Course Philosophy
This is a course about how we study the nervous system. You'll be asked to think, plan, and write like a neuroscientist.
You may be surprised about some of the topics in this course. You'll spend a lot of time learning about nervous systems, but we'll also spend some time talking about experimental design, technology, ethics, and analyzing big data sets. It'll help to come in with an open mind.
This course is for everyone
Neuroscience is a diverse discipline, with folks from many different academic and personal backgrounds. We’ll be working together to create an equitable and inclusive environment of mutual respect, in which we all feel comfortable to share our moments of confusion, ask questions, and challenge our understanding. Everyone should be able to succeed in this course. If you do not feel that is the case please let me know.
Class attendance
BIPN 145 is a laboratory course -- almost every session will require hands-on experimentation and data collection. If you will be missing many class meetings, it will be tough to succeed in this course.
Course prerequisites
BIPN 145 requires BILD 2, BILD 4, MATH 11, and BIPN 140, but I recognize that you may not have been able to take these courses for some reason. Note that this course will be difficult without any previous biology laboratory courses or math courses. If you submit an EASy exception for this course, I will evaluate whether your previous courses provided you with some biology lab experience or applicable math/statistics experience.
Recommendation letters for this course
If you complete this course, you may request a letter of recommendation by emailing your instructor.