Undergraduate Neuroscience Courses

Undergraduate Neuroscience courses are taught by Neurobiology faculty through the Undergraduate Biology major, which offers a BS degree in Biology with a specialization in Neuroscience. All student advising for this major is handled by Undergraduate Biology advisors and staff . Students should consult the Undergraduate Bulletin for more complete descriptions of Biology programs and courses.

List of Courses
BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
BIO 208 Cells, Minds, Brains
BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling
BIO 320 General Genetics
BIO 328  Mammalian Physiology
BIO 332 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems
BIO 334  Principles of Neurobiology
BIO 335 Neurobiology Lab
BIO 337 Neurotransmission & Neuromodulation: Implications for Brain Function
BIO 339 Neurobiology of Disease
BIO 347 Introduction to Neural Computation

Course Descriptions
BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
The fundamentals of cell and organ physiology in mammalian and non-mammalian organisms. The structure and function of cell membranes and the physiology of cell to cell signaling, cellular respiration, and homeostasis of organs and organisms are examined with an emphasis on the comparative physiology of vertebrates and invertebrates. This course has been designated as a High Demand/Controlled Access (HD/CA) course. Students registering for HD/CA courses for the first time will have priority to do so.
Prerequisite: C or higher in CHE 129 or CHE 131 or Corequisite CHE 152
Pre- or Corequisite: MAT 125 or higher or AMS 151 or higher
DEC:  E
SBC:  STEM+
3 credits

BIO 208 Cells, Brains, Minds
An interdisciplinary exploration and critique of neuroscience. The course will present biological, anthropological and philosophical perspectives on how nervous systems work and how brains evolve, develop and give rise to human and other minds. Not for Biology major credit.
Advisory Prerequisite: High school chemistry
DEC:     H
SBC:    STAS
3 credits

BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling
Basic principles of cellular signaling and maintenance of cellular and organismic homeostasis through intra- and intercellular signaling mechanisms. The roles of membrane and nuclear receptors, second-messenger pathways and gene regulation in controlling diverse mammalian systems such as sensory physiology, organic metabolism, growth control, and neuronal development are discussed.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 202
Advisory Prerequisite: BIO 203
3 credits

BIO 320 General Genetics
Integrates classical and molecular approaches to the transmission and expression of biological information. Topics include: Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance; linkage analysis; population genetics; DNA replication, mutation and recombination; gene expression and its regulation; current genetic technology; developmental and cancer genetics, quantitative and complex traits, and relevant ethical issues. Cannot be taken for major credit with BIO 321 (applies to Biology majors Only). This course routinely offers an opportunity to satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum WRTD and Upper Division Writing Requirements for the Biology and Biochemistry majors. Students who intend to use the writing assignment in this course to satisfy these requirements must register for BIO 459 when they register for BIO 320.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 202; and C or higher in MAT 125 or AMS 151, or completion of MAT 126 or higher, or MPE score of 6+
3 credits

BIO 332 Computational Modeling of Physiological Systems
Introduces students to the fundamental principles underlying computational modeling of complex physiological systems. A major focus of the course will be on the process by which a model of a biological system is developed. Students will be introduced to the mathematical methods required for the modeling of complex systems (including stochastic processes and both temporal and spatial dynamics) as well as to tools for computational simulation. Roughly one half of the class will focus on models for general cellular physiology, while the remaining half will focus on the development of higher-level models of a particular physiological system (for example, the neurobiological systems underlying learning). This course is offered as both AMS 332 and BIO 332 and is intended for STEM majors who have already completed the foundational courses in their major. Students who satisfy the pre-requisites but do not have a deeper background in some STEM field may find the class very challenging and should ask the instructor for guidance before registering.
Prerequisite: MAT 127 or MAT 132 or AMS 161 or MPE level 9 and any one of the following: BIO 202 or BIO 203 or CHE 132 or CHE 331 or PHY 127 or PHY 132
3 credits

BIO 334 Principles of Neurobiology
The ionic basis of nerve potentials, the physiology of synapses, sense organs and effectors, and the integrative action of the nervous system are discussed.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 203
3 credits

BIO 335 Neurobiology Laboratory
A laboratory course in physiology with a focus on neuromuscular function. Topics include acquisition and analysis of electrophysiological data; ion channels, electrical excitability and action potentials; synaptic transmission and muscular contraction; development of physiological functions; central control of movement; sensory function and behavior; cardiac function and regulation; and ethical and political issues of physiological relevance. This course routinely offers an opportunity to satisfy the Stony Brook Curriculum WRTD and Upper Division Writing Requirements for the Biology and Biochemistry majors. Students who intend to use the writing assignment in this course to satisfy these requirements must register for BIO 459 when they register for BIO 335. This course has an associated fee. Please see www.stonybrook.edu/coursefees for more information.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 203; and C or higher in BIO 205 or 207; and C or higher in
PHY 122 or PHY 127 or PHY 132
SBC:  ESI
3 credits

BIO 337 Neurotransmission & Neuromodulation: Implications for Brain Function
Exploration of fundamental concepts of neurotransmission and neuromodulation of synaptic transmission. The subject matter includes an overview of the basic principles of neurotransmission and of the neuromodulatory systems in the brain. The involvement of these systems in behavior and neurological disorders is emphasized. We will discuss how specific neurological disorders can be investigated experimentally and how experimental results can contribute to understanding and treating these disorders.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 203
3 credits

BIO 339 Neurobiology of Disease
An introduction to the molecular events that underlie the normal function of the nervous system, with a focus on the origins of neuronal diseases including neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. autism, intellectual disability), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) and neuro-immune disorders (e.g. Multiple sclerosis). Molecular and genetic approaches for the study of these disorders as well as therapeutic approaches and ethical aspects are discussed.
Prerequisite: C or higher in BIO 202 or C or higher in BIO 203
3 credits

BIO 347 Introduction to Neural Computation
A broad introduction to neural computation. This course will discuss what counts as 'computation' and in what sense the brain computes, how it computes, and whether those computations look anything like those performed by digital computers. These ideas and concepts will be introduced through examples of computation in the brain, including the neural bases of sensory perception, decision making, learning and memory, and motor control. Students will learn through in-class demonstrations and activities, as well as homework assignments that give students the opportunity to analyze real neural recordings relevant to each of the topic modules.
Prerequisite: MAT 126, MAT 132, AMS 161, or higher; and BIO 211, or AMS 110, or AMS 310; and any one of BIO 202, BIO 203, CHE 132, CHE 331, PHY 127 or PHY 132. It is recommended that students take MAT 127.
SBC:  STEM+
3 credits