Biological Bases of Behavior Laboratory

4 Credits

Students will study some of the key concepts in neuroscience by combining behavioral experiments with electrode recordings from neurons controlling the behaviors. We will intensively examine concepts like creation of rhythmic behaviors (walking, flight), neurotransmitters' control of aggression, drug effects on synaptic activity, high-speed neural circuits for effective escape from predators, and CNS maps in the visual system for directing prey capture. Students will learn microsurgery and a broad range of neural recording techniques. We work with animals (invertebrates, cold-blooded vertebrates) every week. A strong biology background will be beneficial.