Neurobiology

C300 Sterling Hall of Medicine, 785.4323
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Chair
Pasko Rakic

Director of Graduate Studies
Amy Arnsten (SHM B428, 785.4431, amy.arnsten@yale.edu)

Director of Medical Studies
Michael Schwartz (SHM C314, 785.4324, michael.schwartz@yale.edu)

Professors
Colin Barnstable, Benjamin Bunney, Nigel Daw, Patricia Goldman-Rakic, Charles Greer, Susan Hockfield, Jeffery Kocsis, Robert LaMotte, Csaba Leranth, David McCormick, Pasko Rakic, Joseph Santos-Sacchi, Ilsa Schwartz, Gordon Shepherd, Stephen Waxman

Associate Professors
Meenakshi Alreja, Amy Arnsten, Charles Bruce, Nihal de Lanerolle, Tamas Horvath, Thomas Hughes, Bita Moghaddam, Marina Picciotto, Michael Schwartz, Stephen Strittmatter

Assistant Professors
Wei Chen, Maria Donoghue Velleca, Reiko Maki Fitzsimonds, Vincent Pieribone, Anna Roe, Ning Tian, Flora Vaccarino, Mark Yeckel

Fields of Study
Fields include the development, neuronal organization, and function of the mammalian central nervous system. The range of methods includes molecular and cellular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, receptor biochemistry, neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, and behavior. An integrative, multidisciplinary approach is encouraged.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D.
Four terms of course work, selected in consultation with faculty advisers, are required. Neurobiology 500b and an advanced course in cell biology are required. It is expected that the student maintain a better than passing record in the area of concentration. The Graduate School requires two term grades of Honors during the first two years of study. The qualifying examination is given at the end of the second year of study. The remaining degree requirements include the submission of a prospectus, after which a student may be admitted to candidacy; research under the supervision of the adviser; and the submission of the dissertation. There is no formal foreign language requirement.

An important aspect of graduate training in neurobiology is the acquisition of teaching skills through participation in courses appropriate for the student's scientific interests. These opportunities can be drawn from a diverse menu of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses given at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school level. Ph.D. students are expected to participate in two terms (or the equivalent) of teaching. Students are not expected to teach during their first year.

To enter the Ph.D. program, students apply to the Neuroscience track within the Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Master's Degrees
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements. Awarded only to students who are continuing for the Ph.D. degree. Students are not admitted for this degree.

M.S. Awarded only to students who are not continuing for the Ph.D. degree but who have successfully completed one year of the doctoral program. Students are not admitted for this degree.

Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Neurobiology, Yale University, PO Box 208001, New Haven CT 06520-8001.

Courses
NBIO 500b, Structural and Functional Organization of the Human Nervous System. Pasko Rakic, Michael Schwartz, and staff.
An integrative overview of the structure and function of the human brain as it pertains to major neurological and psychiatric disorders. Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical correlations are interrelated to provide essential background in the neurosciences. Lectures in neurocytology and neuroanatomy survey neuronal organization in the human brain, with emphasis on long fiber tracts related to clinical neurology. Weekly three-hour laboratory sessions devoted to neuroanatomy in which students dissect the human brain and examine histological sections in close collaboration with faculty members. Lectures in neurophysiology cover various aspects of neural function at the cellular level, with a strong emphasis on the mammalian nervous system. Each student may participate in a weekly physiology conference with a faculty member, covering such topics as vision, sensory physiology, motor systems, simple nervous systems, or general neurophysiology. Clinical correlations consist of eight sessions given by one or two faculty members representing both basic and clinical sciences. These sessions relate neurological symptoms to cellular processes in various diseases of the brain. Variable class schedule; contact course instructor. Also NSCI 510b.

NBIO 501a, Principles of Neuroscience. Marina Picciotto, Reiko Fitzsimonds. Wed/Fri 3.15-4.45
General neuroscience seminar: lectures, readings, and discussion of selected topics in neuroscience. Emphasis will be on how approaches at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and organismal levels can lead to understanding of neuronal and brain function. Also NSCI 501a.

NBIO 502a, Structure and Function of Neocortex. Patricia Goldman-Rakic and faculty.
This seminar/lecture course covers anatomical, biochemical, and physiological organization of selected sensory, motor, and association regions of cortex. Sample topics discussed include development, evolution of multiple representations, columnar organization, and plasticity of neocortex. Permission of instructor required.

