Academic Planning Self-Study Fall 2011: Undergraduate
Program in Neuroscience
STEP 1: THE CURRICULAR CONTEXT
A. DEGREES AND MINORS OFFERED BY YOUR PROGRAM, INDIVIDUALLY OR JOINTLY. The
interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience offers only a Bachelor of Arts in
Neuroscience.
B. UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OFFERED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS THAT DEPEND ON
COURSEWORK IN YOUR PROGRAM. No other undergraduate major or minor within or beyond the College
of Arts and Sciences depends on courses offered exclusively through our program. On the other hand,
several courses that fulfill requirements for the Neuroscience major either are required or will fulfill
requirements for other colleges. PS 222 and PS 234 fulfill the social science requirement for the
College of Engineering; PS 211 and PS 234 are required for various majors offered through Sargent
College; PS 323, PS 333, PS 337, PS 338, PS 528, PS 530, and PS 554 may be taken for credit for the
Biology Major with a Specialization in Neurobiology.
C. N/A
D. COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAMS: WRITING, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, MATH, GENERAL
EDUCATION (CORE CURRICULUM AND DIVISIONAL STUDIES, INCLUDING HONORS).
1. N/A
2. University Honors College. We are developing a course that will be offered either as a
Freshman seminar or as a component of a Sophomore course for the University Honors
College, scheduled for Spring 2013.
3. N/A
4. N/A
5. Divisional Studies courses that also serve as gateways to your major(s). We intend to add our
new first year introductory neuroscience course (NE 101) to the list of natural science
divisional courses.
6. NA
7. N/A
8. N/A
STEP II. ASSESSMENT OF SPECIFIC COURSE NEEDS
As described in previous curriculum planning exercises, a
major goal was to create courses designed specifically for the
undergraduate neuroscience major rather than rely on other
departments and programs for every one of our courses. This
year we are pleased to report that we now offer a set of core
neuroscience courses designed for and offered directly
through the program. All neuroscience majors must take each
of the following five courses, and therefore each must be
offered annually.
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NE 101
NE 102*
Semester offered
Fall
Spring
Enrollment
165
96 seats
NE 202
NE 203*
NE 204*
Spring
Fall
Spring
140 seats
75
112 seats
Instructor
Lipton (Lecturer)
Lipton/Adams (Lecturer/PFF) – spring 2012
Adams – spring 2013 and beyond
Somers (Psychology)
Lin (Biology)
Barnes (part-time lecturer) – spring 2012
Kramer (Math) – spring 2013 and beyond
* lab course
The courses listed below make up the roster of upper level electives that count toward the neuroscience
major. Enrollment in each of these courses consistently meets or exceeds enrollment limits; no course
is under-enrolled. Given that most courses on this list serve the needs of two of the most populous
majors in the college, none should be offered any less than annually.
** Marks highest demand courses
Biology
BI 203 Cell Biology (fall)
**BI 230 Behavioral Endocrinology (fall)
**BI 445 Cellular and Molecular
Neurophysiology (spring)
BI 455 Developmental Neurobiology (spring)
**BI 481 Molecular Biology of the Neuron
(fall)
**BI 520 Sensory Neurobiology (fall)
BI 545 Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior
(spring)
BI 554 Neuroendocrinology (spring)
MA 578 Bayesian Stats
Psychology
PS 222 Perception (every semester)
PS 234 Psychology of Learning (every
semester)
**PS 322 Experimental Psychology:
Physiology (spring)
PS 323 Experimental Psychology: Learning
(every semester)
**PS 333 Drugs and Behavior (every semester)
PS 337 Memory Systems (fall)
PS 338 Neuropsychology (fall)
PS 528 Brain Mapping (fall)
**PS 529 Neuroplasticity (fall)
PS 530 Neural Models of Memory (spring)
PS 544 Developmental Neuropsychology (fall)
Chemistry
CH 203 Organic Chemistry
Computer Science
CS 111 Intro to Computer Science I
CS 112 Intro to Computer Science II
CS 542 Machine Learning
CS 565 Data Mining
Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience
**NE 340 Intro to Comp Models of Skilled
Action (spring)
Mathematics and Statistics
MA 242 Linear Algebra
MA 226 Differential Equations
MA 416 Intermediate Stats
MA 421 Modern Stat Modeling and Data
Analysis
MA 565 Math Models in Life Sciences
Health Sciences (Sargent College)
**SAR HS 361/NE 360 Introduction to
Computational Models of Hearing (fall)
Engineering
ENG EK 127 (every semester)
ENG EK 128 (every semester)
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STEP III. PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE COURSE STAFFING
NE 101, required every fall; Dr. Lipton (UG Neuro) is committed to teaching this course every
fall.
NE 102, required every spring; Dr. Adams (UG Neuro) is a very good lecturer and
committed to teaching this course every spring.
NE 202, required every spring; Professor Somers (Psychology) is committed to teaching this
course every spring.
