Neuroscience

This path is most suited for trainees with little prior background 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. Note: Must email instructor for permission.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

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 AUT, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

OR

Course 2: NEURO 548 (offered jointly with PBIO 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 SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5, even years. Will be offered in SPR 2026

Elective Courses

Key electives recommended for this Path are below. Trainees may also review Electives noted in other paths to tailor their curricula.

Course 1: 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. Automated techniques are useful for image analysis because cells/tissues change shape during development; e.g., morphometric analysis.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 2: 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 2025

Course 3: 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. Note: Must email instructor for permission.
4.0 credits. Dependent on department availability

Course 4: NEURO 511 – Seminar in Advanced Neurobiology

Weekly faculty lectures, student presentations, and discussions of past and current scientific literature in neurobiology and behavior.
Offered AUT, 1.0-3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 5: PHCOL 537 – Molecular Neurobiology of the Cell Membrane

This graduate level course covers the cell biology of eukaryotic cell membranes and how they contribute to normal functioning and disease. Students will take turns introducing weekly topics and will participate in discussions of 2-3 papers assigned for each class.
Offered WIN, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-10, odd years. Will be offered in WIN 2025

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

Foundational Courses

Course 1: 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 AUT, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

OR (select one as foundation, the other may be an elective)

Course 1: NEURO 548 (offered jointly with PBIO 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 SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5, even years. Will be offered in SPR 2026

Course 2: NEURO 559 (offered jointly with PBIO 559, NEURL 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.
Offered SPR, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10.

Elective Courses

Key electives recommended for this Path are below. Trainees may also review Electives noted in other paths to tailor their curricula.

Course 1: 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. Automated techniques are useful for image analysis because cells/tissues change shape during development; e.g., morphometric analysis.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 2: 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 AUT, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 3: 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 6-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 4: 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(s): Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits, Weeks 1-5.

Course 5: 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(s): PHCOL 512 or permission of instructor.
Offered AUT, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-10, even years. Will be offered in AUT 2026

Course 6: PHCOL 537 – Molecular Neurobiology of the Cell Membrane

This graduate level course covers the cell biology of eukaryotic cell membranes and how they contribute to normal functioning and disease. Students will take turns introducing weekly topics and will participate in discussions of 2-3 papers assigned for each class.
Offered WIN, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-10, odd years. Will be offered in WIN 2025

This path is most suited for trainees with substantial prior neuroscience background.

Foundational Courses

Course 1: 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 AUT, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

OR

Course 1: NEURO 548 (offered jointly with PBIO 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 SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5, even years. Will be offered in SPR 2026

Course 2: PBIO 545 (offered jointly with NEURO 545) – Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience

Provides exposure to a variety of quantitative methods that are applicable to the study of the nervous system, and an intensive tutorial on mathematical methods and their application to neuroscience research. Format revolves around computer exercises and discussion of journal papers. Topics may include linear systems theory, Fourier analysis, ordinary differential equations, stochastic processes, signal detection theory, and information theory.
Offered WIN, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2025

Elective Courses

Key electives recommended for this Path are below. Trainees may also review Electives noted in other paths to tailor their curricula.

Course 1: 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. Automated techniques are useful for image analysis because cells/tissues change shape during development; e.g., morphometric analysis.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, Weeks 1-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 2: 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(s): Comprehensive undergraduate course in general biochemistry and molecular biology, or permission of instructor.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, Weeks 1-5. Course not currently being offered

Course 3: CONJ 532 (offered jointly with PHCOL 502) – 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 AUT, 1.5 credits, Weeks 6-10. Course not currently being offered

Course 4: CONJ 544 – Protein Structure, Modification, and Regulation

Overview of general principles of protein structure, including forces that contribute to folding and stabilization (in week 1), followed by comparative presentation of the primary means by which protein structure and function are studied (NMR, Crystallography, CryoEM and Computational Structure Prediction and modeling) in weeks 2 through 5. The course is intended for molecular and cellular biology student without a background or ongoing research training or experience in structural analyses. The course will introduce students to the basic principles, differences and similarities between different approaches for structural analyses, and will use examples from the recent literature to learn how to evaluate and exploit such studies.
Offered WIN, 1.5 credits, Weeks 1-5, odd years. Will be offered in WIN 2025

Course 5: 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.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10, every year. Will be offered in AUT 2025

Course 6: PABIO 536 (offered jointly with PHG 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. Prerequisite(s): Background in molecular biology and permission of instructor.
Offered SPR, 3.0 credits, Weeks 1-10.

Course 7: PATH 558 (offered jointly with MOLMED 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 SPR, 1.5 credits, Weeks 1-10.

Course 8: 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(s): Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5.