Pioneers of the Brain The field of neuroscience emerged from the collective efforts of anatomists, physiologists, chemists, and psychologists all striving to understand the immense complexity of the nervous system. In this course we will investigate a selection of pioneering researchers in the history of neuroscience, focusing especially from the mid-19th century to the present day. Utilizing a historical framework, we will examine their hypotheses, methodologies, conclusions, and how their work was received (or derided) by contemporaries. Topics will range from molecular mechanisms of neuronal function to animal behavior. BIOL 0145 or PSYC 0105; open to non-seniors only, others by approval)

Emotions Emotions inform thoughtful decisions, but also prompt knee-jerk reactions that make us appear irrational at times.  They inspire and dissuade us at both conscious and unconscious levels.  They evolved to trigger self-protective responses, but their dark side fuels self-destructive behaviors as well.  In this course we will discuss what emotions are, where they come from, how individual emotions differ, and whether or not everyone experiences emotions the same way.  We will also explore how appreciating the complexities of emotions might improve emotion regulation and interpersonal dynamics.  Topics to be considered will include biological, socio-cultural, clinical, and cognitive theories of emotion.

Brain Plasticity Starting in early development and continuing throughout your lifespan, your experiences will restructure your brain and thereby change who you are!  We will explore the foundations of brain plasticity through the investigation of brain development, memory and memory systems, and the neurobiology of memory.  Our understanding of brain plasticity will be applied to better understand how plasticity can be harnessed to improve cognition and alleviate a variety of brain disorders.  Our exploration will be informed by authors, and artists portrayals of memory, scientific literature, and clinical case studies.

Neuroeconomics Neuroscience, when combined with economics and psychology, creates new models that help us understand how we make decisions. Our goal is to begin exploring the biological factors that lead to behavioral economic phenomena and answer important questions like: What makes us cooperate even with strangers? Why do we buy lottery tickets knowing we almost certainly will lose our money? In this course, we will examine the neural basis of strategic choice, trust and competition, motivations, neurorepresentations of reward and value, and evolution of irrational economic behavior. Major concepts will be presented with examples from human brain-imaging studies (fMRI, EEG) and animal behavioral models. (BIOL0145 or PSYC0105 or CHEM0103 or equivalent)

Cognitive Psychology Questions about the nature of the mind, thinking, and knowledge have a long and rich history in the field of psychology. This course will examine the theoretical perspectives and empirically documented phenomena that inform our current understanding of cognition. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and experiments will form the basis for our explorations of cognition in this class. Topics to be considered include attention, perception, memory, knowledge, problem solving, and decision making.

The Mighty Mitochondria What are mitochondria and why are they so important to our understanding of many neurological diseases? In this course, we will explore what mitochondria are and their role in different cells and specifically in the cells of the brain. Mitochondria are thought to be the cell’s powerhouse, but they are not found in all cells. Furthermore, their dysregulation, either through genetic mutations or environmental factors, leads to profound consequences for human health. Topics to be covered are the structure and function of mitochondria, cell death, oxidative stress, aging, neurological diseases, and rare genetic diseases. (BIOL 0145; not open to first-year students; open to neuroscience majors and biology majors; others by waiver). 3hrs lecture.

Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Neurons are the building blocks of complex circuits that underlie perception and behavior. In this course we will examine the molecular and cellular basis of neuron structure and function. The topics include the molecular and cellular basis of action potential propagation, the molecular biology of synaptic transmission, the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, and the molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction. Laboratory exercises will train students in commonly used neurobiology techniques and engage students in novel investigations. (BIOL 0145 (Note: AP credit in biology cannot be used to satisfy this requirement) Open to neuroscience majors, non-majors and seniors by waiver).

Fundamentals of Behavioral Neuroscience Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that combines approaches and knowledge from psychology, biology, and chemistry to further our understanding of human and non-human animal behavior.   In this course, you will study the interrelationships among elements of the nervous systems, co-functioning bodily systems, and behavioral output such as emotions, sex, memory, consciousness, sleep, and language.  You will be given an opportunity to  apply your knowledge from NSCI 0251 of the nervous system at the micro and macro levels and will revisit the basic concepts of behavioral genetics and psychopharmacology.  This cumulative knowledge base will serve as your foundation for advanced study of neural systems and their relative roles in progressively more complex behaviors such as basic reflexes, motivation, rational thought, neural disorders, and therapeutic efficacy.

