Neuroscience

L-200 Sterling Hall of Medicine, 785.5932
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Directors of Graduate Studies
Haig Keshishian (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology) (KBT 640, 432.3478, haig.keshishian@yale.edu)
Charles Greer (Neurosurgery; Neurobiology) (LSOG 221, 785.4034, charles.greer@yale.edu)

Professors
George Aghajanian (Psychiatry; Pharmacology), Colin Barnstable (Ophthalmology & Visual Science; Neurobiology), Linda Bartoshuk (Surgery; Epidemiology; Psychology), Walter Boron (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Thomas Brown (Psychology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Benjamin Bunney (Psychiatry; Pharmacology), John Carlson (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), Lawrence Cohen (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Nigel Daw (Ophthalmology & Visual Science; Neurobiology), Pietro De Camilli (Cell Biology), Ronald Duman (Psychiatry; Pharmacology), Barbara Ehrlich (Pharmacology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Patricia Goldman-Rakic (Neurobiology; Psychology), Timothy Goldsmith (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), John Gore (Diagnostic Radiology; Applied Physics), Charles Greer (Neurosurgery, Neurobiology), Gabriel Haddad (Pediatrics; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Susan Hockfield (Neurobiology), Marcia Johnson (Psychology), Leonard Kaczmarek (Pharmacology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Douglas Kankel (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), Kenneth Kidd (Genetics; Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology; Psychiatry), Jeffery Kocsis (Neurology; Neurobiology), Robert LaMotte (Anesthesiology; Neurobiology), Thomas Lentz (Cell Biology), Laura Manuelidis (Neuropathology), David McCormick (Neurobiology), Edward Moczydlowski (Pharmacology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Mark Mooseker (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology; Cell Biology), Frederick Naftolin (Obstetrics & Gynecology; Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), Angus Nairn (Psychiatry), Pasko Rakic (Neurobiology), J. Murdoch Ritchie (Pharmacology), Robert Roth (Psychiatry; Pharmacology), Gary Rudnick (Pharmacology), Joseph Santos-Sacchi (Surgery; Neurobiology), Ilsa Schwartz (Surgery; Neurobiology), Steven Segal (Epidemiology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Gordon Shepherd (Neurobiology), Frederick Sigworth (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Allan Wagner (Psychology), Stephen Waxman (Neurology; Pharmacology), Robert Wyman (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), Steven Zucker (Computer Science)

Associate Professors
Meenakshi Alreja (Psychiatry; Neurobiology), Amy Arnsten (Neurobiology), Catherine Berlot (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Charles Bruce (Neurobiology), Nihal de Lanerolle (Neurosurgery; Neurobiology), Paul Forscher (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), James Howe (Pharmacology), Thomas Hughes (Ophthalmology & Visual Science; Neurobiology), Robert Kalb (Neurology; Pharmacology), Bita Moghaddam (Psychiatry; Neurobiology), Marina Picciotto (Psychiatry; Pharmacology; Neurobiology), George Richerson (Neurology; Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Michael Schwartz (Neurobiology), Stephen Strittmatter (Neurology; Neurobiology), Flora Vaccarino (Child Study Center; Neurobiology),Tian Xu (Genetics)

Assistant Professors
Hal Blumenfeld (Neurology; Neurobiology), Angélique Bordey (Neurobiology), Wei Chen (Neurobiology), R. Todd Constable (Diagnostic Radiology; Neurosurgery), Maria Donoghue Velleca (Neurobiology), Reiko Maki Fitzsimonds (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Karyn Frick (Psychology), Lise Heginbotham (Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry), Jeansok Kim (Psychology), Anthony Koleske (Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry), Gerard Marek (Psychiatry), Christy Marshuetz (Psychology), Mark Packard (Psychology), Vincent Pieribone (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Maria Mercedes Pių±ango (Linguistics), Anna Roe (Neurobiology), Ning Tian (Opthamology & Visual Science), David Wells (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology), Michael Westerveld (Neurosurgery), Mark Yeckel (Neurobiology), Weimin Zhong (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology)

Research Scientists
Joel Black (Neurology), Nicholas Carnevale (Psychology)

Fields of Study
The Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program offers flexible but structured interdisciplinary training for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. The goal of the program is to ensure that degree candidates obtain a solid understanding of cellular and molecular neurobiology, physiology and biophysics, neural development, systems and behavior, and neural computation. In addition to course work, graduate students participate in a regular journal club, organize the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Seminar Series, and attend other seminar programs, named lectureships, symposia, and an annual research retreat.

Special Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Neuroscience Program should have a B.S. or B.A. Most applicants have had course work in neuroscience, psychobiology, physiological psychology, mathematics through calculus, general physics, general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, or engineering. Deficiencies in these areas can be corrected through appropriate course work in the first year of residence. Laboratory research experience is desirable but is not a formal requirement. Scores for the GRE (General Test required; Subject Test recommended) or MCAT, three letters of recommendation, transcripts of undergraduate grades, and a statement of interest must accompany the application.

To enter the Ph.D. program, students apply to an interest-based track within the interdepartmental graduate program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Each entering student is assigned a faculty advisory committee to provide guidance relevant to the student's stated field of interest. This committee is responsible for establishing the student's course of study and for monitoring his or her progress. This committee will be subsequently modified to include faculty with expertise in the student's emerging area of interest. Although each student's precise course requirements are set individually to take account of background and educational goals, the course of study is based upon a model curriculum beginning with three core courses designed to ensure broad competence in modern neuroscience. Students are also required to complete at least three additional courses from a broad set of neuroscience-related courses. A series of at least two laboratory rotations during the first two years of the program also ensures that degree candidates obtain a solid background in systems, cellular, and molecular approaches to neuroscience. The Graduate School requires two term grades of Honors during the first two years of study. Admission to candidacy requires passing a qualifying examination normally given at the end of the second year, and submission of a dissertation prospectus prior to the start of the fourth year.