NE 203, required every fall; Professor Lin (Biology) is committed to teaching this course every
fall. The lecture component of this course (BI 325) also is offered every spring and
taught by Professors Dionne and Ho (Biology). Students who elect to pass on the lab
may enroll in the spring section.
NE 204, required every spring; Professor Kramer (Mathematics & Statistics) is committed to
teaching this course beginning spring 2013, and has the endorsement of his Chair.
NE 101 will satisfy one Natural Science Divisional requirement.
STEP IV: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF UPDATES AND FUTURE PLANNING
1. UPDATES: PLEASE LIST ALL MAJOR UPDATES THAT YOU MADE TO THIS DOCUMENT THIS YEAR.
 Significant curricular revisions
o Addition of NE 101, NE 102*, and NE 203* (* lab courses) to list of required core
neuroscience courses
 Secured commitments to staff core courses:
 NE 102: Dr. Ken Adams
 NE 203: Professor Jen-Wei Lin
 NE 204: Tim Barnes (spring 2012); Professor Mark Kramer (spring 2013)
 Offering NE 101 as a Natural Science Divisional course
 Designing a course for the University Honors College
2. GOALS AND PLANNING
A. THE CURRICULAR CONTEXT.
As noted above, a major goal outlined in previous curricular planning exercises/annual
reports/strategic plans was to create courses designed specifically for our program, in particular,
introductory courses with laboratory components. The addition of these new courses allows us to boast
five core neuroscience courses, in addition to an extensive list of upper level electives offered by eight
different departments and programs across three different colleges. Our new introductory lab courses
are designed to more effectively prepare our students to participate in faculty-mentored research
experiences, compete for full-time research positions following graduation, apply to graduate and
medical programs, and make more informed academic and professional decisions. Alongside these
curricular changes, we have funding from three external sources (HHMI, NIA, NIMH) to support
faculty-mentored research experiences for 35-40 undergraduate neuroscience majors per year (for the
next 3-5 years) beginning with rising sophomores. Altogether, these changes will allow us to present
neuroscience as an experimental, laboratory based science, and foster a learning environment that
inspires creativity, stimulates interest, nurtures a sense of community, and promotes scientific literacy.
Given that four years ago we projected a total enrollment of <100 students ten years out,
predicting enrollment numbers at this point is a fool’s errand. That being said, with current TF staffing
levels and faculty commitments, we are at present well positioned to accommodate our current
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enrollment numbers. If, however, we were to see a significant increase in enrollment (>20 students per
year), the greatest impact on existing resources will be on our introductory lab courses.
NE Electives. In previous documents we have cited the impact of enrollment pressures on upper level
electives. Neuroscience majors are increasingly occupying a greater percentage of seats in courses
offered by other departments. To ensure continued and unobstructed access to these courses we have
worked with Biology and Psychology to create a set of cross-listed neuroscience (NE) courses (e.g. NE
333, NE 445…), a move that will also more effectively direct students to courses in their major and
engender a sense of active participation among the “neuroscience” faculty. The Biology faculty have
endorsed this plan; Psychology faculty will vote at their October 19th faculty meeting.
Postdoctoral Faculty Fellows. We have three postdoctoral faculty fellows, each of whom began last
spring: Drs. Mario Muscedere, Hillary Blakeley, and Ken Adams. Each brings a unique and invaluable
scientific and educational expertise to the program, providing essential insight and energy toward the
development of our new courses. Drs. Muscedere and Blakeley are currently delivering individual
lectures in NE 101; Dr. Adams is the course instructor for BI 203. They each devoted 95-99% of their
time this past summer to conducting research, and Dr. Adams is continuing to mentor two
undergraduates in the lab, and Dr. Blakeley has started to organize and manage our High School
Outreach program (monthly visits by high school science classes, after school course in the spring).
New staff position. Our PFF’s have been absolutely vital to our continued success, in part through their
energy, enthusiasm, and diversity of expertise, but also as added man power. Initially we had funding
for two PFF’s through August, 2014, however, we found additional support for a third PFF through
August, 2012. Beginning next September, we will no longer have enough funding for Dr. Adams, who
is currently supported as a part-time lecturer through Biology (BI 203), and partially funded to conduct
research during the summer off Professor Cooper’s research grant. Additionally, Dr. Adams
participated as an advisor during summer orientation for incoming first year students, and advises
students during the academic year. Based on Dr. Adams’ success as a lecturer, course director for a
large course, manager of graduate teaching fellows, mentor of undergraduate researchers, experience
with academic advising and developing a lab course, we are currently working together with Biology,
Dean Jackson, and Dean Cooper to create a full-time lecturer/staff position for Dr. Adams within the
Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, beginning AY 13-14. Modeled, in part, on Dr. Kathryn
Spilios’ current position in Biology, the responsibilities of the new position will include:
 Teaching two (or possibly three) courses per year
o BI 203 – fall
o NE 102 – spring
o Upper level lab elective that serves both Biology and Neuroscience (?)
 Academic advising
 Instructional Lab Coordinator (for NE 102, NE 203, and possibly the upper level lab).