Sensation and Perception Remarkably, using just five basic senses, our brains translate simple external stimuli (e.g. light and sound waves) into unique and vivid perceptual experiences enabling us to interact with our surrounding physical reality.  Focusing primarily on the underlying mechanisms of vision and audition, we will explore how our brains construct detailed representations of our world.  Throughout these explorations, we will identify perceptual limitations and investigate how mental processes such as attention and emotion affect our perceptions.  We will review recent scientific articles and conduct experiments.

Neuroethology Neuroethology lies at the intersection of evolution, behavior, and neuroscience and answers questions about the structure and function of nervous systems. This discipline seeks to understand circuitry underlying adaptive behaviors and the role of natural selection in shaping the nervous system. In this course we will embrace a molecular-to-behavior approach using model organisms. We will assess variation in behavior through video and image analyses, use histology to describe variation in circuit morphology, and employ genetic techniques to manipulate neuron function. Lectures focus on the development of scientific comprehension, writing, and communication skills; labs provide hands-on experience in neuroscience techniques and data analysis.

Developmental Biology Have you ever wondered how an embryo develops from a simple fertilized egg to a complex adult? This course explores this question, examining the preparation and initiation of development (gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavages, and gastrulation), the formation of embryonic structure (morphogenesis), the creation of embryonic pattern (pattern formation), and the control of gene expression during embryogenesis. In a semester when a laboratory section is offered, students will design and carry out experiments at the cutting edge of developmental biology, incorporating modern cellular, molecular, and genetic techniques with classical embryological approaches. Fundamental mysteries of development will be investigated in model organisms that best illustrate each process. This course does not have a lab associated with it every semester.

Psychopharmacology This course will examine ways in which drugs act on the brain to influence behavior. Students will learn the basics of brain function, will learn basic properties of drug action, and will learn how legal and illegal drugs, including drugs used to treat psychological disorders, alter the brain function and behavior of humans and experimental animals.

Biobehavioral Addiction Addiction is a pervasive disorder affecting society on a global scale. To understand this complex disorder, addictions are studied from the basic neural mechanisms, such as how neurons respond to addictive substances, to psychological factors and how they protect or increase risk. In this course we will examine the principles of substance addictions, emerging behavioral addictions (internet/gaming, problem-gambling), and underlying mechanisms that drive addiction. Topics include neural pathways of addictive substances, brain functional and structural changes, theories of motivation, neuropsychological risk factors, and modern prevention and treatment. Psychology and neuroscience students will bring their relative expertise to the class for thoughtful review of the literature.

Clinical Neuroscience In this course we will examine human and animal models of clinical problems of the nervous system to understand their underlying causes and emerging treatments. Readings and discussions will include foundational writings and primary literature on cutting-edge medical research in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, dementias, mood disorders, and epilepsy, as well as regenerative medicine and deep brain stimulation. Students will lead in-depth class discussions, design their own research synthesis projects, and present on their conclusions on recent ground-breaking findings in the field. (NSCI 0251; open to neuroscience majors; others by waiver).

Behavioral Genetics Why are some people shy while other people are very outgoing?  Why do some people do well at school while others struggle just to pass?  This course examines the roles that genes and the environment play in creating individual differences among us humans. In order to answer these questions, this course will cover topics including molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, metabolic disorders, chromosomal disorders, linkage and association designs, and the genetics of complex disorders. (PSYC 0226 or BIOL 0145 or NSCI 0251; Open to psychology or neuroscience majors only, others by approval) 3 hrs lect.

Neurodevelopment The generation of the nervous system is an intricate, stepwise process involving the coordinated action of progenitor cells, organizing centers, and signaling pathways. Drawing examples from vertebrate and invertebrate neurodevelopment, we will examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in generating a healthy, functioning nervous system. Topics will range from early embryonic events (neural induction, patterning) through mid-gestation (neurogenesis, gliogenesis) and later stage processes (axon guidance, synaptogenesis). Students will also gain an appreciation for the emerging role of activity-dependent plasticity in neurodevelopment and how developmental processes become compromised in disease.

