Neurobiology

Professor John E. Dowling, Head Tutor

Neurobiology is the science of how the nervous system organizes behavior. This singular question has spawned a field of study with remarkable vertical range. It investigates phenomena on vastly different scales, from molecules to societies, and draws on many of the classical disciplines for experimental tools and explanatory frameworks.

For example, the function of an individual nerve cell is largely determined by channel and receptor proteins in the cell membrane. These are the domains of biochemistry and biophysics. Specialized neural structures like the synapse, and the unique nerve cell shapes that allow for a vast number of connections with other neurons, are the province of cell biology. At the level of neural circuits, where many thousands of neurons interact, collective phenomena arise that require a different approach. Contributions from physics and engineering have been successful here, by providing tools to observe the brain's activity patterns, and analysis methods to understand them. On the scale of the entire organism, approaches from psychology, genetics, and behavioral biology are essential to investigate the rules and patterns of behavior and ultimately to link them to biological brain functions. Along the way, one is forced to contemplate how complex nervous systems can arise, questions that lie in the domain of evolutionary and developmental biology. Finally, there are increasing efforts in computer science to draw on insights from neurobiology in making machines that mimic functions of the brain.

The neurobiology concentration has its natural hub in the life sciences but emphasizes a solid grounding in other relevant fields. The only prerequisite for students entering this concentration is an intense curiosity about how the brain works. By following this single-"minded" focus, the student will in fact obtain a generalist education in the natural sciences. This provides a broad preparation for advanced studies in any of the life sciences or medicine.

The typical curriculum begins with a series of foundation courses in life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics. A central course on "Neurobiology of Behavior," MCB 80, then lays out the corpus of knowledge and how it connects to other disciplines. In elective courses, students explore specific areas more deeply. Neuroscience is also one of the most vibrant fields of research at Harvard, and advanced students will have many opportunities for hands-on laboratory experience and independent research projects.

For information on the secondary field in Neurobiology, please see page 360 of this Handbook or the secondary fields website (www.secondaryfields.fas.harvard.edu/Neuro/program-desc-neuro.htm).

REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements: 13 half-courses

Required courses:

1. Eight half-courses in biology and neuroscience:
1. Life Sciences 1a and Life Sciences 1b.
2. One half-course chosen from MCB 52, MCB 54, OEB 53, or Life Sciences 2.
3. MCB 80 (formerly Biological Sciences 80).
4. OEB 57.
5. Three advanced half-courses in neurobiology (chosen from a list maintained on the concentration website; at least one of these courses should address behavior).
2. Five half-courses in related fields:
1. Three half-courses in physical sciences (Ordinarily these courses include PS1, PS2, PS3, Chem 17, Chem 20, Chem 27, Chem 30, Chem 40, Chem 60, Physics 11 series, or Physics 15 series).
2. Two half-courses in mathematics (above the level of Math 1a).
3. Other Information:
1. Advanced Placement: Ordinarily the Neurobiology concentration does not give AP credit. Students with very strong science backgrounds should meet with the concentration adviser or the Head Tutor for advice on course placement. Students who place out of Math 1b need to take only one math course instead of two; however, this does not reduce the total number of courses required for the concentration.
2. Pass/Fail: All requirements for the concentration must be taken for letter-grade credit.
3. Tutorials: Different Neurobiology 95hf courses (formerly Biology 95hf) are offered each year. These tutorials are considered advanced Neurobiology courses and may fulfill the "behavior" requirement for an advanced course. Neurobiology 95hf courses (half-course throughout the year) cannot be divided or combined for credit. Tutorial seminars that are offered in 2007-08 are listed in the Courses of Instruction.

Requirements for Honors Eligibility:
14 half-courses

1. Required courses:
1. Same as Basic Requirements 1 & 2.
2. Half-course in independent research (normally Neurobiology 98). No more than three supervised research half-courses may be taken for concentration credit. Any supervised research courses undertaken with mentors outside of MCB or the Committee on Degrees in Neurobiology should be co-sponsored by a Neurobiology concentration faculty member (your faculty adviser assumes this role by default, unless someone more suitable can be found), who is responsible for assigning the course grade in consultation with your mentor.
2. Tutorial: Neurobiology 95hf, recommended but not required (see 3c above).
3. Thesis: Required for Highest Honors in Field. Optional for award of Honors or High Honors in Field. The thesis is based on original research in neurobiology and is ordinarily conducted in the laboratory. Students may also take Neurobiology 99r, the thesis-writing course, but it is not required. Theses undertaken with mentors outside of MCB or the Committee on Degrees in Neurobiology should be co-sponsored by a Neurobiology faculty member (your faculty adviser assumes this role by default unless someone more suitable can be found). All students planning to submit a senior thesis must submit a short thesis proposal. The thesis proposal is usually submitted during the spring term of junior year. The thesis proposal form is available at the concentration website or from the Life Sciences Undergraduate Office. Members of the Committee on Degrees in Neurobiology evaluate theses based on input from mentor, co-sponsor, and other readers.

ADVISING

Dr. Jonathan Matsui, concentration adviser for Neurobiology, is available to provide concentrators and pre-concentrators guidance on course selection, laboratory research, and fulfilling concentration requirements. Visit www.lifescience.fas.harvard.edu/concentrations/ or contact Dr. Matsui (BioLabs Room 1082a, 617-495-0758, jmatsui@fas.harvard.edu) for more information. The Head Tutor and members of the Committee on Degrees in Neurobiology also provide mentoring on academic and career issues.

For up-to-date information on advising in Neurobiology, please see the Advising Programs Office website: www.fas.harvard.edu/~advising/concentrations/Neurobiology.html.

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

Head Tutor of Neurobiology: Professor John Dowling, BioLabs Room 2081, 16 Divinity Ave, 617-495-2245, dowling@mcb.harvard.edu. Concentration adviser: Dr. Jonathan Matsui, Biolabs 1082a, 16 Divinity Ave., 617-495-0758, jmatsui@fas.harvard.edu. More information about the Neurobiology concentration can also be found at www.lifescience.fas.harvard.edu/concentrations/.

ENROLLMENT STATISTICS

Number of Concentrators as of November