Last updated: August 4, 2004 @ 10:13AM

Neuroscience

Director
Stefan M. Brudzynski, Department of
Psychology

Co-ordinators
David A. Gabriel (Physical Education and
Kinesiology)
A Joffre Mercier (Biological Sciences)

Participating Faculty
Stefan M. Brudzynski (Psychology), David DiBattista (Psychology), Robert L. Carlone (Biological Sciences), Kimberly A. Cote (Psychology), Christian Duval (Physical Education and Kinesiology) Jane Dywan (Psychology), David A. Gabriel (Physical Education and Kinesiology), Dawn E. Good (Psychology), A. Joffre Mercier (Biological Sciences), Cameron C. Muir (Psychology), Sidney J. Segalowitz (Psychology), Gaynor E. Spencer (Biological Sciences), Glenn Tattersall (Biological Sciences), Paul D. Tyson (Psychology)

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Beulah Alexander

905-688-5550, extension 3115
Mackenzie Chown MC F236
http://www.brocku.ca/neuroscience/

Neuroscience, the study of behaviour and its underlying neural mechanisms, is studied in psychology, biology and other departments at many universities, but there is an increased tendency in North America and Europe to offer neuroscience as a specialized major program. Neuroscience combines selected courses from the disciplines of psychology, biology and kinesiology that illustrate cellular, physiological and behavioural approaches to examining the nervous system. The program is specifically designed to permit integration of information derived experimentally from many disciplines to gain a better understanding of the relationships between neural function and behaviour. Neuroscience provides information and skills necessary for careers in the health and behavioural sciences. It also provides a firm basis for graduate studies in the neurosciences and depending on choice of courses, prepares the student for entry into medicine, dentistry, chiropractic and physical or occupational therapy.

The BSc Honours program is divided into three streams, allowing students to specialize in either Neurobiological, Neuropsychological or Neuromotor fields. Honours students must familiarize themselves with the Neuroscience streams and plan appropriately. The Office of the Registrar must be notified of the stream you wish to pursue at the end of the second year. Except for the Neuromotor stream, the first two years are identical in the program. Honours and co-op students must apply for entry to Year 4 in order to complete NEUR 4F90, 4F91 or 4F92. Admittance requires a minimum 70 percent average in all major credits and an average of 60 percent in the remaining credits.

The BSc with a Major program is designed to allow students to select courses that suit individual interests and may result in a program that is more general. However, it also offers freedom to specialize within sub-disciplines of neuroscience by following courses in any stream of the Honours program.

The Neuroscience Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a five-year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting studying the core concepts of neuroscience prior to taking the first work placement. The Co-op Programs Office will facilitate admission decisions. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Neuroscience Co-op students are assessed an annual administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

Students admitted to the Neuroscience Co-op program must follow the Co-op program schedule. Failure to adhere to the schedule may result in removal from the Neuroscience Co-op program. Eligibility to continue in the Neuroscience Co-op program is based on the student's major and non-major averages. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average may continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Neuroscience Co-op program, but may continue in the non-co-op Neuroscience stream. If a student subsequently raises his/her major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted only if approved by the Co-op Admissions Committee. For further information, see the Co-op Programs section of the Calendar, and contact the Centre for Neuroscience.

The Neuroscience Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Program Notes
  1. With permission of the honours supervisor, students may arrange to begin NEUR 4F90, 4F91 or 4F92 in the spring session of Year 4.
  2. Students, who elect to take PSYC 3F40, complete one-half elective credit. Students, who elect to take one of PSYC 2F12, 2F20 2F50, 3F46, complete one-half elective credit. Students, who elect to take PSYC 3F40 and one of PSYC 2F12, 2F20 2F50, 3F46, are not required to take an elective credit.
  3. In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above.

