PSYC401

Prerequisite: PSYC300; and (PSYC301 or BSCI353). Restriction: Permission of instructor; and must be in Psychology program; and must have earned a minimum of 85 credits. Students will study some of the key concepts in neuroscience by combining behavioral experiments with electrode recording from neurons controlling the behaviors. We will intensively examine concepts like creation of rhythmic behaviors (walking, flight), neurotransmitters control of aggression, drug affects on synaptic activity, high-speed neural circuits for effective escape from predators, and CNS maps in the visual system for directing prey capture. Students will learn microsurgery and a broad range of neural recording techniques. We work with animals (invertebrates, cold-blooded vertebrates) every week. A strong biology background will be beneficial.