Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
The Honours program is intended for students who are interested in laboratory-based research and in acquiring a foundation in each of the 3 streams of the Neuroscience Major Program (cell and molecular; neurophysiology and computational; and cognition and behaviour). Students are admitted to the program after one year in a major.
Applicants must have taken a minimum of 27 graded credits in their U1 year, must have a CGPA of at least 3.5, and must have obtained minimum grades of B+ in both NSCI 200 and NSCI 201, as well as a minimum grade of C in BIOL 200, BIOC 212 or BIOL 201, and CHEM 212. Additional requirements for applying are provided on the Neuroscience website: (). Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Honours Neuroscience program.
To graduate from the program, students must have a CGPA of 3.30 and a minimum grade of B+ in NCSI 300, NCSI 400, and NCSI 430D1/D2.
"First Class Honours" is awarded to students who obtain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.70, a minimum program GPA of 3.30, and a minimum grade of B+ in NSCI 300, NSCI 400, and NSCI 430.
Required Courses (38 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 Honours Neuroscience.
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BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Denis, Maxime; Giguere, Vincent; Gehring, Kalle; Kazak, Lawrence (Fall)
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BIOL 200 Molecular Biology (3 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Roy, Richard D W; Bureau, Thomas E; Hastings, Kenneth E M; Champetier, Serge (Fall)
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CHEM 212 Introductory Organic Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Chemistry : A survey of reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds including modern concepts of bonding, mechanisms, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Vlaho, Danielle; Pavelka, Laura; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi (Fall) Vlaho, Danielle; Luedtke, Nathan; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi (Winter) Vlaho, Danielle; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi (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 ().
**Although this course follows a Tuesday/Thursday class schedule, the last class will be held on Friday, June 25 due to the statutory holiday on Thursday, June 24.
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NSCI 200 Introduction to Neuroscience 1 (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Ruthazer, Edward; Stellwagen, David; Suvrathan, Aparna (Fall)
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NSCI 201 Introduction to Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Neuroscience : An introduction to how the nervous system acquires and integrates information and uses it to produce behaviour.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Darainy, Mohammad; Pérez Gay Juárez, Fernanda (Winter)
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NSCI 300 Neuroethics (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Yazdani, Armin; Beaudry, Jonas-Sébastien; Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Ernst, Carl; Stoljar, Natalie; Kimmelman, Jonathan; Racine, Eric; Friesen, Phoebe (Winter)
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NSCI 400D1 Neuroscience Seminar (0.5 credits)
Overview
Neuroscience : Analysis of current research in neuroscience.
Terms: Fall 2020
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.
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NSCI 400D2 Neuroscience Seminar (0.5 credits)
Overview
Neuroscience : See NSCI 400D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Sjostrom, Per Jesper (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
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NSCI 430D1 Honours Research Project (4.5 credits)
Overview
Neuroscience : Students undertake an independent research project in the field of neursocience under the guidance of an established McGill neuroscientist. They are expected to obtain hands-on research experience in their supervisor's laboratory, learn about the strengths and limitations of the methodology and work independently.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Cohen, Monroe W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Fall)
Corequisites: NSCI 400D1, NSCI 400D2
Restrictions: Only open to U3 students registered in the B.Sc. Honours Neuroscience. Requires departmental approval. Students must register for both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2. No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Students must register for both NSCI 420D1 and NSCI 420D2
No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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NSCI 430D2 Honours Research Project (4.5 credits)
Overview
Neuroscience : Students undertake an independent research project in the field of neursocience under the guidance of an established McGill neuroscientist. They are expected to obtain hands-on research experience in their supervisor's laboratory, learn about the strengths and limitations of the methodology and work independently.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Cohen, Monroe W; Dent, Joseph Alan (Winter)
Corequisites: NSCI 400D1, NSCI 400D2
Restrictions: Only open to U3 students registered in the B.Sc. Honours Neuroscience. Requires departmental approval. Students must register for both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2. No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Prerequisite: NSCI 430D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both NSCI 430D1 and NSCI 430D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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PHGY 311 Channels, Synapses and Hormones (3 credits)
Overview
Physiology : In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Krishnaswamy, Arjun (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.
