MCB 416

Credit: 3 hours.

A contemporary systems treatment of Neuroethology, the study of behavior and its neurophysiological bases. The class will treat the known neuronal circuitry underlying behavior, from behaviors as simple as locomotion to sequential actions driven by cost-benefit decision making (Neuroeconomics). Emphasis is placed on conceptual models of the neuronal circuitry of behavior and its plasticity. Elements of behavior are covered in parallel with their neural substrates, including the evolution of behavior and nervous systems, pattern generation, biological rhythms, sleep, sensory and motor systems, decision, motivation and arousal, appetite, stress, memory, neural mechanisms and behavioral pathology and the tuning of neural circuits in development and through use (homeostatic plasticity).

Same as NEUR 426. Prerequisite: MCB 401 or MCB 412, or MCB 314, or consent of instructor.