2025-2026 Academic Year

Fall 2025

PSYC 325 Res Meth in Behav Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience, also known as Biological Psychology, is the study of the anatomical, chemical, and physiological mechanisms of behavior in humans and other animals. The underlying premise of Biological psychology is that no external behavioral event can take place unless there is a corresponding set of internal events involving the biochemical and electrochemical activity of the nervous system. In this course, students will learn about various research methods used in behavioral neuroscience, such as experimental methods in lab and field, quasi-experimental methods, and observational methods. We will discuss the application of these methods to research in behavioral neuroscience, as well as related topics of validity, measurement, and research ethics. This intensive lab course will culminate in the design and implementation of an original research project in the area of behavioral neuroscience. Three hours classroom plus three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisites: 110, 125, or 130, 210 & 211; OR BIOL 132, PSYC 125 and NRSC 200.

PSYC 425 The Evolution of Memory Syst
In this class, we will explore The Evolution of Memory Systems. Humans have different types of memory that rely on different brain structures. But why? Across 700 million years of evolution, we will explore how brains have changed (or not) in our ancestors, what ecological problems those ancestors faced, and what representations those altered brain areas encode in modern species. To become experts in this topic, students will practice presenting, discussing, evaluating, and proposing novel research about current primary-source research on memory systems. The end result will be a novel understanding of not just how our brains represent information in so many ways, but why.