Honours Program

Neurobiology stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   one credit from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P51, 3P60
·   one elective credit
Year 4
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91
·   one of BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84
·   one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92
·   one and one-half credits from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84
·   one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Neuromotor stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PEKN 2P04
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one-half elective credit
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   PEKN 3P10, 3P94 and 4P10
·   one-half elective credit
Year 4
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91
·   PEKN 4P94 and 4P98
·   one of BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92
·   BIOL 4P28, 4P34 and 4P84
·   PEKN 4P98 and 4P94
·   one elective credit
Neuropsychology stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   PSYC 3F40 or 3P30 (see program note 2)
·   one of LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P56
·   one elective credit (see program note 2)
Year 4
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91
·   PSYC 3P39
·   one credit from LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P21, 4P22, 4P56, 4V86, 4V87, 4V88
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92
·   two and one-half credits from LING 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P21, 4P22, 4P56, 4V86, 4V87, 4V88
·   one elective credit
Neuroscience Co-op Program (Honours only)

Students admitted to the Co-op program must follow the program schedule as listed below. Failure to adhere may result in removal from the program.

Neurobiology stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PSYC 2F23
·   SCIE 0N90
·   one elective credit
Spring/Summer Sessions:
·   NEUR 0N01
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   one credit from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P38, 3P51, 3P60
·   one elective credit
Year 4
Fall Term:
·   NEUR 0N02
Winter Term:
·   NEUR 0N03
Year 5
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91 (see program note 1)
·   one of BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84
·   one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92 (see program note 1)
·   one and one-half credits from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84
·   one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Neuromotor stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PEKN 2P04
·   PSYC 2F23
·   SCIE 0N90
·   one-half elective credit
Spring/Summer Sessions:
NEUR 0N01

Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   PEKN 3P10, 3P94 and 4P10
·   one-half elective credit
Year 4
Fall Term:
·   NEUR 0N02
Winter Term:
·   NEUR 0N03
Year 5
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91
·   PEKN 4P94 and 4P98
·   one of BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92
·   BIOL 4P28, 4P34 and 4P84
·   PEKN 4P94 and 4P98
·   one elective credit
Neuropsychology stream

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PSYC 2F23
·   SCIE 0N90
·   one elective credit
Spring/Summer Sessions:
·   NEUR 0N01
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   PSYC 3F40 or 3P30 (see program note 2)
·   one of LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P56
·   one elective credit (see program note 2)
Year 4
Fall Term:
·   NEUR 0N02
Winter Term:
·   NEUR 0N03
Year 5
Thesis option
·   NEUR 3P97, 4F90 and 4F91(see program note 1)
·   PSYC 3P39
·   one credit from LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, NEUR 4V86, 4V87, 4V88, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P21, 4P22, 4P56
·   one elective credit
Library Research option
·   NEUR 3P97 and 4F92 (see program note 1)
·   two and one-half credits from LING 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, NEUR 4V86, 4V87, 4V88, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P21, 4P22, 4P56
·   one elective credit

BSc with a Major Program

Year 1
·   BIOL 1F90
·   CHEM 1F92
·   PHYS 1P91
·   PHYS 1P92 or 1P93
·   PSYC 1F90
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 2
·   NEUR 2F36
·   BIOL 2F01
·   CHEM 2P20
·   MATH 1P12 or 1P97
·   PSYC 2F23
·   one elective credit
Year 3
·   NEUR 3F91, 3P34, 3P90 and 3P98
·   BCHM 3P01
·   one credit from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P56
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   NEUR 3P97
·   one of BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84
·   three credits from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84, LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P68, 3P91, 3P92, 3P94, 3P99, 3Q98, 4P21, 4P22, 4P56 4V86, 4V87, 4V88
·   one elective credit

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
NEUR 2F36
Physiological Psychology
(also offered as PSYC 2F36)
Biological aspects of behaviour; functional activities of the brain from the neuron through to the interrelationships among neural systems. Topics include drugs and behaviour, sensorial and motivational systems, emotion and stress, learning and memory, language and psychiatric disorders.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to NEUR, CHSC, HLSC, KINS and PSYC (single or combined) majors with a minimum 67 percent major average until date specified in BIRT guide.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1F90.
Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

