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Major Neuroscience (65 credits)

Offered by: Science     Degree: Bachelor of Science

Program Requirements

The Major program in Neuroscience is a focused program for students interested in how the nervous system functions. It is highly interdisciplinary and borrows principles and methodologies from a number of fields including: biology, biochemistry, physiology, psychology, as well as mathematics, physics, computer science, and immunology. To ensure that students have the appropriate foundation, they are required to take 29 credits in lower-level courses from physiology, biology, mathematics, computer science, psychology, and ethics. While flexible, the program offers students a concentrated selection of 15 credits to be taken from one of three areas of current scientific activities in the neurosciences: Cell/Molecular, Neurophysiology/Computation, or Cognition/Behaviour. In addition, students select 21 credits from a wide array of complementary courses to obtain more specialized training in areas of neuroscience that best suit their interest.

Note that enrolment in the Neuroscience Major is limited.

Program Prerequisites

Notes on admission to the Neuroscience Major program: Enrolment in the Neuroscience Major is limited to a total of 50 students per year. U0 students seeking admission to this program should consult the neuroscience website for admissions requirements and have completed the courses listed below or equivalent.

* Students complete one of MATH 139, MATH 140 OR MATH 150 but not both.
** Students complete one of either MATH 141 OR MATH 151 but not both.
*** Students complete one of either PHYS 101 OR PHYS 131 but not both.
+++ Students complete one of either PHYS 102 OR PHYS 142 but not both.

  • BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Schöck, Frieder (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours lecture and 3.5 hours laboratory/seminar

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking CEGEP objective 00XU or equivalent; or BIOL 115; or AEBI 122

    • Attendance at first lab is mandatory to confirm registration in the course.

  • CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Huot, Mitchell; Barrett, Christopher; Friscic, Tomislav; Pavelka, Laura (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics or permission of instructor; CHEM 120 is not a prerequisite

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A study of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Pavelka, Laura; Butler, Ian Sydney; Siwick, Bradley; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisites/corequisites: College level mathematics and physics, or permission of instructor: CHEM 110 is not a prerequisite

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

  • MATH 139 Calculus 1 with Precalculus (4 credits) *

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of trigonometry and other Precalculus topics. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Chen, Linan (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 4 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: a course in functions

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent.

    • Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • Students continue in MATH 141

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 140 Calculus 1 (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Hundemer, Axel W; Hu, Ying; Wallace, Michael (Fall) Vonk, Jan (Winter) Jakobson, Dmitry (Summer)

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour tutorial

    • Prerequisite: High School Calculus

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 120, MATH 139 or CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 141 Calculus 2 (4 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Pang, Chung Yin Amy (Fall) Shokoohi, Farhad; Hundemer, Axel W; Barsheshat, Yariv (Winter) Al Balushi, Ibrahim; McGillivray, Annaliza (Summer)

    • Prerequisites: MATH 139 or MATH 140 or MATH 150.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 121 or CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent

    • Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

  • MATH 150 Calculus A (4 credits) *

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Roth, Charles (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture, 2 hours tutorial

    • Students with no prior exposure to vector geometry are advised to take MATH 133 concurrently. Intended for students with high school calculus who have not received six advanced placement credits

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UN or equivalent

    • Restriction Note B: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

    • MATH 150 and MATH 151 cover the material of MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 222

  • MATH 151 Calculus B (4 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Roth, Charles (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture; 2 hours tutorial

    • Each Tutorial section is enrolment limited

    • Prerequisite: MATH 150

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP objective 00UP or equivalent

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 122 or MATH 130 or MATH 131, except by permission of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MATH 152

  • PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics (4 credits) ***

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : An introductory course in physics without calculus, covering mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, and rotational motion), oscillations and waves, sound, light, and geometrical optics.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 131, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

  • PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism (4 credits) +++

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Electric field and potential. D.C. circuits and measurements. Capacitance. Magnetic field and induction. A.C. circuits Semiconductor devices and their application. Electromagnetic waves.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Provatas, Nikolaos (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures; 2 hours laboratory; tutorial sessions

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 101.

    • Corequisite: MATH 139 or higher level calculus course.

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 142, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

  • PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves (4 credits) ***

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ragan, Kenneth J (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures; 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions

    • Corequisite: MATH 139 or higher level calculus course.

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 101, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

  • PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics (4 credits) +++

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : The basic laws of electricity and magnetism; geometrical and physical optics.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gervais, Guillaume; Engelberg, Edith M (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory in alternate weeks; tutorial sessions

    • Prerequisite: PHYS 131.

    • Corequisite: MATH 141 or higher level calculus course.

