Biology Department
115. Neurobiology. James R. Groome.
Mechanisms of nervous function. Membrane biophysics and neuroactive molecules,
mechanisms of nervous signaling and communication, and functions of small and large
neuronal circuits. Introduction to sensory systems, motor systems, and the neuronal basis
of behavior. Prerequisites: Biology 52 and Physics 51. 3 credit hours. (First semester.)
152. Neural Networks. (Keller).
Modeling, simulation, and analysis of artificial neural networks and their relation to
biological networks. Relation between dynamic properties and computational properties of
large, interconnected parallel processors. Introduction to nervous systems. Design and
optimization of discrete and continuous neural networks. Back propogation, simulated
annealing, and internal learning rules. Simulation of single neurons and of large
interconnected networks. Prerequisites: Biology 52 and Mathematics 73 and 82, or
permission of instructor. 3 credit hours. (First semester.)
185N. Topics in Advanced Neurobiology. James R. Groome
Psychology Department
104. Developmental Psychology. Malakoff .
The study of the changes in thought, behavior, and emotions from infancy through
adulthood. The facts and major theories of development. Questions about heredity and
environment. Prerequisites: one psychology course or permission of instructor. 3 credit
hours.
161. Cognitive Science and Psychology. (Malakoff).
An examination of current issues in cognitive science as they relate to human cognitive
processes and structures. Topics include: philosophy of mind, language and linguistics,
memory structure and processes, modeling knowledge organization, and artificial
intelligence. 3 credit hours.
Physics Department
174. Biophysics. Peterson.
Selected topics emphasizing membrane biophysics at the molecular level, including
physical properties of membranes, the generation and transmission of nerve signals,
mechanisms of sensory transduction. Other possible topics: muscle contraction, neural
information processing. Prerequisite: Biology 52 or permission of instructor. 2 credit
hours. (First half of first semester.)