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PSYC 311 Human Cognition and the Brain (3 credits)
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 2020, Summer 2021
Instructors: Brochu Barbeau, Elise; Zlatkina, Veronika (Fall) Zlatkina, Veronika; Brochu Barbeau, Elise; Sprung-Much, Trisanna (Summer)
Fall
2 lectures; 1 conference
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PSYC 318 Behavioural Neuroscience 2 (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Britt, Jon (Winter)
Complementary Courses (36 credits)
3 credits from:
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BIOC 212 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Pause, Arnim; Reinhardt, Dieter; Duchaine, Thomas; Kiss, Robert (Winter)
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BIOL 201 Cell Biology and Metabolism (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Brouhard, Gary; Champetier, Serge (Winter)
3 credits from:
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COMP 202 Foundations of Programming (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, primitive types, methods, conditionals, loops. Introduction to algorithms, data structures (arrays, strings), modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging, exception handling. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Alberini, Giulia; Campbell, Jonathan (Fall) Alberini, Giulia; Campbell, Jonathan (Winter) Parekh, Deven (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
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COMP 204 Computer Programming for Life Sciences (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Computer Science (Sci): Computer programming in a high level language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms, modular software design, libraries, file input/output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in the life sciences.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Blanchette, Mathieu (Fall) Li, Yue (Winter)
3 credits from:
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BIOL 373 Biometry (3 credits)
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: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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.
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MATH 324 Statistics (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, contingency tables, nonparametric inference, regression, Bayesian inference.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Asgharian, Masoud (Fall) Yang, Yi (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.
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PSYC 305 Statistics for Experimental Design (3 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Darainy, Mohammad (Fall) Kreitewolf, Jens (Winter) Darainy, Mohammad (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 from:
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 Honours Neuroscience.
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BIOL 309 Mathematical Models in Biology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Bub, Gil (Fall)
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MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Fortier, Jérôme; Kelome, Djivede (Fall) Vetois, Jerome (Winter) Trudeau, Sidney (Summer)
3 credits from:
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ANAT 321 Circuitry of the Human Brain (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Ragsdale, David S (Fall)
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BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Sakata, Jon; Dent, Joseph Alan; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
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PHGY 314 Integrative Neuroscience (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Chacron, Maurice; Cook, Erik; Pack, Christopher; Shmuel, Amir; Vollrath, Melissa; Lomber, Stephen; Brandon, Mark (Fall)
Fall
3 hours of lectures per week
Prerequisites: PHGY 209
The remaining 21 credits should be taken from the following lists. At least 15 of the 21 credits must be taken at the 400- or 500-level.
200- and 300-level courses:
*Students may take either COMP 206 or COMP 250, but not both.
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BIOL 202 Basic Genetics (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Western, Tamara; Nilson, Laura; Schoen, Daniel J; Hipfner, David; Dankort, David; Champetier, Serge (Winter)
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BIOL 300 Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Schöck, Frieder; Nilson, Laura; Lasko, Paul (Fall)
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BIOL 301 Cell and Molecular Laboratory (4 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Zheng, Huanquan; Western, Tamara; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Fall) Zheng, Huanquan; Western, Tamara; Harrison, Paul; Reyes Lamothe, Rodrigo (Winter)
Fall or Winter
1 hour lecture and one 6-hour laboratory
Prerequisites: BIOL 200, BIOL 201 (or ANAT 212/BIOC 212); or BIOL 219
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOC 300, or BIOC 220 and BIOC 320. 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.
