Exploring the Brain-Body Interface: The Neuroscience of Basic Survival
BIOL 373
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
NS&B 373 |
Basic survival depends on the brain's regulation of fundamental behaviors and physiological pathways, such as eating, drinking, breathing, digestion, cardiac function, and thermal regulation. How do the brain and body communicate with each other to achieve homeostasis, different physiological states, and what goes awry in disease? How have different animals adapted to thrive under challenging environments, such as extreme temperatures, hypoxia, and resource scarcity?
In this advanced seminar, students will take a deep dive into the exciting research taking place at the brain-body interface. We will explore the main components of the peripheral nervous system, such as the vagus nerve and the dorsal root ganglia, that act as gatekeepers into our internal and external sensory worlds. We will also explore pathways in the central nervous system that regulate our basic bodily functions. By reading primary literature and review papers, as well as participating in in-class discussions, students will gain deep knowledge of this burgeoning field of neuroscience. Through short written assignments and oral presentations on topics of their choosing, students will gain skills in scientific writing and scholarship as well as in oral communication of scientific information. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM NS&B |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: (BIOL181 OR MB&B 181) AND (BIOL182 OR MB&B182) AND (BIOL213 OR NS&B213) |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (BIOL)(NS&B) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Animal Behavior, 12th edition by Dustin Rubenstein
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Examinations and Assignments:
Primary Literature |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Feng,Ni Ye Times: ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: SHAN314; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: 2 | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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