Welcome!

NEU 300 Neurobiology Fall 2024

NEU 300 will allow you to explore how the mammalian nervous system functions. In order to provide insight into experiences like vision, taste, stress, fear, learning, and social bonding, the course will begin by examining basic properties of the cells that make up your nervous system and build to analyzing research data and drawing big picture conclusions about nervous system function.

The National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education, a recent document outlining a research-based approach toward facilitating a coherent, in-depth understanding of the sciences, outlined scientific practices that a science education should teach. This class focuses on the following science practices: 

  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Constructing explanations
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
  • Engaging in argument from evidence

Additionally, the National Association of Colleges and Employers determined a few of the top skills employers look for in college graduates are

  • Problem solving skills
  • Teamworking skills
  • Communication skills

In this course, you will work to practice and improve these skills so that you can be confident and capable in your critical thinking abilities as you move forward in your education and future careers. Content knowledge is important and necessary, but these skills are essential for a successful scientific career, whether in health care, academia, government, or industry.

We achieve these practices and skills through the following course objectives.

At the end of the course, NEU 300 students will be able to

  • Use the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning framework to draw conclusions from primary literature graphs
  • Predict results of experiments and manipulations based on neuroscience concepts and content presented in the course
  • Communicate science accurately in small group discussions
  • Practice being a strong, reliable team member
  • Evaluate self-learning via metacognitive reflections