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(B.Sc.)
Neuroscience encompasses aspects of a variety of disciplines that have the common goal of understanding how the nervous system works. Techniques from constituent disciplines like anatomy, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, psychology and zoology are used to unravel some of the mysteries of the brain and its mechanisms of action. Investigators in Neuroscience have also made fundamental contributions to clinical aspects of neurodysfunction and behaviour.
The Major Programme is intended for students who wish to combine their studies of Neuroscience with other areas of interest. The Specialist Programme is designed for students who have a particular interest in the Neurosciences and wish to focus their studies in this area.
In a few instances, courses from the other campuses
may be used to satisfy programme requirements, but such substitutions
must be pre-approved by the Supervisor of Studies.
First-Year Students in Neuroscience
BGYA01Y, CHMA02Y and PSYA01Y are recommended in the
first year if you are intending to pursue a Specialist or Major
Programme in Neuroscience.
Supervisor: J. Gurd (Office: S532)
The Programme requires completion of 12.5 full-course
equivalents.
1. The following 3 F.C.E.'s:
BGYA01Y Introductory Biology
CHMA02Y Introductory Chemistry
PSYA01Y Introductory Psychology
2. The following 4.5 F.C.E.'s:
BGYB10Y Cell & Molecular Biology
BGYB32H Animal Physiology Laboratory
CHMB44Y Organic Chemistry
NROB30H Animal Physiology
NROB60H Neuroscience I: Cell Anatomy and Physiology
PSYB07H Data Analysis in Psychology (STAB22 may
not be used to fulfil this requirement)
PSYB65H Human Brain & Behaviour
3. The following 3.5 F.C.E.'s:
BGYC12H Biochemistry I: Proteins & Enzymes
BGYC13H Biochemistry II: Bioenergetics & Metabolism
NROC34H Invertebrate Neurobiology
NROC61H Neuroscience II: Learning & Motivation
NROC63H Neuroscience Laboratory
NROC64H Neuroscience III: Sensory & Motor Systems
PSYC08H Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology
4. 1.5 F.C.E.'s from the following: (Supervised Study
or Thesis courses can be used to fulfil a maximum of 0.5 F.C.E.
in this category).
NROC35H Developmental Neurobiology
NROC69H Synaptic Organization of the Brain
NROC90H Supervised Study in Neuroscience
NROC93H Supervised Study in Neuroscience
NROD60H Current Topics in Neuroscience
NROD62H Neuroplasticity
NROD63H Advanced Neuroscience Laboratory
NROD65H Pathologies in the Nervous System
NROD98Y Thesis in Neuroscience
PSYD67H Psychobiology of Aging
Supervisor: J. Gurd (Office: S532)
The programme requires seven full-course equivalents. Students planning to complete a double major in Biology and Neuroscience must take an extra 0.5 F.C.E. from either Category 4 of the Major Programme in Neuroscience or an extra 0.5 F.C.E. in Biology under Category 4 of the Major Programme in Biological Sciences. Students should consult Programme Supervisor.
The following indicates the required courses for
the Major Programme in Neuroscience.
1. The following 3.0 F.C.E.'s:
BGYA01Y Introductory Biology
CHMA02Y Introductory Chemistry
PSYA01Y Introductory Psychology
2. The following 1.5 F.C.E.'s:
NROB60H Neuroscience I: Cell Anatomy & Physiology
NROC61H Neuroscience II: Learning and Motivation
NROC64H Neuroscience III: Sensory and Motor Skills
3. 2.0 F.C.E.'s from the following:
BGYB10Y Cell and Molecular Biology
BGYB32H Animal Physiology Laboratory
NROB30H Animal Physiology
PSYB07H Data Analysis in Psychology
PSYB65H Human Brain and Behaviour
4. 0.5 F.C.E. from the following:
NROC34H Invertebrate Neurobiology
NROC35H Developmental Neurobiology
NROC63H Neuroscience Laboratory
NROC69H Synaptic Organization of the Brain
NROC90H Supervised Study in Neuroscience
NROC93H Supervised Study in Neuroscience
NROD60H Current Topics in Neuroscience
NROD62H Neuroplasticity
NROD63H Advanced Neuroscience Laboratory
NROD65H Pathologies of the Nervous System
NROD98Y Thesis in Neuroscience
PSYD67H Psychobiology of Aging
A core course in animal physiology which will consider regulatory mechanisms that control and co-ordinate the functioning of the body.