NEUR 3F91
Neuroscience
(also offered as PSYC 3F91)
Integrative approach to neuroscience from basic elements of molecular neuroscience, physiology of excitable cells, neurophysiology of major brain systems to behavioural neuroscience and selected topics in affective and cognitive neuroscience. Emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the subject and the integrative aspects of brain function. General insight into a number of classical disciplines including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, neurochemistry and neurology.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours alternating weeks.
Restriction: open to NEUR, CHSC, HLSC and PSYC (single or combined) major until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or 3.0 PSYC credits above PSYC 1F90.
Prerequisite: NEUR 2F36 or permission of the instructor.
Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

NEUR 3P34
Neurobiology
(also offered as BIOL 3P34)
Structure and function of nerve cells: Electrical properties of neurons, synaptic function and transmitters, neural plasticity and cellular basis of behaviour.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2F01.

NEUR 3P90
Investigative Neurobiology
(also offered as BIOL 3P90)
Methods used in neurobiology and neurophysiology. Electro-physiological techniques, including intracellular recording from nerve cells and muscle, and on theory and techniques for electrophysiological data acquisition. Other topics include intracellular staining, immunocyto-chemistry and assay procedures.
Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2F01 or PSYC 2F36.
Note: BIOL 3P34 is strongly recommended for students who have not taken PSYC 2F36.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in NEUR (BIOL) 3P84.

NEUR 3P97
Bases of Neuropsychopharmacology
(also offered as PSYC 3P97)
Mechanisms of drug action and classification of psychoactive agents. Elements of pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) and a review of the major groups of psychoactive agents including hypnotics, analgesics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, psychostimulants and neuroleptics emphasizing mechanisms and consequences of drug action on selected neurotransmitter systems (dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic).
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to NEUR, CHSC, HLSC and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits and 3.0 PSYC credit above PSYC 1F90.
Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

NEUR 3P98
Introduction to Human Neuropsychology
(also offered as PSYC 3P98)
Relation between brain function and behaviour examined through clinical syndromes and experimental strategies. Topics include disorders of attention, memory, language, emotion, and problem solving.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to NEUR, CHSC, HLSC and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits and 1.0 PSYC credit above PSYC 1F90.
Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

NEUR 4F90
Honours Thesis
Each student will undertake a limited research project under faculty supervision.
Restriction: open to NEUR majors with approval to year 4 (honours).
Note: to be taken in conjunction with NEUR 4F91. Submission and oral defence of thesis is required.

NEUR 4F91
Literature Research and Seminar
Each student will undertake a detailed study of the scientific literature relevant to the topic of the honours thesis.
Restriction: open to NEUR majors with approval to year 4 (honours).
Note: to be taken in conjunction with NEUR 4F90. The review will be included in the thesis and will be presented as a seminar.

NEUR 4F92
Library Research Essays
Each student will be required to carry out two detailed studies of the scientific literature under faculty supervision.
Restriction: open to NEUR majors with approval to year 4 (honours).
Note: for students not registered for NEUR 4F90 and 4F91. The results of the studies will be presented in major essays and presented as formal seminars. One research topic is to be completed each term.

NEUR 4V86-4V88
Special Topics in Comparative Psychology, Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
(also offered as PSYC 4V86-4V88)
Structure and content of course varies.
3 hours per week.
Restriction: open to NEUR and PSYC (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours).
Note: a description of upcoming course offering(s) will be posted by April in the Department and in the Psychology Major's Manual.


CO-OP COURSES
NEUR 0N01
Work Placement I
First Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to NEUR Co-op students.

NEUR 0N02
Work Placement II
Second Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to NEUR Co-op students.

NEUR 0N03
Work Placement III
Third Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to NEUR Co-op students.

NEUR 0N04
Work Placement IV
Optional Co-op work placement (4months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to NEUR Co-op students.

NEUR 0N05
Work Placement V
Optional Co-op placement (4 months) with an approved employer.
Restriction: open to NEUR Co-op students.