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), Cheryl McCormick (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

Linda Di Raddo

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 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).

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

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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	BCHM 3P01
	one credit from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P51, 3P60
	one elective credit

Year 4

Thesis option

	NEUR 3P67, 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 3P67 and 4F92
	one and one-half credits from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84 (see program note 3)
	one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
	one elective credit (see program note 3)

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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	BCHM 3P01
	PEKN 3P10, 3P94 and 4P10
	one-half elective credit

Year 4

Thesis option

	NEUR 3P67, 4F90 and 4F91
	PEKN 4P94 and 4P98
	one of BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
	one elective credit

Library Research option

	NEUR 3P67 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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	BCHM 3P01
	PSYC 3F40 or 3P30 (see program note 2)
	one of LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P29, 4P56
	one elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 4

Thesis option

	NEUR 3P67 4F90 and 4F91
	PSYC 3P39
	one credit from LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, 4P20, 4P21, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P21, 4P22, 4P29, 4P56, 4V86, 4V87, 4V88 (see program note 3)
	one elective credit (see program note 3)

Library Research option

Neuroscience Co-op Program (Honours only)

Students admitted to the Biotechnology Co-op program must follow an approved program pattern. The most common pattern is listed below. For other approved patterns, consult the Co-op Office.

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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	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 3P67 4F90 and 4F91 (see program note 1)
	one of BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P35, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, 4P28, 4P34, 4P53, 4P84 (see program note 3)
	one credit from BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
	one elective credit

Library Research option

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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	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 3P67, 4F90 and 4F91
	PEKN 4P94 and 4P98
	one of BIOL 4P28, 4P34, 4P84
	one elective credit

Library Research option

	NEUR 3P67 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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	BCHM 3P01
	PSYC 3F40 or 3P30 (see program note 2)
	one of LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P29, 4P56 (see program note 3)
	one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 3)

Year 4

Fall Term:

NEUR 0N02

Winter Term:

NEUR 0N03

Year 5

Thesis option

	NEUR 3P67, 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, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P21, 4P22, 4P29, 4P56 (see program note 3)
	one elective credit (see program note 3)

Library Research option

BSc with 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 3F81, 3P34, 3P59 and 3P90
	BCHM 3P01
	one credit from BCHM 3P02, BIOL 2P92, 2P97, 3P28, 3P50, 3P51, 3P60, LING 2P97, 3P98, 3P99, PSYC 2F12, 2F20, 2F50, 3F46, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P29, 4P56 (see program note 3)
	one elective credit

Year 4

	NEUR 3P67
	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, 3P19, 3P68, 3P92, 4P21, 4P22, 4P29, 4P56 4V86, 4V87, 4V88 (see program note 3)
	one elective credit (see program note 3)

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) until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite: PSYC 1F90.

Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in Registration guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

#NEUR 3F81

Neuroscience

(also offered as PSYC 3F81)

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 Registration 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 Registration guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in NEUR (PSYC) 3F91.

#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 3P59

Introduction to Human Neuropsychology

(also offered as PSYC 3P59)

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, LING and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration 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 Registration guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in NEUR (PSYC) 3P98.

#NEUR 3P67

Bases of Neuropsychopharmacology

(also offered as PSYC 3P67)

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 Registration 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 Registration guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in NEUR (PSYC) 3P97.

#NEUR 3P90

Investigative Neurobiology

(also offered as BIOL 3P90)

Methods used in neurobiology and neurophysiology. Electro-physiological techniques, including intracellular and extracellular 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 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.

#NEUR 4V86

Selected Topics in Sleep Research

(also offered as PSYC 4V86)

Topics may include sleep need, sleep deprivation, and the role of sleep in learning and memory.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to PSYC (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours).

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.