Duke University 2009-2010 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

265.2 Interaction of radiation with nanostructured matter
310. Nanomechanics: From Molecules to Materials
Physics
246S. Physical Approaches to the Living Cell
307. Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
310. Advanced Solid State Physics
346. Introduction to Electronic Nanophysics
Neurobiology
Professor McNamara, Chair (101I Bryan Research Building); Professor Mooney, Director of Graduate Studies (427D
Bryan Research Building); Professors Abou-Donia, Augustine, Bennett, Boustany, Caron, Chikaraishi, Ehlers,
Fitzpatrick, Flanagan, Grill, Haglund, W. C. Hall, McClay, Mooney, Nadler, Nicolelis, Nowicki, Purves, Roses, Simon,
Slotkin, Strittmatter, Turner, Warner, and Wong; Associate Professors Cant, Corless, Feng, Groh, Guzeldere, Jarvis,
Laskowitz, Lo, McKinnon, Pitt, Platt, Skene, Song, Westel, Woldorff; Assistant Professors Adamson, Adcock, Calakos,
George, Huettel, Jiang, Kuo, Lascola, Liedtke, Matsunami, Raghavachari, Soderling, Tracey, Wang, Wechsler-Reya,
West, Yasuda, White; Associate Research Professors Madison and Vitek; Assistant Research Professors Alzate, Gloss,
Voyvodic; Associate Adjunct Professor Reinhart; Assistant Adjunct Professors Williams, Xiong, and Yakel
At a time when many questions in biology have been eloquently answered, both scientists and the public correctly
perceive that the brain remains, in fundamental ways, a profound mystery. During the last century tremendous
advances have been made in understanding the structure, function, chemistry, and development of the brain.
Nonetheless, in both biology and medicine, broad and important questions about this complex organ remain to be
answered. These include how genetic instructions are linked to brain development, the basis of learning and memory,
the nature of consciousness, and the etiology and proper treatment of neurological diseases such as epilepsy,
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
The ways in which neurobiologists approach these problems, while generally reductionist, are diverse. Preeminent
are the techniques of molecular biology and molecular genetics, a host of sophisticated imaging and electrophysiological
methods for detecting the activity of individual nerve cells or groups of nerve cells, and a wealth of anatomical
methods for seeing the structure and connections of nerve cells. Novel and increasingly noninvasive means of imaging
the nervous system—by functional nuclear magnetic resonance (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or
activity-related magnetic fields—also hold great promise for better understanding the brain. Despite the power of these
methods, progress in neurobiology—much as progress in any science—will depend on a few important insights arising
from the imagination of neuroscientists who think deeply about these issues.
Neuroscience at Duke is pursued in a variety of departments and setting, all of which are possible sites for students
who wish to be trained in this field. Although much of this research is carried out in the Department of Neurobiology
at Duke University Medical Center, several clinical and arts and sciences departments also have faculty that perform
neuroscience research. There are now more than sixty faculty members associated with the graduate program in
neurobiology at Duke. A large and diverse body of students and other professionals are also engaged in neurobiological
research.
Students in the graduate program take a core curriculum that covers the major subfields of contemporary neurobiology,
but students are generally free to pursue—with the help of faculty advisors—a course of study tailored to their
needs, backgrounds, and individual interests. The core courses in the Department of Neurobiology are Basic Neurobiology
(202), Student Seminar (280), Concepts in Neuroscience I (319), Concepts in Neuroscience II (320), Frontiers in
Neuroscience (325), and Neurobiology Journal Club (326).
For additional information, please visit our Web site at: neurobiology.mc.duke.edu or send an e-mail to
nbgrad@neuro.duke.edu.
Neurobiology (NEUROBIO)
202. Basic Neurobiology. A systematic introduction to the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system.
Neuroanatomy course for first-year Neurobiology graduate students. Offered in conjunction with first-year course for
Medical students. Lectures, laboratory, exercises, clinical presentations, and problem-solving conferences. Neurobiology
students will participate in general sessions with Medical students. Separate labs will be conducted specifically for
Neurobiology students. Meets 9am to 5pm, weekdays, during the month of January. Permission of directors required.
Course directors: Adamson and Platt. 4 units.
210. Independent Study. Directed reading and research in neurobiology. Course intended primarily for upper-level
undergraduate students. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.
212. Research Independent Study. Individual research and reading of the primary literature in a field of special interest,
under the supervision of a faculty member, the major product of which is a substantive paper or written report containing
significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Staff.
3 units.
241. Introduction to Theoretical Neuroscience. Mathematical introduction to the biophysics and circuits underlying
biological and neural computation. Topics covered include neural coding at single cell and population level. Reverse
Departments, Programs, and Course Offerings 171