Students will explain/describe the detailed anatomy of the human nervous system at both the cellular and molecular level as well as the organ level. This will be tied to the physiological functioning at each level from electrophysiology and synaptic pharmacology to integration of active networks in the central nervous systems to monitoring of sensory information and motor control.
Students will analyze structural-functional relationships in the brain and spinal cord across vertebrate phyla and among selected species of invertebrate with regard to evolutionary adaptation and resulting behavioral ecology.
Students will critique primary literature at the cognitive, behavioral, and cellular level. This will include evaluation of experimental techniques and the use of controls and hypothesis testing by published authors.
Students will learn basic statistical analysis and methods of applications of these techniques in developing experimental design, and appreciate limitations of conclusions drawn from experimental data.
Students will read and critique the historical philosophical foundation of western and eastern thought regarding the functioning of the human mind, the role of materialism, spiritualism, dualism and information theory as well as origin of ethical decision making.
Students will undertake original and publishable research studies at either cellular, cognitive or behavioral level with faculty mentors. In this process, they will demonstrate skill in relevant literature analysis, experimental design, actual performance of experimental protocols, teamwork, statistical analysis of results and oral and written communication of conclusions and their defense.
Students will construct a research thesis, and present the results of that thesis to an audience of peers and faculty at regional or all college events, and be able to defend their results to other students and faculty.
