Core Courses

*Please note: Not all courses are offered every semester. Consult the Williams College Course Catalog or the Registrar's Office for more detailed information regarding course offerings.

Neuroscience 201: Introduction to Neuroscience (Bio 212/Psych 212)
A study of the relationship between brain, mind, and behavior. Topics include a survey of the structure and function of the nervous system, basic neurophysiology, development, learning and memory, sensory and motor systems, language, consciousness and clinical disorders such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The laboratory focuses on current topics in neuroscience. Format: lecture, three hours a week; laboratory, every other week. Evaluation will be based on a lab practical, two hour exams and a final exam. Prerequisites: Psychology 101 or Biology 101; open to first-year students who satisfy the prerequisites, or by permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 144 (expected: 60). Preference given to Biology and Psychology majors. Satisfies one semester of the Division III requirement.

Neuroscience 401: Topics in Neuroscience
Neuroscientists explore issues inherent in the study of brain and behavior. The overall objective of this seminar is to create a culminating senior experience in which previous course work in specific areas in the Neuroscience Program can be brought to bear in a synthetic, interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex problems. The specific goals for students in this seminar are (1) to evaluate original research and critically examine the experimental evidence for theoretical issues, and (2) to gain an understanding of this discipline through group work, and oral presentations. Topics and instructional formats will vary somewhat from year to year, but in all cases the course will emphasize an integrative approach in which students will be asked to consider topics from a range of perspectives including molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral and clinical neuroscience. Previous topics have included memory, autism, depression, alcoholism, language development, and stress. Format: student-led discussions and presentations, three hours a week. Evaluation will be based on presentations, participation in class discussion, and a term paper. Prerequisites: open only to seniors in the Neuroscience program. Enrollment limit: 24 (expected: 10). This course is required of all senior students in the Neuroscience program.

Neuroscience 493-W031-494: Senior Thesis
Independent research for two semesters and a winter study under the guidance of one or more neuroscience faculty. After reviewing the literature in a specialized field of neuroscience, students design and conduct an original research project, the results of which are reported in a thesis. Senior thesis work is supervised by the faculty participating in the program.