Social Neuroscience Social neuroscience integrates neuroscientific and psychological approaches to enrich our  understanding of human social behavior. The field is concerned with how we recognize, understand, and interact with each other in social settings. We will explore how the brain processes (and is shaped  by) social/emotional information and how it gives rise to our physiological, cognitive, and behavioral repertoires of social responses. Topics include: theories and methods of social neuroscience research,  the brain bases of social processes such as the self, person perception, social affiliation, rejection and  conflict, social cognition, group dynamics, emotions, and cultural neuroscience.(PSYC 0226 or PSYC 228 or NSCI 0252; Open to psychology or neuroscience majors only, others by  approval) 3 hrs lect.

Neural Coding: Visualizing How the Brain Computes How does the brain go from an electrical signal to recognizing friends? In this course we will learn to use MATLAB to explore visually how the brain uses electrical signals to compute information. By using MATLAB as the frame for the class, students will gain skills in using a fundamental tool in neuroscience. In addition, through the use of introductory lectures, readings, in class programming activities, and discussion, students will deepen their understanding of how sensory information is encoded and then decoded. No experience using MATLAB necessary. Approval only.

Rhythms of the Brain How do the ~86 billion neurons of the human brain coordinate their activity to produce complex cognition and behavior?  In this course we will explore how rhythmic oscillations in neuronal activity may provide a unified mechanism that contributes to diverse brain functions including attention, learning and memory, motor coordination, sleep, respiration, and perhaps even consciousness itself.  Through background lectures and class discussion of primary scientific literature, students will develop their understanding of the relationships between ongoing neuronal activity, cognition, and behavior.

Psychobiology and Sex Differences: Exploration and Critique Men and women differ reproductively, in hormonal patterns, in average height, and in muscle mass. Biology is accepted as influencing these differences. Do biological contributions stop at the neck? Or might biology also contribute to neural and behavioral development in human as well as nonhuman species? We will examine evidence both for and against relationships between psychobiological factors (such as hormones and chromosomes) and sex/gender differences in behavior and psychological states (such as play behavior, cognition, sexual orientation, stress, addiction, and psychological disorders). Further, we will consider potential perils of such investigations, and additionally, will explore relationships between social/experiential factors and sex/gender differences as these may provide alternative, sometimes stronger, explanations.

Methods in Systems Neuroscience Our brains are series of connected neurons forming circuits. The properties of these neurons and circuits dictate their role in our behavior. This interaction is the foundation of systems neuroscience.  In this course students will deepen their understanding of the fundamental properties of these neural circuits. Students will gain knowledge of the current methods of studying these circuits, including their promise for future research directions as well as their flaws. We will focus on learning the principles of neural circuitry and discussing primary literature.  (NSCI 0251 and NSCI 0252; open to junior and senior neuroscience majors; others by waiver).

Memory: A User's Guide How can I remember names better? How can I best study for an exam? How accurate are our memories? A deep understanding of how people remember will allow us to answer these and many other questions. Topics covered in this course include working memory, the nature of encoding and retrieval, applied aspects of remembering, and neuroscientific approaches to understanding memory. Readings will be a mixture of textbook and journal articles. The class will have a seminar format, with emphasis on student-led discussions and contributions. Additionally, student research groups will design and execute a research study examining human memory. Evaluations will be based on the research project, student-led discussions, and reaction papers.

Genes, Brain, and Behavior What we experience—and how we experience it—is influenced by our unique combination of genes. For better or worse, the gene variants we inherit from our parents contribute to our predispositions to psychological disorders, our personalities, and even the way in which we perceive the world around us. To be clear, anything that you can do or think is in some way influenced by your genes. However, this statement comes with a large caveat: except in the case of (relatively) rare single gene mutations, your genes do not determine but rather contribute to who you are. Working within the field of behavior genetics, we will cover topics such as social behavior, sexual promiscuity, drug abuse, language, intelligence, and psychopathology.