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BIOL 306 Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Sakata, Jon; Dent, Joseph Alan; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
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BIOL 320 Evolution of Brain and Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Functional and comparative approach to neuroanatomy, examining how species changes in brain organization contribute to evolutionary changes in behaviour.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Woolley, Sarah; Sakata, Jon (Winter)
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BIOL 389 Laboratory in Neurobiology (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Methods of neurobiological research, including extracellular and intracellular recordings, electrical stimulation, and the study of neuro-behavioural problems.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Dent, Joseph Alan; Hendricks, Michael; Oyama, Tomoko (Winter)
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CHEM 222 Introductory Organic Chemistry 2 (4 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Auclair, Karine; Vlaho, Danielle; Pavelka, Laura (Fall) Vlaho, Danielle; Sirjoosingh, Pallavi (Winter)
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COMP 206 Introduction to Software Systems (3 credits) *
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 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: D'silva, Joseph (Fall) D'silva, Joseph; Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)
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COMP 250 Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Mathematical tools (binary numbers, induction, recurrence relations, asymptotic complexity, establishing correctness of programs), Data structures (arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary trees, binary search trees, heaps, hash tables), Recursive and non-recursive algorithms (searching and sorting, tree and graph traversal). Abstract data types, inheritance. Selected topics.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Alberini, Giulia (Fall) Alberini, Giulia (Winter)
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MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Pichot, Michael (Fall) Abdenbi, Brahim (Winter)
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MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Paquette, Courtney (Fall) Shirazi, Mohammad (Winter) Roth, Charles (Summer)
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MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)
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 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Sajjad, Alia; Wolfson, David B (Fall) Wolfson, David B; Sajjad, Alia (Winter) Kelome, Djivede (Summer)
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MATH 324 Statistics (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, contingency tables, nonparametric inference, regression, Bayesian inference.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Asgharian, Masoud (Fall) Yang, Yi (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.
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MIMM 214 Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Trottier, Claire (Winter)
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MIMM 314 Intermediate Immunology (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Piccirillo, Ciriaco; King, Irah (Winter)
Winter
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 214
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NEUR 310 Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Cloutier, Jean-Francois; Ragsdale, David S; Kennedy, Timothy E; Fournier, Alyson Elise; Sossin, Wayne Steven; Ruthazer, Edward; Huot, Philippe; Huang, Wei-Hsiang (Winter)
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PHAR 300 Drug Action (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Zorychta, Edith; Hales, Barbara F (Fall)
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PHGY 210 Mammalian Physiology 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Physiology : Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Vollrath, Melissa; Takano, Tomoko; Guevara, Michael R; Lauzon, Anne-Marie; White, John H (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lectures weekly
Prerequisites: BIOL 112, CHEM 110, CHEM 120, PHYS 101 or PHYS 131, and PHYS 102 or PHYS 142. Pre-/co-requisite: BIOL 200, BIOL 201, BIOC 212, CHEM 212 or equivalent.
Restriction: For students in the Faculty of Science, and other students by permission of the instructor
Although PHGY 210 may be taken without the prior passing of PHGY 209, students should note that they may have some initial difficulties because of lack of familiarity with some basic concepts introduced in PHGY 209
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PHGY 314 Integrative Neuroscience (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Chacron, Maurice; Cook, Erik; Pack, Christopher; Shmuel, Amir; Vollrath, Melissa; Lomber, Stephen; Brandon, Mark (Fall)
Fall
3 hours of lectures per week
Prerequisites: PHGY 209
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PSYC 213 Cognition (3 credits)
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 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Sheldon, Signy (Winter) McCrackin, Sarah (Summer)
Winter
2 lectures, 1 conference
Prerequisite: One previous course in Psychology.
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PSYC 302 The Psychology of Pain (3 credits)
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: Winter 2021
Instructors: Mogil, Jeffrey (Winter)
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PSYC 315 Computational Psychology (3 credits)
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: Winter 2021
Instructors: Johns, Brendan (Winter)
Fall
Prerequisite: 15 credits in any of Psychology, Cognitive Science, Biology, Mathematics and Statistics, Computer Science, or Neuroscience.
Restriction: Not open to U0 or U1 students.
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PSYC 317 Genes and Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : Focuses on current techniques employed to study which genes influence behaviour, and how they do so.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- PSYC 342 Hormones and Behaviour (3 credits)
400- and 500-level courses:
- BIOL 530 Advances in Neuroethology (3 credits)
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BIOL 532 Developmental Neurobiology Seminar (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Van Meyel, Donald; Kania, Artur; Fournier, Alyson Elise; Cloutier, Jean-Francois; Ruthazer, Edward (Winter)
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BIOL 580 Genetic Approaches to Neural Systems (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Hendricks, Michael; Watt, Alanna (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 306 or permission of the instructors.
