Overview of the fundamental principles underlying the systems and circuits of the human nervous system, with a focus on cognitive processes and how these systems interact. Students will engage in the analysis of case studies, apply their knowledge of the neural circuitry to explain everyday phenomena, hypothesize ways to further investigate the nervous system, and propose how knowledge of neural circuits can be used in human society and the resulting implications.

Students will gain an appreciation of neuroscience as the nexus of chemistry, physics, and biology. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of how: both individual and networks of neurons function as variable electrical circuits; our nervous systems transduce signals from the outside world and sets-off molecular cascades; the behavior of a neuron can be changed and or remain the same in response to changing variables. Techniques used to study the nervous system at a cellular and molecular level will be discussed.