    • Restriction: Not open to students taking or having taken PHYS 102, CEGEP objective 00UR or equivalent

    • Laboratory sections have limited enrolment

Core Required Courses (20 credits)

* Note: Students who have successfully completed an equivalent of CHEM 212 in CEGEP or elsewhere must replace these credits with a 3-credit elective course to satisfy the total credit requirement for the Neuroscience Major.

  • BIOL 200 Molecular Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Bureau, Thomas E; Roy, Richard D W; Zetka, Monique; Hastings, Kenneth E M (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or equivalent

    • Corequisite: CHEM 212 or equivalent

  • CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits) *

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Sleiman, Hanadi; Pavelka, Laura (Fall) Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Lumb, Jean-Philip (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Daoust, Michel (Summer)

    • Fall, Winter, Summer

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or equivalent.

    • Corequisite: CHEM 120 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken CHEM 211 or equivalent

    • Each lab section is limited enrolment

    • Note: Some CEGEP programs provide equivalency for this course. For more information, please see the Department of Chemistry's Web page ().

  • NSCI 200 Introduction to Neuroscience 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : An introduction to how nerve cells generate action potentials, communicate with one another at synapses, develop synaptic connections, early brain development, and the construction of specific neural circuits.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ruthazer, Edward; Murai, Keith; Stellwagen, David (Fall)

  • NSCI 201 Introduction to Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : An introduction to how the nervous system acquires and integrates information and uses it to produce behaviour.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Casey, Kevin Francis (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 200 or PSYC 211 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PSYC 308.

  • NSCI 300 Neuroethics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : An introduction to ethical issues arising from basic and clinical neuroscience. Overview of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research interventions in mental and neurological disorders, and their implications on society.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Racine, Eric; Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Seller, Lori (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 200 and NSCI 201 or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Open to students in the Major Neuroscience Program

  • NSCI 400D1 Neuroscience Seminar (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : Analysis of current research in neuroscience.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Sjostrom, Per Jesper (Fall)

    • Fall/Winter

    • Prerequisites: NSCI 200, 201, and 300

    • Restriction: Open to students in their final year of a B.Sc. Major Neuroscience Program

    • Students will demonstrate their understanding of neuroscience by writing critical analyses of selected published papers and research seminars.

  • NSCI 400D2 Neuroscience Seminar (0.5 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : See NSCI 400D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Cooper, Ellis (Winter)

    • Fall/Winter

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 400D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 400D1 and NSCI 400D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • PSYC 311 Human Cognition and the Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The course is an introduction to the field studying how human cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, language, learning and memory, planning and organization, are related to brain processes. The material covered is primarily based on studies of the effects of different brain lesions on cognition and studies of brain activity in relation to cognitive processes with modern functional neuroimaging methods.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Petrides, Michalakis (Fall) Petrides, Michalakis (Summer)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures; 1 conference

Complementary Courses (45 credits)

9 core credits selected as follows:

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 373 Biometry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Elementary statistical methods in biology. Introduction to the analysis of biological data with emphasis on the assumptions behind statistical tests and models. Use of statistical techniques typically available on computer packages.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Leung, Brian (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hours lecture and 2 hours laboratory

    • Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.

  • PSYC 305 Statistics for Experimental Design (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to the design and analysis of experiments, including analysis of variance, planned and post hoc tests and a comparison of anova to correlational analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Amsel, Rhonda N (Fall) Hwang, Heungsun (Winter) Amsel, Rhonda N (Summer)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 204 or equivalent

    • This course is required of all students who propose to enter an Honours or Major program in Psychology

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.

3 credits completed by taking the course below or an equivalent in Computer Science.

  • COMP 202 Foundations of Programming (3 credits)

    Offered by: Computer Science (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to programming in a modern high-level language, modular software design and debugging. Programming concepts are illustrated using a variety of application areas.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Lyman-Abramovitch, Melanie; Pomerantz, Daniel (Fall) Cai, Yang; Cheung, Jackie; Lyman-Abramovitch, Melanie (Winter) Pomerantz, Daniel (Summer)

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course

    • Restrictions: COMP 202 and COMP 208 cannot both be taken for credit. COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students interested in scientific computation. COMP 202 cannot be taken for credit with or after COMP 250

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 309 Mathematical Models in Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Glass, Leon (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: one year of calculus. An additional course in calculus is recommended

  • MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Drury, Stephen W; Huang, Jingyin (Fall) Drury, Stephen W (Winter) McGregor, Geoffrey (Summer)

** Note: Students who have successfully completed an equivalent to MATH 222 at CEGEP or elsewhere, must replace these credits with a 3-credit elective course to satisfy the total credit requirement for the Neuroscience Major.