NBIO 507b, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neurologic Disease. Stephen Strittmatter, Stephen Waxman. Mon/Wed 4-5.30
Molecular and cellular neuroscience has recently developed many novel and powerful techniques for understanding nervous system function. The course focuses on how these basic science advances have been translated into breakthroughs in clinical neurology. Lectures illustrate the connection of modern laboratory studies to our understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms, to the development of diagnostic tests, and to the use of novel modalities. Also NSCI 507b.

NBIO 509b, Synaptic Organization of the Nervous System. Gordon Shepherd, Anne Williamson, Michael Hines.
Introduction to principles of neural circuit organization at the cellular level (morphology, physiology, and pharmacology). Emphasis is on mammalian systems and comparisons with lower vertebrates and invertebrates. Permission of instructor required. Also NSCI 539b.

NBIO 510, Introduction to Methods in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. Faculty.
Firsthand insight into various techniques and approaches used in neuroscience. Light microscopic techniques include various metallic impregnation methods, autoradiography, anterograde and retrograde axonal transport methods, hybridoma and recombined DNA technology, deoxyglucose metabolic method, fluorescent and immunocytochemical methods. Electron microscopy encompasses transmission, electronmicroscopic autoradiography, and immuno-peroxidase methodology. Choice of techniques and hours to be arranged with individual faculty or staff members of the section of Neurobiology.

NBIO 511, Introduction to Techniques Used in Electrophysiological Analysis at the Cellular Level. Faculty.
Includes practical training in in vivo and in vitro nervous system preparations, extracellular and intracellular recordings, sensory stimulation, dye injections, and selected neuropharmacological procedures. Choice of techniques and hours to be arranged with individual faculty or staff members of the section of Neurobiology.

NBIO 520a, Vision: Cellular and Network Dynamics of the Cerebral Cortex. Anna Roe and faculty.
This class explores the mechanisms of cerebral cortical function through the eyes of the visual cortex. The course covers the cellular and synaptic properties of cortical neurons and circuits and the theoretical and experimental mechanism by which cortical neurons analyze the visual scene, including higher-order visual processes such as the analysis of color, contours, depth, motion, and mechanisms of attention and visual memory.

NBIO 524a, The Regulation of Cell Fate during CNS Development. Flora Vaccarino. Tues/Thurs 9-10.30
This course is intended to discuss the general mechanisms that regulate cell fate during the development of the central nervous system. It focuses on the progressive specialization of cellular function beginning with the establishment of CNS polary, the acquisition of regional identity, and the determination of the fate of neural cells within the CNS. The interactions between evolutionary conserved genes and intercellular signaling systems are emphasized. The course meets twice a week for one hour each time. Each week covers one topic as detailed in the syllabus. On Wednesday, general concepts are reviewed in a seminar format, led by the course director, faculty participants, or invited speakers. On Fridays, one or two papers presented by students are discussed in detail. All class members are invited to participate in the paper presentation and discussion. Also NSCI 514a.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating disorder of thought and affect with unknown etiology. In this course, research findings from basic and clinical venues are discussed to provide an overview of the current state of our knowledge about the pathophysiology of this disease and treatment strategies. The course consists of didactic lectures and student-led discussion of key research papers that focus on morphological, developmental, and genetic abnormalities that are suspected to occur in schizophrenia, as well as the utility of various animal models for improving clinical treatment. Also NSCI 530b.

NBIO 601, Topics in Olfactory Physiology. Gordon Shepherd.
Advanced seminar course.

NBIO 610b, Fundamentals in Neurophysiology. Vincent Pieribone, Fred Sigworth.
This course is designed for students who wish to gain a theoretical and practical knowledge of modern neurophysiology. Graduate students specializing in neurophysiology and non-neurophysiology are encouraged to attend, as the course begins at a very basic level and progresses to more complicated topics. Topics include properties of ion channels, firing properties of neurons, synaptic transmission, and neurophysiology methodology.

NBIO 720a, Neurobiology. Haig Keshishian, Paul Forscher.
Examination of the excitability of the nerve cell membrane provides a starting point for the study of molecular, cellular, and intracellular mechanisms underlying the generation and control of behavior. Also MCDB 720au, NSCI 720a.

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