Behavioral Neuroscience

Current research on the neural basis of behavior is organized in six  subsections: animal communication, sex behavior, circadian rhythms, energy and water balance, synaptic plasticity and learning, and addiction. Topics are selected based on excitement surrounding recent research developments. Each topic is analyzed initially at the behavioral level, followed by the systems and the cell and molecular levels. Throughout the course, attention is paid to the analysis interesting stereotyped behaviors, e.g., bird song, lordosis, licking, whose description and neurology has provided insights into the neural systems that contribute to overall neural control of behavior. Attention is also paid to the development of understanding of the neuroanatomy of selected neural systems.  This is a "Brain"sector course.