Streams

15 credits selected from one of the following streams:

A. Cell and Molecular Stream

15 credits selected as follows:

9 credits as follows:

  • BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biochemistry : The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: St-Pierre, Julie; Schmeing, Thomas Martin; Tremblay, Michel (Fall)

  • BIOL 202 Basic Genetics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences.

    Terms: Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Schoen, Daniel J; Moon, Nam Sung; Nilson, Laura (Winter) Dankort, David; Hipfner, David (Summer)

    • Winter, Summer

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking LSCI 204.

  • PHGY 311 Channels, Synapses & Hormones (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Sharif Naeini, Reza (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week; 1-3 hours optional lab/demonstration/tutorial arranged for a maximum of 3 afternoons per term

    • Prerequisite: PHGY 209 or permission of the instructor.

3 credits from:

  • BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biochemistry : An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Duchaine, Thomas; Branton, Philip E; Bouchard, Maxime (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200

    • Restrictions: A non-terminal course intended to be followed by BIOC 311; BIOC 312 in the U2 year. Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 201 or ANAT 212.

  • BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Brown, Gregory G; Roy, Richard D W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212 or BIOC 212

3 credits from:

  • MIMM 214 Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity (3 credits)

    Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Madrenas, Joaquin (Winter)

  • PHAR 300 Drug Action (3 credits)

    Offered by: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Pharmacology and Therapeutics : Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. Frequently encountered drugs will be used as a focus to illustrate sites and mechanisms of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination and adverse side effects.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Zorychta, Edith; Hales, Barbara F (Fall)

B. Neurophysiology/Neural Computation Stream

15 credits selected as follows:

6 credits as follows:

  • ANAT 321 Circuitry of the Human Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anatomy and Cell Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Anatomy & Cell Biology : This course explores the functional organization of the human brain and spinal cord. The course focuses on how neuronal systems are designed to subserve specific motor, sensory, and cognitive operations.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ragsdale, David S (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hour lectures, 2 hours laboratory/tutorial

    • Prerequisites: ANAT/BIOC 212 or BIOL 201; and one of PHGY 209, NSCI 200 or PSYC 211; or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Open to U3 students only

  • PHGY 311 Channels, Synapses & Hormones (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Sharif Naeini, Reza (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week; 1-3 hours optional lab/demonstration/tutorial arranged for a maximum of 3 afternoons per term

    • Prerequisite: PHGY 209 or permission of the instructor.

3 credits from:

  • BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biochemistry : An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Duchaine, Thomas; Branton, Philip E; Bouchard, Maxime (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200

    • Restrictions: A non-terminal course intended to be followed by BIOC 311; BIOC 312 in the U2 year. Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 201 or ANAT 212.

  • BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Brown, Gregory G; Roy, Richard D W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212 or BIOC 212

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Watt, Alanna; Dent, Joseph Alan; Sakata, Jon (Fall)

  • PHGY 314 Integrative Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cullen, Kathleen E; Sharif Naeini, Reza; Cook, Erik (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week

    • Prerequisites: PHGY 209

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 309 Mathematical Models in Biology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Application of finite difference and differential equations to problems in cell and developmental biology, ecology and physiology. Qualitative, quantitative and graphical techniques are used to analyze mathematical models and to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Glass, Leon (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: one year of calculus. An additional course in calculus is recommended

  • COMP 206 Introduction to Software Systems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Computer Science (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Computer Science (Sci) : Comprehensive overview of programming in C, use of system calls and libraries, debugging and testing of code; use of developmental tools like make, version control systems.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Meger, David; Dudek, Gregory L (Fall) Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)

  • MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Drury, Stephen W; Huang, Jingyin (Fall) Drury, Stephen W (Winter) McGregor, Geoffrey (Summer)

** Note: Students who have successfully completed an equivalent to MATH 222 at CEGEP or elsewhere, must replace these credits with a 3-credit elective course to satisfy the total credit requirement for the Neuroscience Major.

C. Cognitive/Behavioural Stream

15 credits selected as follows:

9 credits as follows:

  • ANAT 321 Circuitry of the Human Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anatomy and Cell Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Anatomy & Cell Biology : This course explores the functional organization of the human brain and spinal cord. The course focuses on how neuronal systems are designed to subserve specific motor, sensory, and cognitive operations.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ragsdale, David S (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 hour lectures, 2 hours laboratory/tutorial

    • Prerequisites: ANAT/BIOC 212 or BIOL 201; and one of PHGY 209, NSCI 200 or PSYC 211; or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Open to U3 students only

  • PSYC 213 Cognition (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Where do thoughts come from? What is the nature of thought, and how does it arise in the mind and the brain? Cognition is the study of human information processing, and we will explore topics such as memory, attention, categorization, decision making, intelligence, philosophy of mind, and the mind-as computer metaphor.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Sheldon, Signy (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures, 1 conference

    • Prerequisite: One previous course in Psychology.

