Courses of Study
Requirements in Full
A brief overview of the requirements and organization of doctoral training in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. They are intended to give prospective students an overview of the structure of our program and to help guide present students through the sequence of requirements.
Requirements in Detail
A detailed overview of the requirements and organization of doctoral training in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. They provide more detailed information about the structure of our program and sequence of requirements. These guidelines went into effect with the Fall 2005 entering class.
Required Courses
- BNB 551: Writing Neuroscience
- BNB 555: Laboratory Rotations in Neuroscience
- NEU 521: Introduction to Cellular Neuroscience
- NEU 522: Introduction to Molecular Neuroscience
- BNB 562: Systems Neuroscience
- BNB 565: Advanced Neuroscience
- BNB 566: Neurobiology of Disease Seminar
- BNB 567: Statistics and Data Analysis for Neuroscience I: Foundations
Electives
- BNB 563: Advanced Topics in Neuroscience Individual Learning Plans
- BNB 564: Advanced Topics in Neuroscience Curriculum Development
- BNB 568: Statistics and Data Analysis in Neuroscience II: Applications
Course Descriptions
NEU 521 - Introduction to Cellular Neuroscience
The course introduces students to basic principles of cellular neuroscience. Topics
covered include the ionic basis of resting potentials and electrical excitability,
the structure, function and molecular biology of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in MS program
Offered Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
NEU 522 - Introduction to Molecular Neuroscience
The course introduces students to basic principles of molecular neuroscience. Topics
covered include the signal transduction, regulation of neural gene expression and
human neural genetic diseases.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in MS program
Offered Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
Second of two-semester core course introducing students to basic principles of neuroscience. The major focus is systems neuroscience. Topics covered include analyses of all major sensory systems, motor systems, and systems mediating higher order, cognitive functions in the nervous system.
4 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BNB 551 Writing Neuroscience
Seminar course for doctoral students in Neuroscience providing practical instruction
in written communication in Neuroscience. Topics include writing effective abstracts,
cover letters, figure captions, and grant specific aims, among others.
1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 555 Laboratory Rotations in Neuroscience
Course for doctoral students in Neuroscience in which students participate in three
formal laboratory rotations in program faculty laboratories during the first year.
Student make oral presentations for each rotation. Instruction is provided in how
to organize and present material in a seminar format, including the proper use of
visual aids. Enrollment restricted to students in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience.
Fall and Spring, 0-5 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.
BNB 560: Introduction to Mammalian Neuroanatomy
This course consists of a visual presentations and supplemental lectures providing
an overview of the structural organization of the nervous system. The human nervous
system and its sensory, motor and cognitive components are emphasized. Opportunities
for examination of whole brains and histological sections, and some hands-on experience
with basic neuroanatomical techniques may also be available.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in MS program
Offered Spring, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BNB 562 Introduction to Neuroscience II
Second of a two-semester core course introducing students to basic principles of neuroscience.
The major focus is systems neuroscience. Topics covered include analyses of all of
the major sensory systems, motor systems, and systems mediating higher order, cognitive
functions in the nervous system.
BNB 563 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience I
In this 12 hour module course, students will work with an identified faculty preceptor
on an agreed upon topic of interest. Agreement of preceptor and an outline of the
topic must be submitted to and approved by the Course Director in order for students
to register for this class. Students and preceptors will work together to develop
a reading list (minimum 6-10 papers) from the primary literature that adequately covers
the topic. Students will present two or more of these papers in journal club format
to the preceptor and to a larger group, e.g., a lab group, as applicable. Students
will also synthesize their readings into a written report that follows one of the
following Nature Reviews Neuroscience formats (below, but strict adherence to word
limits, reference numbers, etc., is NOT expected). NOTE: Students and their research
faculty mentors are strongly encouraged to consider using this as a vehicle for beginning
to develop the Introduction to the thesis/thesis proposal.
Offered Fall, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.