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BIOL 588 Advances in Molecular/Cellular Neurobiology (3 credits)
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: Fall 2020
Instructors: Hastings, Kenneth E M; Krishnaswamy, Arjun; McPherson, Peter Scott; Poulin, Jean-Francois; Zhou, Yang (Fall)
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BMDE 519 Biomedical Signals and Systems (3 credits)
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 2020
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
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COMP 546 Computational Perception (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Computational models of visual perception and audition. Vision problems include stereopsis, motion, focus, perspective, color. Audition problems include source localization and recognition. Emphasis on physics of image formation, sensory signal processing, neural pathways and computation, psychophysical methods.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
3 hours
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 646.
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MATH 437 Mathematical Methods in Biology (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Khadra, Anmar (Winter)
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MIMM 414 Advanced Immunology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Fritz, Jörg; Pike, Kelly-Anne (Fall)
Fall
3 hour lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 314
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MIMM 509 Inflammatory Processes (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Rauch, Joyce; Di Battista, Giovanni (John) (Winter)
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NEUR 502 Basic and Clinical Aspects of Neuroimmunology (3 credits)
Overview
Neurology and Neurosurgery : The role of inflammation in physiological function of the nervous system, as well as in a broad range of neurological diseases where inflammation can act as a contributing factor to the development of pathology or promote recovery, including fundamentals of neuroimmunology to molecular/cellular aspects of neuroinflammation underlying the pathology seen in clinical conditions.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Zhang, Ji; Antel, Jack P; Hamel, Edith; Gruenheid, Samantha; Cermakian, Nicolas; Siegel, Peter; La Piana, Roberta; King, Irah; Sébire, Guillaume; Rudko, David (Winter)
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NEUR 503 Computational Neuroscience (3 credits)
Overview
Neurology and Neurosurgery : A survey of computational methods commonly used to model brain function, including mathematical modeling to describe the relationship between neuronal activity and perception, action, and cognition. Mathematical basis for vision, motor control and attention. Data relevant to brain processes and models explaining these data, using engineering, statistics and artificial intelligence.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Pack, Christopher; Sjostrom, Per Jesper; Baker, Curtis L; Misic, Bratislav; Cook, Erik; Chacron, Maurice; Blain-Moraes, Stefanie; Peyrache, Adrien (Winter)
Winter
Basic neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, some mathematics (linear algebra calculus, probability/statistics) or consent of instructor.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NEUR 603.
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NEUR 507 Topics in Radionuclide Imaging (3 credits)
Overview
Neurology and Neurosurgery : The course deals with neuroreceptor and oncologic imaging and imaging of cerebral bloodflow and metabolism. The role of radiochemistry and physics will be demonstrated in the context of clinical and research applications. Understanding how radiochemistry and physics intermingle with the medical aspects of radiotracer development will result in a deeper insight into the complex pathways of tracer design and the methods necessary to properly interpret the data obtained.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Kostikov, Alexey; Rosa, Pedro; Soucy, Jean-Paul; Thiel, Alexander (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken NEUR 607.
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NEUR 550 Free Radical Biomedicine (3 credits)
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: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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PHAR 562 Neuropharmacology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Bowie, Derek; Trempe, Jean Francois; Clarke, Paul; McKinney, R. Anne; Khoutorsky, Arkady; Multhaup, Gerhard; Munter, Lisa (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.