  • PSYC 318 Behavioural Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The physiological bases of motivational states, with respect to feeding, drinking, sexual behavior, drug use, and aggression. Physiological bases of learning and memory.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Britt, Jonathan (Winter)

3 credits from:

  • BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Watt, Alanna; Dent, Joseph Alan; Sakata, Jon (Fall)

  • PHGY 314 Integrative Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cullen, Kathleen E; Sharif Naeini, Reza; Cook, Erik (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week

    • Prerequisites: PHGY 209

3 credits from:

  • LING 390 Neuroscience of Language (3 credits)

    Offered by: Linguistics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Linguistics : The neurobiological study of the human language faculty. Theoretical and experimental approaches to neurolinguistics, focusing on linguistic capacity in the healthy and damaged brain.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: An introductory course in Linguistics, Psychology or Neuroscience at the 200 level or above.

  • PSYC 302 The Psychology of Pain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to pain research and theory, with emphasis on the interactions of psychological, cultural and physiological factors in pain perception. The role of these factors in clinical pain and its management by pharmacological and non-pharmacological means will be discussed.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures

    • Prerequisite: any of the following: NSCI 201, PSYC 211, PSYC 212 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken PSYC 505.

  • PSYC 317 Genes and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Mogil, Jeffrey (Fall)

  • PSYC 342 Hormones and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The role of hormones in organization of CNS function, as effectors of behaviour, in expression of behaviours and in mental illness.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Duchesne, Annie (Winter)

Other Complementary Courses

(21-23 credits)

3-16 credits from:

  • BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : An introduction to laboratory techniques with a focus on methods used to investigate fundamental questions in modern cell and molecular biology. Techniques including gene cloning, DNA and protein isolation and manipulation are covered, along with functional analysis of genes and proteins, basic bioinformatics, and computer-based experimental design and data analysis.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall) Zheng, Huanquan; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Winter)

    • Fall or Winter

    • 1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory

    • Prerequisites: PHYS 102 or PHYS 142, BIOL 200, BIOL 201 or ANAT/BIOC 212, and BIOL 202. BIOL 206 recommended.

    • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300. Requires departmental approval.

    • For approval email anne-marie.sdicu [at] mcgill.ca. Specify your ID number as well as the term and two lab day preferences.

  • BIOL 389 Laboratory in Neurobiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Watt, Alanna; Hendricks, Shelton; Krahe, Rudiger (Winter)

  • NSCI 410 Independent Research 1 (6 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : Independent laboratory research in neuroscience.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan (Fall) Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)

    • Prerequisites: NSCI 200 and 201

    • Restrictions: Only open to students registered in the B.Sc. Neuroscience Major. Not open to students who have taken or are taking NSCI 420D1 & D2.

  • NSCI 420D1 Independent Research 2 (4.5 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : Independent laboratory research in neuroscience.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan (Fall) Dent, Joseph Alan (Summer)

    • Prerequisites: NSCI 200 and NSCI 201

    • Restrictions: Only open to students registered in the B.Sc. Neuroscience Major. Not open to students who have taken or are taking NSCI 410.

    • Students must register for both NSCI 420D1 and NSCI 420D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 420D1 and NSCI 420D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.

  • NSCI 420D2 Independent Research 2 (4.5 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neuroscience : See NSCI 420D1 for course description.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Cooper, Linda H (Fall) Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 420D1

    • Restrictions: Only open to students registered in the B.Sc. Neuroscience Major. Not open to students who have taken or are taking NSCI 410.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 420D1 and NSCI 420D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

The remainder of the credits should be taken from the following lists. At least 15 of the 21-23 credits must be at the 400- or 500-level, which could include the above NSCI 410 or NSCI 420D1/NSCID2 research courses:

200- and 300-level courses:

* Students take either BIOL 201 OR BIOC 212, but not both.

  • BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biochemistry : An introductory course describing the biochemistry and molecular biology of selected key functions of animal cells, including: gene expression; mitochondrial production of metabolic energy; cellular communication with the extra-cellular environment; and regulation of cell division.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Duchaine, Thomas; Branton, Philip E; Bouchard, Maxime (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200

    • Restrictions: A non-terminal course intended to be followed by BIOC 311; BIOC 312 in the U2 year. Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 201 or ANAT 212.

  • BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biochemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biochemistry : The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: St-Pierre, Julie; Schmeing, Thomas Martin; Tremblay, Michel (Fall)

  • BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits) *

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Brown, Gregory G; Roy, Richard D W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lecture, 1 hour optional tutorial

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking ANAT 212 or BIOC 212

  • BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Schöck, Frieder; Moon, Nam Sung (Fall)

  • BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms of animal behaviour; neuroethology; cellular neurophysiology, integrative networks within nervous systems; neural control of movement; processing of sensory information.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Watt, Alanna; Dent, Joseph Alan; Sakata, Jon (Fall)

  • BIOL 320 Evolution of Brain and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Woolley, Sarah; Sakata, Jon (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of conference (mandatory)

    • Prerequisite: NSCI 201 or BIOL 306

  • CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits)

    Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Chemistry : Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Daoust, Michel; Sewall, Samuel Lewis; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Harpp, David Noble; Perepichka, Dmytro (Fall) Daoust, Michel; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Huot, Mitchell; Harpp, David Noble; Arndtsen, Bruce A (Winter) Pavelka, Laura; Gauthier, Jean-Marc; Daoust, Michel (Summer)

    • Fall, Winter

    • Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken an equivalent Organic 2 at CEGEP (see Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Basic Math and Sciences Equivalence Table at ) or who have or are taking CHEM 234.

  • COMP 206 Introduction to Software Systems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Computer Science (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Computer Science (Sci) : Comprehensive overview of programming in C, use of system calls and libraries, debugging and testing of code; use of developmental tools like make, version control systems.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Meger, David; Dudek, Gregory L (Fall) Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)

  • LING 390 Neuroscience of Language (3 credits)

    Offered by: Linguistics (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Linguistics : The neurobiological study of the human language faculty. Theoretical and experimental approaches to neurolinguistics, focusing on linguistic capacity in the healthy and damaged brain.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: An introductory course in Linguistics, Psychology or Neuroscience at the 200 level or above.

  • MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Xu, Jian-Jun (Fall) Lu, Xinyang (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)

    • Prerequisite: MATH 222.

    • Corequisite: MATH 133.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 325.

  • MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016, Summer 2016

    Instructors: Anderson, William J (Fall) Vrbik, Irene (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)

    • Prerequisites: MATH 141 or equivalent.

    • Restriction: Intended for students in Science, Engineering and related disciplines, who have had differential and integral calculus

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 356

  • MATH 324 Statistics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, contingency tables, nonparametric inference, regression, Bayesian inference.

    Terms: Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Neslehova, Johanna (Fall) Genest, Christian (Winter)

    • Fall and Winter

    • Prerequisite: MATH 323 or equivalent

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 357

    • You may not be able to receive credit for this course and other statistic courses. Be sure to check the Course Overlap section under Faculty Degree Requirements in the Arts or Science section of the Calendar.

  • MIMM 214 Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity (3 credits)

    Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Madrenas, Joaquin (Winter)

  • MIMM 314 Intermediate Immunology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : An intermediate-level immunology course covering the cellular and molecular basis of lymphocyte development and activation in immune responses in health and disease.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Piccirillo, Ciriaco; Fournier, Sylvie; Colmegna, Inés (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours of lecture

    • Prerequisite: MIMM 214

  • NEUR 310 Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neurology and Neurosurgery : A survey of the functional organization of nerve cells, signalling in the nervous system, and principles of neural development. Topics include cell polarity, neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, receptors and second messengers, cell lineage, guidance of axon outgrowth, and nerve regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on analysis of neurons at the molecular level.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Cloutier, Jean-Francois; Ragsdale, David S; Kennedy, Timothy E (Winter)

  • PHAR 300 Drug Action (3 credits)

    Offered by: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Pharmacology and Therapeutics : Principles of pharmacology and toxicology. Frequently encountered drugs will be used as a focus to illustrate sites and mechanisms of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination and adverse side effects.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Zorychta, Edith; Hales, Barbara F (Fall)

  • PHGY 210 Mammalian Physiology 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: White, John H; Takano, Tomoko; Guevara, Michael R (Winter)

  • PHGY 311 Channels, Synapses & Hormones (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Sharif Naeini, Reza (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week; 1-3 hours optional lab/demonstration/tutorial arranged for a maximum of 3 afternoons per term

    • Prerequisite: PHGY 209 or permission of the instructor.

  • PHGY 314 Integrative Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : In depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviours.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cullen, Kathleen E; Sharif Naeini, Reza; Cook, Erik (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours of lectures per week

    • Prerequisites: PHGY 209

  • PSYC 302 The Psychology of Pain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to pain research and theory, with emphasis on the interactions of psychological, cultural and physiological factors in pain perception. The role of these factors in clinical pain and its management by pharmacological and non-pharmacological means will be discussed.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 3 lectures

    • Prerequisite: any of the following: NSCI 201, PSYC 211, PSYC 212 or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who are taking or have taken PSYC 505.

  • PSYC 315 Computational Psychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Application of computational methods to the simulation of psychological phenomena. Comparison of natural and artificial intelligence. Symbolic and neural network techniques. Methods for evaluating simulations.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Shultz, Thomas R (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to U0 or U1 students.

