The Brain Behind Behavior

3 Credits

How brain mechanisms enable behavior is a central theme of neuroscience. This course gives a broad overview of the structure and function of major neural circuits (networks of interconnected nerve cells that work together to process and transmit information) that underlie various behaviors. We will start with gross neuroanatomy, followed by sensory and motor systems, innate behaviors (eat, drink, sleep, etc.) and cognitive behaviors (learning, memory, decision- making, language, etc.), and finally discuss consciousness and brain evolution. Prerequisites: BIOS 276