The Aging Nervous System Aging is common to all animals and represents the greatest risk factor for many diseases. The nervous system, with its remarkable cellular diversity and some of the longest-lived cells in the body, is of particular interest to theories and mechanisms of aging. In this course, we will use primary literature to develop an understanding of the evolution and mechanisms of aging, focusing on cellular and molecular signatures of senescence in the nervous system. We will cover variation across species and brain cell types and the functional consequences of aging. Evaluation will be based on weekly reading responses, discussion facilitation, and a final paper structured as a systematic review or meta-analysis. (NSCI juniors and seniors; BIOL 0145 AND BIOL 0140 OR NSCI 251 or by approval) 3 hrs sem.

The Science & Practice of Compassion & Prosociality Everyone needs help sometimes. Giving and receiving help gets us through the day, connects us to others, and ensures our mental and physical well-being. Despite these benefits, lending a helping hand or accepting help can be hard. Why is something so essential so difficult for so many? In this course, we will discuss the psychological, cultural, and brain bases of compassion and prosociality. To put knowledge into practice, this course is largely experiential. Students will undergo Compassion Cultivation TrainingTM each week to acquire the skills necessary for extending compassion to the self and to friend, foe, stranger, and the world. Designed at Stanford University and The Compassion Institute, this training challenges worldviews for the betterment of ourselves and others. This course is especially appropriate for students going into the health professions. (PSYC 105, Open to junior and senior psychology and neuroscience majors, others by approval) 3 hr. sem.

Learning, Education, and the Brain All aspects of human learning -- be it learning to read, memorizing historical facts, or remembering the route to a new restaurant -- depend on the brain’s ability to adapt in response to input from the environment. In this course, we will explore the brain’s learning systems to understand how the human brain changes both structurally and functionally in response to learning experiences. Using insights from educational neuroscience and the learning sciences, we will study the relationship between neuroplasticity and different forms of learning, explore the impact of educational interventions on the brain, and debate the implications of neuroscience-informed educational practices. We will also have the option to analyze neuroimaging datasets to gain hands-on experience exploring learning in the brain. Ethan Roy is a PhD Candidate at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. He graduated from Middlebury College in 2015./

Pain and the Opioid Crisis The proliferation of opioid use in the United States, and the associated health consequences, is a major public health challenge. Yet opioid drugs are valuable tools for managing high-impact pain. In this course, we will explore the neural, biological, and historical underpinnings of pain and opioid use in the United States. Engaging with primary neuroscience literature and public health journalism, we will discuss the biological basis of pain and opioid actions, investigate how opioids do (and do not) treat pain, and address strategies for mitigating the parallel impact of opioid use and high-impact pain, focusing on issues relevant to Vermont. (BIOL0145; recommended: NSCI 0251 and NSCI 0252)  Lisa Wooldridge '16 is a graduate student in neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research investigates how opioid dependence interacts with the neural systems that produce the experience of pain./

Enteric Neurobiology In this course, students will be introduced to the structure and function of the enteric nervous system (ENS), an autonomous nervous system that controls gastrointestinal function. Topics will include a study of ENS function in health and disease including enteric neurons, glia, and immune cells, the gut-brain axis, and the role of the microbiota. Learning methods will include didactic lectures, readings from published books and primary literature, group presentations, and in-class assignments.

Hormones and Cognition One of the most critical features of hormones is their widespread impact on physiology and behavior. The brain is an endocrine organ; it produces and guides the production of hormones and is in turn influenced by hormones. Yet, scientists tend to forget that the action of ovarian hormones are not limited to the ovaries. In fact, brain regions that underlie cognition such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are densely packed with estrogen receptors. In this course, we will evaluate the powerful role hormones have in shaping neural structure, function, and cognition. We will explore topics such as the menstrual cycle, menopause, and endocrine disorders through empirical articles and popular media sources. (recommended: PSYC 0105 or BIOL 0145.)  Elle Murata received her B.A. in Neuroscience from Middlebury College and is currently a third year PhD student focusing on the intersection of neuroscience and women’s health at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research explores the neuromodulatory role of sex steroid hormones on neural structure and function; in particular, she is interested in how reproductive aging (menopause) and reproductive disorders (endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome) shape the brain./