  • PSYC 317 Genes and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Mogil, Jeffrey (Fall)

  • PSYC 318 Behavioural Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The physiological bases of motivational states, with respect to feeding, drinking, sexual behavior, drug use, and aggression. Physiological bases of learning and memory.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Britt, Jonathan (Winter)

  • PSYC 342 Hormones and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The role of hormones in organization of CNS function, as effectors of behaviour, in expression of behaviours and in mental illness.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Duchesne, Annie (Winter)

400- and 500-level courses:

** Students may take either MATH 437 OR PHYS 413, but not both.

  • BIOL 514 Neurobiology Learning and Memory (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Properties of nerve cells that are responsible for learning and memory. Recent advances in the understanding of neurophysiological, biochemical and structural processes relevant to neural plasticity. Emphasis on a few selected model systems involving both vertebrate and invertebrate animals.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Nader, Karim (Fall)

  • BIOL 530 Advances in Neuroethology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Neural mechanisms underlying behaviour in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Woolley, Sarah; Krahe, Rudiger (Winter)

  • BIOL 532 Developmental Neurobiology Seminar (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Discussions of all aspects of nervous system development including pattern formation, cell lineage, pathfinding and targeting by growing axons, and neural regeneration. The basis for these discussions will be recent research papers and other assigned readings.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Van Meyel, Donald; Kania, Artur; Fournier, Alyson Elise (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 1 hour lecture, 2 hours seminar

    • Prerequisites: BIOL 303 or BIOL 306 or permission of instructor

  • BIOL 580 Genetic Approaches to Neural Systems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : This course will focus on recent research employing genetic-based methods to examine the functional and structural properties of the nervous system. The focus will be on approaches for studying neural circuits and behavior in a range of model organisms. Topics will include recent technological advances, such as optogenetics for modifying and controlling neuronal activity, and animal models of neurological diseases. Students will critically analyze the application of these methods to current research through in-class discussion of primary literature, student presentations, and written assignments.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Hendricks, Shelton; Watt, Alanna (Fall)

    • Prerequisite(s): BIOL 306 or permission of the instructors.

  • BIOL 588 Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Biology (Sci) : Discussion of fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the general features of cellular neurobiology. An advanced course based on lectures and on a critical review of primary research papers.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours seminar

    • Prerequisite: BIOL 300 and BIOL 306 or permission

  • BMDE 519 Biomedical Signals and Systems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Biomedical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering)

    Overview

    Biomedical Engineering : An introduction to the theoretical framework, experimental techniques and analysis procedures available for the quantitative analysis of physiological systems and signals. Lectures plus laboratory work using the Biomedical Engineering computer system. Topics include: amplitude and frequency structure of signals, filtering, sampling, correlation functions, time and frequency-domain descriptions of systems.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Kearney, Robert E (Fall)

    • (3-0-6)

    • Prerequisites: Satisfactory standing in U3 Honours Physiology; or U3 Major in Physics-Physiology; or U3 Major Physiology-Mathematics; or permission of instructor

  • MATH 437 Mathematical Methods in Biology (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : The formulation and treatment of realistic mathematical models describing biological phenomena through qualitative and quantitative mathematical techniques (e.g. local and global stability theory, bifurcation analysis and phase plane analysis) and numerical simulation. Concrete and detailed examples will be drawn from molecular and cellular biology and mammalian physiology.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Khadra, Anmar (Winter)

  • MIMM 414 Advanced Immunology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : An advanced course serving as a logical extension of MIMM 314. The course will integrate molecular, cellular and biochemical events involved in the ontogeny of the lymphoid system and its activation in the immune response. The course will provide the student with an up-to-date understanding of a rapidly moving field.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fritz, Jörg; Richer, Martin; Krawczyk, Connie (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hour lecture

    • Prerequisite: MIMM 314

  • MIMM 509 Inflammatory Processes (3 credits)

    Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : This course concentrates on the non-specific aspects of the immune response, an area which is not adequately covered by the other immunology courses presented at the university. Interactions between guest researchers (from McGill and other universities) and students will be furthered.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Rauch, Joyce Ellen; Di Battista, Giovanni; Lesage, Sylvie (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours of seminar

    • Corequisite: PHGY 513 or MIMM 414

    • This course will be given in conjunction with the Division of Experimental Medicine

    • Prerequisite: MIMM 314

  • NEUR 550 Free Radical Biomedicine (3 credits)

    Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Neurology and Neurosurgery : An interdisciplinary course on the biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology of free radicals, transition metals, oxidative stress and antioxidants and their roles in health and disease.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Schipper, Hyman M; Pantopoulos, Konstantinos (Winter)

  • PHAR 562 Neuropharmacology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Pharmacology and Therapeutics : Topics in pharmacology with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of drug-action and cellular targets in the nervous system.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Bowie, Derek (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: PHAR 301 or with permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Open to U3 students in the minor, major or honours program in Pharmacology, or with permission of instructor.