Topics will include nerve action potentials, chemical synaptic transmission, contraction of striated muscle, neuromuscular systems, sensory receptors, and hormonal action. This course is the animal half of the Animal and Plant Physiology course, (BGYB30Y) and
should be taken by students not contemplating a Major or a Specialist Programme in Biology.
Two one-hour lectures per week, plus one two-hour tutorial every third week.
Exclusion: (BIOB17Y), BGYB30Y, ZOO252Y
Prerequisite: BGYA01Y (BIOA03Y)
In-depth coverage of the structure and function of the nervous system.
Topics include: neuroanatomy, structure and function of neurons and glial cells, neurochemistry, neural development, and neural mechanisms of communication at the cellular and molecular levels. The objective is to give the student a firm grasp of the structure and cellular/molecular bases of functions of the nervous system as well as its role in the behaviour of the organism.
Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week.
Exclusion: PSY290, (PSYB60H)
Prerequisite: BGYA01Y, PSYA01Y (CHMA02Y is recommended for students with no Chemistry background)
An examination of the adaptive changes in nervous system of invertebrates via examination of original scientific papers.
Topics include development and regeneration of claw
asymmetry in crustaceans, conversion of neuromuscular synapses
in crayfish, central control of gill withdrawal reflex in sea
slugs, co-transmission in sea slugs, reconnection of sensory neurons
in insects and leeches, and neuromuscular alterations in mutant
fruit flies. Topics may change from year to year.
One two-hour lecture per week and tutorials as required.
Exclusion: (BIOC31H)
Prerequisite: BGYB30Y or NROB30H or (BIOB17Y)
A. Mason
An examination of some aspects of the development of the vertebrate nervous system and mechanisms which guide this development.
Beginning with the embryonic development of the
nervous system, this course will address how neurons acquire their
trademark properties, grow out to target tissues and make appropriate
synaptic connections. Topics will include differentiation of nerve
cells, migration of neurons, nerve growth factor, neurotrophic
effects on muscle, synapse formation and the rearrangement of
neuronal connections.
One two-hour lecture per week and tutorials as required.
Exclusion: (BIOC32H)
Prerequisite: BGYB30Y or NROB30H or (BIOB17Y)
C.K. Govind
Topics covered under the category of motivation include: physiological basis of eating, drinking and sexual behaviour, sleep, and the neural correlates of reward. Topics covered under learning include: learning categories, memory systems, and the cell and molecular basis of learning and memory.
Three one-hour lectures plus one one-hour tutorial per week.
Exclusion: PSY291, (PSYC61H)
Prerequisite: NROB60H (PSYB60H) plus one other B-level half-course in PSY; [PSYB07H and PSYC08H are recommended.]
T.B.A.
Instruction in a variety of techniques used in investigations of nervous system function.
The course is mainly intended for students who are pursuing a Specialist Programme in Neuroscience. The procedures covered include: behavioural techniques, surgery, brain lesioning, perfusions, and histology (preparing, sectioning and staining neural tissue). In addition, animal ethics and preparation of scientific papers will be covered.
Two hours of lecture and three hours of scheduled
laboratory work per week. Students will also be required to spend
additional hours working in the student laboratory.
Limited enrolment: 30
Exclusion: PSY399, (PSYC63)
Prerequisite: PSYB07H & NROB60H (PSYB60H)
T. Petit
A focus on the mechanisms by which the nervous system processes sensory information and controls movement.
