Participating Faculty

Edward Awh, psychology

Paul Dassonville, psychology

Chris Q. Doe, biology

Judith S. Eisen, biology

Clifford Kentros, psychology

Charles B. Kimmel, biology

Shawn R. Lockery, biology

Richard Marrocco, psychology

Helen Neville, psychology

Peter M. O’Day, biology

John H. Postlethwait, biology

William Roberts, biology

Terry Takahashi, biology

Nathan J. Tublitz, biology

Paul van Donkelaar, human physiology

Philip E. Washbourne, biology

Janis C. Weeks, biology

Michael Wehr, psychology

Monte Westerfield, biology

Marjorie Woollacott, human physiology

Graduate Study in Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of neural function, development, and behavior. At the University of Oregon the graduate training program in neuroscience is centered in the Institute of Neuroscience. Participating faculty members are drawn from the Departments of Biology, Human Physiology, and Psychology.

Curriculum

First-year graduate students take one of two core sequences: 1) cellular, systems, and cognitive neuroscience or 2) developmental, molecular, and genetic neuroscience. The core sequences are taught cooperatively by the faculty. Most students also take elective courses in a variety of subjects (see Neuroscience Courses below).

Faculty-Student Seminars. Faculty members and graduate students participate in weekly informal seminars that feature lively discussion of research papers in specific areas of neuroscience. Students and faculty members also participate in the neuroscience seminar, a weekly series featuring visiting scientists. The purpose of the neuroscience seminar is to keep both the faculty and students abreast of current developments in the broad field of neuroscience.

Research. Students are encouraged to participate in laboratory research from the very beginning of their graduate training. A laboratory rotation program is directed toward this objective. In the rotation program new students take part in the activities of a different laboratory group during each of the three terms of the first year. Participation may include a research project, ongoing experiments, or other activities. This program allows students to learn firsthand about different approaches to the study of neuroscience before choosing an area of concentration.

Doctoral Study

Students who want to enter the neuroscience program should apply to the Ph.D. program of a participating department and indicate their interest in neuroscience. Such applications are reviewed by the neuroscience faculty as well as the departmental admission committee. Answers to specific questions about prerequisites and deadlines may be obtained by writing directly to one of the participating departments, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403. Additional information about the Institute of Neuroscience may be obtained from the institute website. See also Research Institutes and Centers in the Graduate Studies section of this catalog.

Neuroscience Courses

Biology. Neurobiology (BI 360), Developmental Genetics (BI 428/528), Systems Neuroscience (BI 461/561), Cellular Neuroscience (BI 463/563), Evolution of Nervous Systems (BI 465/565), Developmental Neurobiology (BI 466/566), Hormones and the Nervous System (BI 467/567), Experimental Course: Advanced Cellular Neuroscience (BI 610)

Chemistry. Biochemistry (CH 461/561, 462/562, 463/563), Biochemistry Laboratory (CH 467/567), Advanced Biochemistry (CH 662, 663), Physical Biochemistry (CH 664)

Computer and Information Science. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (CIS 471/571)

Human Physiology. Motor Control (HPHY 333), Motor Development (HPHY 335), Experimental Course: Advanced Systems Neuroscience (HPHY 610)

Psychology. Biopsychology (PSY 304), Learning and Memory (PSY 433/533), Cognition (PSY 435/535), Human Performance (PSY 436/536), Perception (PSY 438/538), Brain Mechanisms of Behavior (PSY 445/545), Human Neuropsychology (PSY 449/549), Hormones and Behavior (PSY 450/550), Experimental Course: Advanced Cognitive Neuroscience (PSY 610)