processes such as electrical excitability, action potentials, and muscle contraction.
Prerequisite: Comprehensive undergraduate course in general biochemistry and molecular biology, or permission of instructor.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 2: CONJ 532 – Signal Transduction from the Cell Membrane to the Nucleus

Intracellular signaling pathways leading from cell membrane receptors to nucleus. Pathways activated by seven transmembrane receptors and G-proteins, insulin/PI3 kinase, MAPKs, and WNTs and mechanisms of signal termination. Cytokine/Jak/Stat signaling and role of subcellular localization in signal transduction. Offered jointly with PHCOL 502.
Offered AUT, 2.0 credits, weeks 6-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 3: CONJ 544 – Protein Structure, Modification, and Regulation

Overview of general principles of protein structure, including forces that contribute to folding and stabilization, followed by an extended coverage of the means by which protein structure and function are modified and regulated. Examples from recent developments in protein folding, processing, and allosteric regulation.
Prerequisite: Introductory biochemistry and cell biology.
Instructions: Contact graduateeducation@fredhutch.org for add code.
Offered WIN, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5, every year. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 4: MCB 536 – Tools for Computational Biology

Introduction to established best practices in computational biology. Learn to organize unstructured data into standard formats, transform data for statistical analyses, and visualize the transformed data. Learn workflows for reproducible research such as version control, project organization, and code documentation. Gain basic experience with Linux command line tools and the Python and R programming languages. Classes will involve hands-on learning through coding exercises, collaborative problem solving, and extensive use of online learning resources.
Instructions:Contact graduateeducation@fredhutch.org for add code.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10, every year. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

Course 5: PABIO 536 – Bioinformatics and Gene Sequence Analysis

Nature and relevance of molecular sequence information, computer-based protein, and DNA sequence analysis, molecular sequence and genomic databases, and methods for database accession and interrogation. Offered jointly with PHG 536.
Offered SPR, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered.

Course 6: PATH 558 – Integrative Omics

Explores how to integrate genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches with state-of-the-art genetic engineering strategies to uncover a systems-level understanding of pathway interactions that regulate disease pathogenesis and complex phenotypes. Offered jointly with MOLMED 558.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered

Course 7: PHCOL 505 – Endocrine Pharmacology

Consideration of the pharmacology of endocrine systems including the hypothalamic/pituitary regulatory peptides, glycoprotein hormones/growth factors, peptide and steroid hormones. Lecture, group discussion, and analysis of recent research.
Prerequisite: Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-5, every year. Will be offered in SPR 2026.

Course 8: PHCOL 562 – Molecular Basis for Motivated Behavior

Discussion of research strategies and methodologies involved in the regulation of motivated behavior by understanding signal transduction and synaptic physiology. Emphasis on practical problem solving, data analysis, and presentation methods important to modern scientific work.
Offered AUT and WIN, 1.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

Course 9: PHCOL 579 – Genetic Regulation of Emotional Behavior

Provides background in the materials and methods used in the study of the genetic basis of learning and memory and neural circuit function achieved through discussion of current literature, data acquisition and analysis, and experimental design.
Instructions: Must email instructor for approval.
Offered AUT and WIN, 1.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered WIN 2026.