Data Science Across Disciplines In this course, we will gain exposure to the entire data science pipeline—obtaining and cleaning large and messy data sets, exploring these data and creating engaging visualizations, and communicating insights from the data in a meaningful manner. During morning sessions, we will learn the tools and techniques required to explore new and exciting data sets. During afternoon sessions, students will work in small groups with one of several faculty members on domain-specific research projects in Sociology, Neuroscience, Animation, Art History, or Environmental Science. This course will utilize the R programming language. No prior experience with R is necessary. ENVS: Students will engage in research within environmental health science—the study of reciprocal relationships between human health and the environment. High-quality data and the skills to make sense of these data are key to studying environmental health across diverse spatial scales, from individual cells through human populations. In this course, we will explore common types of data and analytical tools used to answer environmental health questions and inform policy. FMMC: Students will explore how to make a series of consequential decisions about how to present data and how to make it clear, impactful, emotional or compelling. In this hands-on course we will use a wide range of new and old art making materials to craft artistic visual representations of data that educate, entertain, and persuade an audience with the fundamentals of data science as our starting point. NSCI/MATH: Students will use the tools of data science to explore quantitative approaches to understanding and visualizing neural data. The types of neural data that we will study consists of electrical activity (voltage and/or spike trains) measured from individual neurons and can be used to understand how neurons respond to and process different stimuli (e.g., visual or auditory cues). Specifically, we will use this neural data from several regions of the brain to make predictions about neuron connectivity and information flow within and across brain regions. SOCI: Students will use the tools of data science to examine how experiences in college are associated with social and economic mobility after college.  Participants will combine sources of "big data" with survey research to produce visualizations and exploratory analyses that consider the importance of higher education for shaping life chances.  HARC: Students will use the tools of data science to create interactive visualizations of the Dutch textile trade in the early eighteenth century. These visualizations will enable users to make connections between global trade patterns and representations of textiles in paintings, prints, and drawings.

Molecular Neurogenetics: A Techniques Lab How do we study the molecular properties of neurons in the laboratory? Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in a molecular neuroscience lab? In this course, we take a deep dive into the techniques widely used to molecularly identify neurons, such as immunostaining and single-cell sequencing. We will learn how to genotype animals and then explore methods in protein expression analysis. In this class, we will also explore how bioinformatics is shaping our current understanding of the brain and the cells within it. Utilizing the consecutive course periods of the winter term, students will have the unique opportunity to design, perform, and analyze experiments featuring modern cellular and molecular neuroscience techniques.

Alex Lyford

Amanda Crocker

Catherine Combelles

Clarissa Parker

Clinton Cave

Elle Murata

Estelle Bishop

Ethan Roy

Harrison Hsiang

Jason Arndt

Jennifer Crodelle

Kim Cronise

Lisa Wooldridge

Marcia Collaer

Mark Spritzer

Mike Dash

Olga Parshina

Rebekah Keating Godfrey

Zu Zhai

Read 165 reviews for Neuroscience courses at Middlebury College. Find the best Neuroscience professors and courses.  Discover your new major today!

Professor Cave is very engaging and accommodating. One of the classes is more lecture-based, where Professor Cave introduces new information and provides academic readings for us to explore. The other class is more like a book journal or discussion-based course. Each student is assigned a graph or figure from the readings and is responsible for explaining it to the class. Overall, the class was pretty relaxed and manageable, but I feel like I didn’t learn as much as I had hoped.


I loved having Professor Godfrey for this course. She was always willing to help us, especially when we were confused during lectures. The material itself was at times difficult but when we expressed this to her she was more than happy to adjust the material and make sure that we were actually learning.

Professor Dash is very knowledgeable about this topic, and his enthusiasm shows through his teaching. Sometimes lectures felt a little long, but that is just because there is a good amount of depth and information that comes with the subject. As he will emphasize, this course will moreso give you tools to think about brain processes, and you will have to adapt those to new situations. 