BNB 564 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience II
In this 12 hour module course, students will work with an identified faculty preceptor
on an agreed upon topic of interest that addresses a gap in the current Graduate Program
in Neuroscience curriculum. Agreement of preceptor and an outline of the topic selected
must be submitted to and approved by the Course Director in order for students to
register for this class. Students and preceptors will work together to develop a course
based on the selected topic. Students will first investigate principles of curricular
design. They will follow these in generating a course description, a list of overall
learning objectives, and a detailed syllabus that identifies the titles, learning
objectives and required background readings for each of the course sessions. Required
readings much include both texts and the primary literature. Students will also generate
the in-class materials for at least two class sessions. One must be a Powerpoint for
a standard lecture, and one must be any materials needed for some form of active learning
(individual or group) of the material. Finally, students must identify the means that
students will be evaluated, and identify how these methods will demonstrate achievement
of the stated learning objectives, keeping in mind that the form of evaluation will
differ depending on whether objectives are related to knowledge, skills, etc. NOTE:
Students and their research faculty mentors are strongly encouraged to consider using
this as a vehicle for delving deeply into a topic or technique of interest that is
relevant to the thesis/thesis proposal.
Offered Fall, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 565: Advanced Neuroscience
A modular course introducing concepts in the development of the nervous system. Topics
can include neuroembryology, neuronal differentiation, synapse formation, and specificity
and plasticity of connections in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Offered Fall, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 566 Neurobiology of Disease, Spring
This advanced seminar course is coordinated with the Neurobiology of Disease lecture
series hosted by the Program in Neuroscience each Spring semester. The Program invites 5-6 distinguished
scientists to present research seminars organized around the broad topic of neurobiological
and neurological diseases. Students read and discuss papers recommended by the guest
speakers. This course also provides students the opportunity to meet with the guest
seminar speakers.
Offered Spring, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated 1 times FOR credit.
BNB 567 - Statistics and Data Analysis for Neuroscience I: Foundations
This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles and methods of the
statistical analysis of neural and behavioral data. A major focus of the course will
be on how to properly design experiments to test hypotheses, how to avoid common misconceptions
and errors in data analysis and how to report statistics correctly in manuscripts
submitted for publication. This course will aim at providing a rigorous foundation
of general statistical principles that can be applied generally, with an emphasis
on material of high relevance to biology and neuroscience. A companion course (Statistics
and Data Analysis in Neuroscience II: Applications) will turn to selected applications
to neuroscience. The students will also have the opportunity to hone their statistics
skills by analyzing different types of datasets (genetic, molecular, cellular, synaptic,
imaging, spike and behavioral) in the MATLAB (or similar) computing environment.
Offered Fall, 2 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
BNB 568: Statistics and Data Analysis in Neuroscience II: Applications
BNB 597 Seminar Themes, Fall
This course focuses on current research topics in neuroscience and is integrated with
the Nueroscience Seminar Series. It is centered on a common research theme. Students
discuss manuscripts, attend seminars and meet with outside speakers.
Offered Fall/Spring, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
May be repeated 2 times FOR credit.
BNB 599 Research, Fall and Spring
Original investigation undertaken with supervision of a member of the Program in Neuroscience.
Fall and Spring, 1-12 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 655 Neuropharmacology, Spring, even years
An advanced course for graduate students interested in developing an understanding
of neuropharmacology. Following a general introduction to the nerve cell structure,
synaptic and chemical transmission, three themes receptors, receptors as channels,
and G-protein-coupled receptors are developed. Recent advances in cell and molecular
biology provide the framework for instruction and discussion.
BNB 697, Neuroscience Seminar Series, Fall and Spring
Seminar presentations delivered by faculty, associates, students and visiting speakers.
Fall and Spring, 0-2 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 699 Dissertation Research on Campus, Fall and Spring
Original investigations undertaken as part of the Ph.D. program under the supervision of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: Must be advanced to candidacy (G5). Major portion of research must take place on SBU campus, at Cold Spring Harbor, or at the Brookhaven National Lab.
Fall, Spring, and Summer, 1-9 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit.
BNB 700: Dissertation Research off Campus - Domestic
Prerequisite: Must be advanced to candidacy (G5). Major portion of research will take place off-campus, but in the United States and/or U.S. provinces. Please note, Brookhaven National Labs and the Cold Spring Harbor Lab are considered on-campus. All international students must enroll in one of the graduate student insurance plans and should be advised by an International Advisor.
Fall, Spring, 1-9 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Must be advanced to candidacy (G5). Major portion of research will take place outside of the United States and/or U.S. provinces. Domestic students have the option of the health plan and may also enroll in MEDEX. International students who are in their home country are not covered by mandatory health plan and must contact the Insurance Office for the insurance charge to be removed. International students who are not in their home country are charged for the mandatory health insurance. If they are to be covered by another insurance plan they must file a waiver be second week of classes. The charge will only be removed if other plan is deemed comparable.
All international students must received clearance from an International Advisor.
Fall, Spring, 1-9 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit.
