230 Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Directors: Professor M. Hagerman (Chemistry); Associate Professor P. Catravas (Electrical and Computer Engineering) The interdisciplinary minor in nanotechnology is primarily aimed at science and engineering majors who wish to become more aware of the properties of matter at the nanoscale, the potential usefulness of those properties, and their social and economic implications. It will also appeal to students interested in science and technology policy who wish to expand their knowledge of science and technology. Requirements for the minor: 1. Required courses for all minors (three courses): CHM-/ESC-224. Frontiers of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials ESC-324. Advanced Topics in Nanoscience MER-213. Materials Science 2. Elective physical science course: any course outside of the student’s major department that counts toward that department’s major. 3. Elective social science or humanities course: any course from the following list ANT-240. Culture and Technology HST-193. Science, Medicine and Technology in Culture HST-253/PHY-053. Physics and Politics PHL-232. Philosophy of Science PHL-247. Technology and Human Values Alternative courses may also be chosen with approval from the Nanotechnology Program Directors. 4. The student’s senior writing, research, or design project should involve elements of nanoscience or nanotechnology. This senior project should be approved by one of the Nanotechnology program directors. It is strongly recommended that minors complete MER-354 (Advanced Materials).
Neuroscience 231
Neuroscience Directors: Associate Professors C. Chabris (Psychology), Q. Chu-LaGraff (Biological Sciences) Faculty: Professors L. Fleishman, R. Olberg (Biological Sciences), D. Burns, C. Weisse (Psychology); Associate Professors S. Kirkton (Biological Sciences), C. Fernandes, K. Striegnitz (Computer Science), C. Anderson-Hanley, S. Romero (Psychology); Assistant Professors J. Rieffel (Computer Science), T. Buma (Electrical and Computer Engineering), J. Wang (Mathematics), D. Barnett (Philosophy); Visiting Assistant Professors N. Webb (Computer Science), C. Perilloux, E. Wells (Psychology) The major in neuroscience is designed for students with interests that intersect the fields of biology, psychology, and computer science. Neuroscience focuses on the relationships among brain function, cognitive processing, and behavior. Researchers in this field come from widely disparate backgrounds, including cognitive psychology, clinical neuropsychology, neuroimaging, neurobiology, neuroethology, biopsychology, physiology, neurology, philosophy, and computer science. Thus, research questions are considered from many different levels, and many different converging methodologies are used. The neuroscience major consists of three tracks: the bioscience track, the cognitive track, and the computational track. The bioscience track focuses on the biological basis of neural development, function, and plasticity. Students will develop an understanding of the nervous system and its role in cognition, perception, and action at the molecular, cellular, and systems level. The cognitive track provides students with an understanding of how neural networks and brain mechanisms give rise to specific mental processes and behavior. Students begin with the processes that have been traditionally studied in the area of cognitive psychology, but can tailor the program to include phenomena that are traditionally studied in developmental or clinical psychology as well. The computational track focuses on issues related to developing computational models of neuronal and mental processes. Students will develop an understanding of artificial intelligence that uses biologically plausible methods. Requirements for the Major: The neuroscience major consists of four parts: (1) a core of required courses that all majors must take; (2) required courses in one of three tracks—bioscience, cognitive, or computational; (3) general electives; (4) a senior writing requirement. Unless noted below, course descriptions are listed under their home departments. 1. Required courses for all neuroscience majors: BIO-110 and BIO-112 (Introductory Biology); BIO-225 (Molecular Biology of the Cell); either BIO-362 (Introduction to Neurobiology) or BIO-363 (Introduction to Cellular Neurosciences); PSY-200 (Statistical Methods in Psychology); PSY-210 (Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience); PSY-220 (Psychology of Memory and Thinking); PHL-231 (Symbolic Logic); either CSC-106 (Can Computers Think?) or CSC-103 (Taming Big Data). 2. Required and cognate courses in one of three tracks: Bioscience Track: Required Courses: Any TWO from the following list: BIO-325 (Animal Behavior); BIO-330 (Comparative Animal Physiology); BIO-332 (Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy); BIO-365 (Neural Circuits and Behavior); BIO-370 (Endocrinology); BIO-384 (Molecular Genetics); PSY-211 (Sensation and Perception). Students must also take the following cognate Courses: MTH-110 (or MTH-112, MTH113, MTH-115, or MTH-117), CHM-101, and CHM-102. MTH112 and one term of physics are recommended.