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PHGY 425 Analyzing Physiological Systems (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Cook, Erik; Glavinovic, Mladen I; Baker, Curtis L; Bashivan, Pouya (Fall)
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PHGY 451 Advanced Neurophysiology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Cooper, Ellis; Cohen, Monroe W; Bourque, Charles W; Chacron, Maurice; Suvrathan, Aparna (Fall)
Fall
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: PHGY 311 or equivalent
Restriction: Departmental approval required
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PHGY 513 Translational Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Physiology : Advanced key concepts in immunology as they relate to health and disease, including infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and autoimmunity, and cancer immunology.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Quail, Daniela; Divangahi, Maziar; Behr, Marcel A; Spicer, Jonathan; Fiset, Pierre-Olivier; Rauch, Joyce; Tsoukas, Christos M; Antel, Jack P; Bernard, Nicole F; Tremblay, Michel (Winter)
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PHGY 520 Ion Channels (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Sharif Naeini, Reza; Ragsdale, David S; Shrier, Alvin; Hanrahan, John W; Seguela, Philippe; Bowie, Derek (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.
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PHGY 524 Chronobiology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Cermakian, Nicolas; Bernard, Daniel; Storch, Kai-Florian (Fall)
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PHGY 556 Topics in Systems Neuroscience (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Guitton, Daniel E; Baker, Curtis L; Cook, Erik; Pack, Christopher; Lomber, Stephen; Peyrache, Adrien; Krishna, Suresh (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Permission of the instructor required.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken PHGY 456
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PSYC 410 Special Topics in Neuropsychology (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Fall)
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PSYC 427 Sensorimotor Neuroscience (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Ostry, David J (Winter)
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PSYC 433 Cognitive Science (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : The multi-disciplinary study of cognitive science, exploring the computer metaphor of the mind as an information-processing system. Focus on levels of analysis, symbolic modeling, Turing machines, neural networks, as applied to topics such as reasoning, vision, decision-making, and consciousness.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Otto, Ross (Winter)
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PSYC 444 Sleep Mechanisms and Behaviour (3 credits)
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 2020
Instructors: Solomonova, Elizaveta (Fall)
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PSYC 470 Memory and Brain (3 credits)
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: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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PSYC 502 Psychoneuroendocrinology (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : This advanced seminar course offers an in-depth introduction to current topics in psychoneuroendocrinology. Students will read and discuss original scientific literature from human and animal research interrogating the mechanisms by which hormones act in the brain to influence behaviour in health and disease. Students will gain a refined understanding of key concepts in psychoneuroendocrinology, such as negative feedback control and the key neuroendocrine axes and their role in behavioural control. They will apply this knowledge to critically evaluate original scientific literature and generate hypothesis-driven research questions from the scientific literature.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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PSYC 506 Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Ristic, Jelena (Winter)
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PSYC 513 Human Decision-Making (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : Interdisciplinary study of decision-making, covering contemporary approaches to understanding how humans compute values and make choices. Measurement of and techniques for assessing variables such as risk and uncertainty, utilities and preferences, reinforcement learning, heuristics and biases, and self-control. Emphasis on quantitative models of decision-making.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Otto, Ross (Fall)
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PSYC 514 Neurobiology of Memory (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : Advances in the understanding of the neurobiological bases of fundamental memory processes, such as memory consolidation maintenance, retrieval, and forgetting. The contribution of their dysregulation to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Consideration of findings from a variety of species, spanning insects to humans.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Hardt, Oliver (Winter)
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PSYC 522 Neurochemistry and Behaviour (3 credits)
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: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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PSYC 526 Advances in Visual Perception (3 credits)
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: Fall 2020
Instructors: Kingdom, Frederick A A; Mullen, Kathy T (Fall)
Winter
2 lectures
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PSYC 529 Music Cognition (3 credits)
Overview
Psychology : Interdisciplinary study of music cognition, with an emphasis on psychological, computational, and neuroscientific approaches. Focuses on listeners' response to sound, including perception, attention, memory, motor control, skilled performance, and emotional response.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Palmer, Caroline (Winter)
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PSYT 455 Neurochemistry (3 credits)
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 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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PSYT 500 Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (3 credits)
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 2021
Instructors: Wong, Tak Pan; Nagy, Corina; Chakravarty, Megha; Zhang, Tie Yuan; Beaulieu, Serge; Williams, Sylvain; Brunet, Alain; Gill, Kathryn; Srivastava, Lalit K; Leyton, Marco (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.