The topics include sensory transduction and the
sensory physiology for each of the sensory systems (olfactory,
visual, somatosensory, auditory, gustatory) and
models of sensory processing. Both spinal and central mechanisms of motor control are also covered.
Three one-hour lectures and one one-hour tutorial per week.
Exclusion: (PSYC64), PSY290
Prerequisite: NROB60H (PSYB60H)
A detailed study of the synaptic organization of the brain, focusing on major structures of the central nervous system (CNS).
Neuronal morphology, synaptic connectivity, and
molecular mechanisms of synaptic function, ion channels and neurotransmitter
actions will be covered in detail. Similarities in circuitry among
such seemingly diverse structures as the olfactory bulb, cerebellum,
hippocampus and cerebral cortex will be examined in detail. The
goal of the course is to engender a deeper understanding of cellular
mechanisms of information processing in the CNS.
One two-hour lecture per week.
Exclusion: (PSYC69H)
Prerequisite: NROB60H (PSYB60H)
G. Ivy
A reading or research project.
These courses provide an opportunity to investigate an area of neuroscience in depth after completing basic coverage in required courses. They are not intended as substitutes for advanced courses in fields where these are available. The student must demonstrate that his or her background is adequate for the project proposed and should present a clear rationale to prospective supervisors. Frequent consultation with the supervisor is necessary and extensive library research and/or data collection will be required. Such a project will culminate in a written submission.
Students must obtain a permission form from the Divisional Office (S421A) that is to be completed and signed by the intended supervisor, and returned to the Divisional Office. At that time, the student will be provided with an outline of the schedule and general requirements for the course.
Students seeking supervision off campus are further advised to verify first with the Supervisor of Studies that the prospective project supervisor currently holds a cross-appointment at the University of Toronto and that the project is acceptable.
Prerequisite: Three full-course equivalents in Psychology, Biology or Neuroscience & permission of the instructor.
Exclusions for NROC90: PSYC90, BGYD01 (BIOD0l)
Exclusions for NROC93: PSYC93, BGYD01 (BIOD0l)
Supervision by a faculty member
An intensive examination of selected issues and research
problems in the Neurosciences.
Limited enrolment: 20
Exclusion: PSY390H
Prerequisite: NROC61H (PSYC61H) & NROC64H (PSYC64H)
N.W. Milgram
Instruction in a variety of advanced techniques used in investigations of nervous system function.
The course is mainly intended for students who are pursuing a Specialist Programme in Neuroscience. Advanced behavioral, surgical, and histological techniques used in the study of neuroscience will be covered.
Two hours of lecture and three hours of scheduled
laboratory work per week. Students will also be required to spend
additional hours working in the student laboratory.
Exclusion: PSY399, (PSYC63)
Prerequisite: NROC63H
Corequisite: NROC61H (PSYC61) and PSYC08H
T. Petit
This course offers qualified students the opportunity to engage in a year-long research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Neuroscience area (Psychology or Biology). Students will meet as a group with the course co-ordinator to present their own research proposals, to appraise the proposals of others and to discuss the results of their investigation. Additional topics directly related to neuroscience research will also be discussed. The individual research project will culminate in a written report in the form of a thesis and an oral defence of that report in the spring.
Students must obtain a permission form from the Divisional Office (S421A) that is to be completed and signed by the intended supervisor, and returned to the Divisional Office. At that time, the student will be provided with an outline of the schedule and general requirements for the course. Students seeking supervision off campus are further advised to verify first with the Supervisor of Studies that the prospective project supervisor currently holds a cross-appointment at the University of Toronto.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of fifteen full-course equivalents in any discipline, but including PSYB07H & one laboratory half-course in Psychology or Biology & consent of a faculty member in Psychology or Biology to serve as research supervisor.
Exclusions: PSYD98Y, BGYD02Y (BIOD02Y)
Supervision by a Faculty Member
Prerequisite: NROB60H (PSYB60H) & PSYB65H
Corequisite: NROC61H
Full Listing of Courses Not Offered
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