For the next academic year (’12-13), Dr. Adams will be supported as a part-time lecturer for BI 203
(confirmed with Biology) and NE 102, and funded off Professor Cooper’s research grant for the
summer months and our HHMI grant. We hope to formalize these responsibilities, transition to a fulltime staff position, and secure continuing funding beginning in AY ’13-14.
Departmental Honors. In the coming years we hope to establish a “Departmental” Honors program
built around the central features of our recently implemented curricular revisions: early exposure to the
discovery process and hands-on experience. The elements of which would include the following:
 Each of our new core lab/lecture courses spanning the first two years of the program (NE
102, 203, and 204) will contain an honors laboratory section; honors students will be
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required to successfully complete all three sections to remain in the Departmental Honors
program and graduate with honors;
o Depending on resources and staffing, we may also include a separate honors lecture
section for each of these three courses (e.g. BI 108 / 118);
 Students will be admitted through an application process only after they complete their first
semester;
 Admission will be based in part on an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher; no NE grade lower
than 3.3;
 To graduate with Departmental Honors students must successfully complete a Senior
Honors Thesis
o Students must complete at least one semester of a Directed Study before engaging in
a senior thesis project
o Non-departmental honors students also may undertake a thesis project; upon
successful completion, they will graduate with Distinction.
We will evaluate and refine our new core lecture/lab courses over the next couple years, after which
we should be better positioned to move forward with this “Departmental” Honors plan.
Nature of Science Seminar. Together with Professor Peter Garik in SED, we have developed a seminar
titled the “Nature of Science”. This 1.5 hour/week seminar is jointly offered by SED Professor Peter
Garik and Professor Eichenbaum. The seminar is comprised solely of students conducting
undergraduate research for credit, and is designed to engage students in a discussion of the theories and
motives behind scientific research and how these relate to students’ own research experiences. At the
end of the semester we will review this seminar and consider incorporating it into our “Departmental”
Directed Study program.
Undergraduate Assistants. This semester we have four upper-class students serving as Undergraduate
Assistants in our new introductory lab course (NE 203). Each student attends one lab section per week
and provides assistance where ever needed: procedures, animal handling, setup, lab practical. We hope
to expand this program to both introductory lab courses (NE 102, NE 203) and formalize the program
in conjunction with Biology’s UA/LA program.
B. SPECIFIC COURSE NEEDS.
The changes and additions discussed above do not require the addition or change in courses,
format, or scheduling. In fact, the changes and additions are meant to address potential staffing
shortages as our program continues to grow and we implement the curricular revisions approved by the
college (i.e. addition of introductory lab courses).
C. COURSE STAFFING.
Projecting a few years out, as a required course for neuroscience majors and a natural science
divisional course, we may offer a second section of NE 101 to support increased enrollment. Dr.
Lipton is prepared to teach a second section during the spring semester starting AY12-13.
As noted above, to ensure access for and appropriately direct students to electives in their
major, we are in the process of assembling a list of “neuroscience” (NE) electives, by establishing and
cross-listing NE sections with existing electives offered by participating departments. On the faculty
end, we are working on a proposal to define and formalize program affiliation and participation. This
will include accepting advising responsibilities, mentoring, and teaching for the undergraduate
program. This proposal is under development and will be submitted separately from this curriculum
planning document.
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Graduate Teaching Fellows. We currently have 4 full AY graduate teaching fellows, staffed by
graduate students enrolled in the Graduate Program for Neuroscience. Their assignments are as
follows:
NE 102: 1.5 AY TF’s, spring, Lecture/Lab, enrollment ~96 (6 lab sections)
NE 203: 1.5 AY TF’s, fall, Lecture/Lab, current enrollment 75 (6 lab sections)
NE 360/HS 361: 0.5 AY TF's, fall, Lecture/Lab, enrollment 25
NE 204: 0.5 AY TF's, spring, Lecture/Lab, enrollment 112 (4 lab sections)
1) NE 202, one of our required core neuroscience lecture courses has an expected enrollment of
140 students, will be offered this spring without a Teaching Fellow. To better serve our
students and this course, we request a Teaching Fellow to hold discussion sections and review
sessions throughout the semester.
2) NE 340, an upper level elective with a lab section (expected enrollment of 28), will be
offered this spring without a Teaching Fellow. To better serve our students and this course, we
request a Teaching Fellow to run the lab and hold review sessions throughout the semester. A
teaching fellow for this course would also allow this course to expand to include a second lab
section.
Together, we request a total of 5 AY TF’s for AY12-13:
NE 102 (1.5 AY TF's) Spring, Lecture/Lab, enrollment 96
NE 202 (0.5 AY TF's) Spring, Lecture/discussion, enrollment 100
NE 203 (1.5 AY TF's) Fall, Lecture/Lab, enrollment 96
NE 204 (0.5 AY TF's) Spring, Lecture/Lab, enrollment 112
NE 360/HS 361 (0.5 AY TF's) Fall; Lecture/Lab, enrollment 25
NE 340 (0.5 AY TF's) Spring; Lecture/Lab, enrollment 25
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