  • PHGY 425 Analyzing Physiological Systems (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : An introduction to quantitative analysis of physiological data, both to the mode of thinking and to a set of tools that allows accurate predictions of biological systems. Examples will range from oscillating genetic networks to understanding higher brain function. Modelling and data analysis through examples and exercises will be emphasized.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cook, Erik; Glavinovic, Mladen I; Chacron, Maurice (Fall)

  • PHGY 451 Advanced Neurophysiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : Topics of current interest in neurophysiology including the development of neurons and synapses, physiology of ionic channels, presynaptic and postsynaptic events in synaptic transmission and neuronal interactions in CNS function.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Cohen, Monroe W; Bourque, Charles W (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lecture

    • Prerequisite: PHGY 311 or equivalent

    • Restriction: Departmental approval required

  • PHGY 513 Cellular Immunology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : This course deals with cellular interactions, regulation and effector mechanisms of the normal immune response in relation to diseases and pathogenic processes. It is taught at an advanced level.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Jones, Russell; Saleh, Maya; Behr, Marcel A (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours lectures plus term paper

    • Prerequisite: MIMM 314, or permission of the instructor

  • PHGY 520 Ion Channels (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : A discussion of the principal theories and interesting new developments in the study of ion channels. Based on a textbook, computer exercises and critical reading and presentation of research papers. Topics include: Properties of voltage-and ligand-gated channels, single channel analysis, structure and function of ion channels.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Sharif Naeini, Reza; Ragsdale, David S; Cooper, Ellis (Fall)

    • Winter

    • Offered in even numbered years

    • 1 1/2 hour lecture, 1 1/2 hour seminar

    • Prerequisite: PHGY 311

    • Priority to Graduate and Honours students; others by permission of instructors.

  • PHGY 524 Chronobiology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : An introduction to the field of chronobiology. The aim is to provide basic instruction on different types of biological rhythms, with particular focus on circadian rhythms.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Cermakian, Nicolas; Bernard, Daniel; Storch, Kai-Florian (Fall)

  • PHGY 556 Topics in Systems Neuroscience (3 credits)

    Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physiology : Topics of current interest in systems neurophysiology and behavioural neuroscience including: the neural representation of sensory information and motor behaviours, models of sensory motor integration, and the computational analysis of problems in motor control and perception. Students will be expected to present and critically discuss journal articles in class.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Guitton, Daniel E; Cook, Erik (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Restriction: Permission of the instructor required.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PHGY 456

  • PHYS 413 Physical Basis of Physiology (3 credits) **

    Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Physics : Analytic and computer simulation techniques are used to examine the role of nonlinearities and time delays in determining the dynamic behaviour of physiological control systems and their relation to normal and pathophysiological states. Examples drawn from the control of respiration, cellular proliferation and differentiation, biochemical feedback networks, thermoregulatory mechanisms, and neural feedback.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 3 hours lectures

    • Prerequisite: MATH 315, or MATH 325, and permission of the instructor

    • Intended for Major or Honours students in Physics, Physiology, Physiology and Physics, or Mathematics and others with permission

  • PSYC 410 Special Topics in Neuropsychology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Developments in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychiatry via readings from primary sources. Topics include the neural bases of memory, emotion, social cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases. Integrating knowledge from studies in clinical populations and functional neuroimaging studies.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Fall)

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 311 or PSYC 308. Knowledge of basic neuropsychology at the level covered in PSYC 311 is assumed

  • PSYC 427 Sensorimotor Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : A systematic examination of the sensorimotor system, drawing on models and data from both behavioural and physiological studies. Topics include: cortical motor areas, cerebellum, basal ganglia, spinal mechanisms, motor unit properties and force production, prioception, muscle properties.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ostry, David J (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: PSYC 308 or permission of instructor

  • PSYC 444 Sleep Mechanisms and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : This course covers basic biological mechanisms, possible functions and behavioural aspects of sleep. Additional topics include: disorders of sleep, their effects on behaviour and cognition, and treatment approaches; as well as medical, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and drugs, that affect sleep.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Pompeiano, Maria (Fall)

  • PSYC 470 Memory and Brain (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Memory systems are studied with an emphasis on the neural computations that occur at various stages of the processing stream, focusing on the hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, cerebellum and cortex. The data reviewed is obtained from human, non-human primates and rodents, with single unit recording, neuroimaging and brain damaged subjects.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Rajah, Maria (Winter)

  • PSYC 501 Auditory Perception (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Auditory perception and its neural correlates, covering acoustics, auditory anatomy and neurobiology, and the neural correlates of perception of loudness, pitch, spatial location, frequency specificity, musical, speech sounds, and segregation of component sounds in multi-sound environments in both humans and animals.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • 2 lectures

    • Prerequisite: Undergraduate courses in perception or sound or neuroscience and permission of instructor.