In accordance with the expectations of the BBS program, Ph.D. students are expected to participate in two terms (or the equivalent) of teaching.

Master's Degrees
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements.

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, Neuroscience, Yale University, PO Box 208074, New Haven CT 06520-8074.

Courses
NSCI 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 is on how approaches at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and organismal levels can lead to understanding of neuronal and brain function. Also NBIO 501a.

[NSCI 502b, Cell Biology of the Nerve Cell.]

[NSCI 503b, Molecular Neurobiology.]

NSCI 504b, Seminar in Brain Development and Plasticity. Weimin Zhong. Mon/Wed 2.30-3.45
Weekly seminars (Monday) and discussion sessions (Wednesday) to explore recent advances in our understanding of brain development and plasticity, including neuronal determination, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and developmental plasticity. Also MCDB 735b.

[NSCI 505b, Sensory Systems.]

NSCI 506b, Introduction to Brain and Behavior. Jeansok Kim. Tuesday 4-6
Introduction to basic principles of brain function, including fundamentals of synaptic transmission, organization of the CNS, sensory and motor integration, and higher processes such as the neurobiology of language, learning, and memory. Also PSYC 506b.

NSCI 507b, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Disease. Stephen Strittmatter, Stephen Waxman. Mon/Wed 4-5.30
Focuses on those diseases in which modern neuroscience has advanced mechanistic explanations for clinical conditions. The application of pathophysiologic understanding to therapeutics is considered. Also NBIO 507b.

[NSCI 508a, Functional Properties of Cortical Neurons and Circuits.]

[NSCI 509, Neuroimmunology: Neural and Immune Cell Adhesion Molecules.]

NSCI 510b, Structural and Functional Organization of the Human Nervous System. Michael Schwartz, Pasko Rakic.
An integrative overview of the structure and function of the human brain pertaining to major neurological and psychiatric disorders. Also NBIO 500b.

[NSCI 511b, Neurobiology of Drug Addiction.]

[NSCI 512a, Genes and Behavior.]

NSCI 514a, The Regulation of Cell Fate during CNS Development. Flora Vaccarino. Tues/Thurs 9-10.30
An overview of the mechanisms that regulate cell fate during the development of the central nervous system, mainly intended for graduate students. We focus on the progressive specialization of cellular function beginning with the establishment of CNS polarity, the acquisition of regional identity, and the determination of the fate of individual neural cells within the CNS. The interactions between evolutionary conserved genetic and intercellular signaling systems are discussed. Also NBIO 524a.

NSCI 519a/b, Tutorial.
By arrangement with faculty and approval of the director of graduate studies.

NSCI 529b, Introduction to Computational Neuroscience. Nicholas Carnevale.
This is an introduction to the use of empirically based modeling as a means for understanding the functional consequences of the anatomical, biophysical, and pharmacological properties of neurons and neural circuits involved in perception, motor control, and learning. Students construct and use models for homework assignments and targeted investigations of current research topics. In addition, each graduate student is expected to identify a research question of particular interest and develop a model that addresses it. Designed for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Also PSYC 677bu.

NSCI 530b, Neurobiology of Schizophrenia. Bita Moghaddam.
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.

NSCI 539b, Synaptic Organization of the Nervous System. Gordon Shepherd, Anne Williamson, Michael Hines. Monday 10-12
An integrative introduction to the principles underlying the organization of neural systems. The focus is on the best-understood systems, including spinal cord, olfactory bulb, retina, cerebellum, thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex. Students integrate experimental findings from anatomy, electrophysiology, and neuropharmacology with computational models at the cellular and circuit level. Also NBIO 509b.

NSCI 540a, Introduction to Statistics in Psychology. Thomas Brown, Joseph Chang.
This introductory statistics course is designed for psychology or neuroscience students. It covers descriptive statistics; probability; correlation; linear regression; the t-test; one- and two-way analysis of variance; non-parametric statistics; and power, effect size, and confidence intervals. A user-friendly statistics package allows greater emphasis on concepts, principles, and applications versus computation. Also STAT 504au.

NSCI 600a, Experimental Methods in Neuroscience. R. Todd Constable.
This course examines the experimental techniques currently available for the neuroscientist. It explores the kinds of information obtainable in studying phenomena ranging from electrophysiological recordings of individual neurons to metabolic processes, from ensembles of neurons to behavioral output. Techniques covered include microscopic methods (light, electron), electrophysiology (extracellular/intracellular single cell recordings, multiple cell recording methods, brain slices), macroscopic methods (ERP, MEG, TMR), metabolic measures (microdialisis, biosensors, MR spectroscopy), imaging approaches (optical tomography, PET, SPECT, functional MRI), and interventional techniques (lesions, cortical stimulation, knockout genetics, surgery, drugs). The knowledge gained from each of these approaches, the limitations of the methods, and future developments are considered.

[NSCI 610b, Neurophysiology: Theory and Practice.]

[NSCI 611b, Neurophysiology.]

[NSCI 614a, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.]

[NSCI 634b, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology.]

[NSCI 645a, Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience.]

[NSCI 646a, Cellular Analysis of Learning I. Invertebrate Systems.]

[NSCI 647b, Cellular Analysis of Learning: In Vitro.]

[NSCI 648b, Cellular Analysis of Learning: Vertebrate Model Systems.]

[NSCI 666b, From Neurons to Behavior.]

[NSCI 674b, Psychopharmacology.]

NSCI 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, NBIO 720a.

The following course is also of particular value to students in Neuroscience:

MCDB 721Lau, Laboratory for Neurobiology. Haig Keshishian, Robert Wyman.

Next: Pharmacology