Courses

Courses by semester

Courses for Fall 2023

Complete Cornell University course descriptions are in the Courses of Study .

Course ID Title Offered
BIONB1220 FWS: Special Topics in Neurobiology and Behavior
The First-Year Writing Seminar is about introducing concepts in neuroscience and behavior and writing extensively about them. Topics vary by section.

Full details for BIONB 1220 - FWS: Special Topics in Neurobiology and Behavior

Fall, Spring.
BIONB2210 Neurobiology and Behavior I: Introduction to Behavior
General introduction to the field of animal behavior. Topics include evolution and behavior, behavioral ecology, sociobiology, chemical ecology, communication, orientation and navigation.

Full details for BIONB 2210 - Neurobiology and Behavior I: Introduction to Behavior

Fall, Summer.
BIONB3220 Hormones and Behavior
Covers comparative and evolutionary approaches to the study of the relationship between peripheral hormones and neuroendocrine mechanisms in vertebrates, including humans, with sexual behavior, affiliative bonds and social grouping, parental behavior, aggression, mating systems, stress, learning and memory, and biological rhythms.

Full details for BIONB 3220 - Hormones and Behavior

Fall.
BIONB3240 Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory
This course is designed to provide an introduction to experimental research on the neural basis of behavior and cognition in animals. Topics will include basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, neural and hormonal control of behavior, and learning and memory. Students will gain extensive hands on experience with a variety of laboratory techniques, and animal species, and behaviors.

Full details for BIONB 3240 - Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory

Fall.
BIONB3920 Drugs and the Brain
Introduction to neuropharmacology, with an emphasis on the neural mechanisms of psychoactive drugs. Topics include a brief introduction to neuropharmacology and a discussion of the major neurotransmitter families. The rest of the course covers the major psychoactive drugs, including cocaine, heroin, psychedelics, marijuana, and alcohol, as well as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression. Includes a term paper in the form of a grant proposal to study a current problem in neuropharmacology. The course will use i-Clickers, which the students should have before the first class.

Full details for BIONB 3920 - Drugs and the Brain

Fall.
BIONB3950 Molecular and Genetic Approaches to Neuroscience
Focuses on how different molecular and genetic approaches have led to major advances in neuroscience. Lectures, student presentations, and discussions examine original research articles. Topics include: ligand-gated channels, potassium channels, seven membrane spanning receptors, olfaction, pain and cold receptors, neurotransmitter release, neural networks, epilepsy, optogenetics, and circadian rhythms.

Full details for BIONB 3950 - Molecular and Genetic Approaches to Neuroscience

Fall.
BIONB4200 Topics in Neurobiology and Behavior
Courses on selected topics in neurobiology and behavior; can include lecture and seminar courses. Topics vary by section; see Class Roster.

Full details for BIONB 4200 - Topics in Neurobiology and Behavior

Fall, Spring.
BIONB4330 Topics in Cognitive Science
A seminar series examining current and classical ideas in human sciences and the humanities.  Themes vary from semester to semester.

Full details for BIONB 4330 - Topics in Cognitive Science

Fall, Spring.
BIONB4980 Teaching Experience
Designed to give qualified undergraduate students teaching experience through actual involvement in planning and assisting in biology courses.  This experience may include supervised participation in a discussion group, assisting in a biology laboratory, assisting in field biology, or tutoring.

Full details for BIONB 4980 - Teaching Experience

Fall, Spring.
BIONB7201 Research Design in the Study of Animal Social Behavior
A weekly journal club-style discussion. Graduate students may be expected to present a summary of their research or a summary of research in the literature related to their thesis once per year.

Full details for BIONB 7201 - Research Design in the Study of Animal Social Behavior

Fall, Spring.
BIONB7210 Introductory Graduate Survey in Neurobiology and Behavior
Designed to assist students in mapping their graduate careers and in choosing and pursuing transformative and tractable thesis topics. The core of the course will be open-ended discussions directed by paired neurobiology and behavioral ecology faculty on novel research frontiers in the study of mechanisms and the evolution of behavior (including in the zone of their conceptual intersection). Occasional laboratory experiences may also be included. Professional development topics will include how to: navigate graduate school, allocate time between reading, thinking creatively, and investing in research, design experiments, write grant proposals, give talks, and publish peer-reviewed papers.

Full details for BIONB 7210 - Introductory Graduate Survey in Neurobiology and Behavior

Fall.
BIONB7212 Professional Development for Biology Graduate Students
In-depth discussions of career choices for academic biologists to empower them to manage their careers. Topics to be covered insclude developing strong CVs, personal statements, public speaking and interviw skills, competing for postdoctoral, faculty and other professional positions, interviewing, dual careers, where to publish, grand administration, dealing with editors, tenure promotion and other issues. Workshops will include panel discussions with postdocs, former NBB graduates and faculty members.

Full details for BIONB 7212 - Professional Development for Biology Graduate Students

Fall.
BIONB7640 Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar
Group intensive study of current research in plant-insect interactions. Topics vary from semester to semester but include chemical defense, coevolution, insect community structure, population regulation, biocontrol, tritrophic interactions, and mutualism.

Full details for BIONB 7640 - Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar

Fall, Spring.
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