    • Restrictions: For U3 and graduate students.

  • PSYC 502 Psychoneuroendocrinology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Neuroendocrinological mechanisms of action that underlie specific behaviors and their disorders. Hormones and cognitive functioning, sexual functioning, aggression, mood and stress in humans and will focus on methods of hypothesis-testing in these areas.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • PSYC 506 Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : An introduction to cognitive properties and neural mechanisms of human attention. The material will include an overview of the history of attention research, contemporary theories of attention, the varieties of attention, behavioral and neuroimaging experimental methods, the nature of attentional dysfunctions, and the links between attention and other cognitive functions including memory and consciousness.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Winter)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 213 and PSYC 311, and one of PSYC 305 OR BIOL 373, or permission of instructor.

    • Restrictions: Open only to Psychology, Cognitive Science and Neuroscience students. Not open to students who have taken PSYC 365.

  • PSYC 522 Neurochemistry and Behaviour (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : Anatomical, biochemical and physiological aspects of neurotransmitter systems in the brain, current theories of the function of these systems in normal and abnormal behaviour, and the actions of psychotropic drugs.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Casey, Kevin Francis (Winter)

  • PSYC 526 Advances in Visual Perception (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : We examine in detail the structure of the visual system, and its function as reflected in the perceptual abilities and behaviour of the organism. Parallels are also drawn with other sensory systems to demonstrate general principles of sensory coding.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Kingdom, Frederick A A; Mullen, Kathleen T (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 2 lectures

  • PSYC 532 Cognitive Science (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychology : The multi-disciplinary study of intelligent systems. Problems in vision, memory, categorization, choice, problem solving, cognitive development, syntax, language acquisition, and rationality. Rule-based and connectionist approaches.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Shultz, Thomas R (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisites: Admission to the Cognitive Science Minor or permission of instructor. Students should ideally have some cognitive science background in at least two disciplines

  • PSYT 455 Neurochemistry (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychiatry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychiatry : Covers biochemical mechanisms underlying central nervous system function. Introduces basic neuroanatomy, CNS cell types and morphology, neuronal excitability, chemically mediated transmission, glial function. Biochemistry of specific neurotransmitters, endocrine effects on brain, brain energy metabolism and cerebral ischemia (stroke). With examples, where relevant, of biochemical processes disrupted in human CNS disease.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • PSYT 500 Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychiatry (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Psychiatry : Current theories on the neurobiological basis of most well known mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, dementia). Methods and strategies in research on genetic, physiological and biochemical factors in mental illness will be discussed. Discussion will also focus on the rationale for present treatment approaches and on promising new approaches.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Wong, Tak Pan; Chakravarty, Megha; Mechawar, Naguib (Winter)

    • Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite (Undergraduate): BIOC 212 and BIOC 311, or BIOC 312, or BIOL 200 and BIOL 201, or PHGY 311, or PSYC 308 and an upper-level biological science course with permission of the instructors, or equivalent. Basic knowledge of cellular and molecular biology is required.

    • Restriction: Open to U3 and graduate students only.

    • Restriction: Graduate Studies: strongly recommended for M.Sc. students in Psychiatry.

  • PSYT 505 Neurobiology of Schizophrenia (3 credits)

    Offered by: Psychiatry (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Overview

    Psychiatry : Multidisciplinary issues on pathogenesis and pathophysiology of schizophrenia from molecular genetics to cognitive psychology, including current theories of the disorder based on up-to-date evidence from recent research.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Office hours: After class or by appointment

    • Prerequisites: PSYC 308, BIOL 306, PHGY 314 or permission of instructor

    • Restriction: Open to U3 and M.Sc. students.

  • REDM 410 Writing Research Articles (3 credits)

    Offered by: Redpath Museum (Faculty of Science)

    Overview

    Redpath Museum : Students will learn about the scientific article, publishing in the sciences, and the benefits of writing for a wide audience. This course focuses on how to structure the Abstract, as well as the Introduction and Discussion section of the full manuscript, and on editing techniques.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: 24 credits of 200/300-level Science courses.

    • Restriction: This is an advanced course and permission of the instructor is required. To obtain permission, students should email the instructor, linda.cooper [at] mcgill.ca. Not open to students who are taking or have taken REDM 399.

Faculty of Science—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 20, 2015) (disclaimer)
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