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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.


Graduate Course Offerings

NEU 521 - Introduction to Cellular Neuroscience. 
The course covers general principles of membrane excitability, of the relationship between structure and function of ion channels and principles of synaptic transmission and regulation of neurons' input/output function.

NEU 522 - Introduction to Molecular Neuroscience. 
The course provides general principles of neuronal signaling including G-protein signaling, second messenger systems and gene expression and the modulation of these functions by neuronal activity.

NEU 531: Sensory and motor systems
This course introduces students to current debates on sensory and motor systems. Topics and areas covered include: general principles of sensory and motor coding, sensory systems (somatosensation, audition, vision, taste and olfaction), voluntary control of movement, modulation of movement by cerebellum and basal ganglia.​

NEU 532: Neural Plasticity, Learning and Memory
This course introduces students to the link between plasticity, learning and memory. Topics covered include: synaptic plasticity, synaptic homeostasis, brain connectivity, neurogenesis, aversive and reward learning, addiction.

BNB 551 Writing Neuroscience, Fall
An intensive writing course designed to learn how to write fellowship and grant proposals.

BNB 555 Laboratory Rotations in Neuroscience, Fall & Spring
Course for doctoral students in Neuroscience in which students participate in three formal laboratory rotations in program faculty laboratories during the first year.  Students 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.

BNB 560 Introduction to Mammalian Neuroanatomy, Winter
This course consists of a visual presentations and supplemental lectures providing an overview of the structural organization of the nervous system. The mammalian 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.

BNB 562 Introduction to Neuroscience II, Spring
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, Fall

In this 12 hour module course, students will work with an identified faculty preceptor on an agreed upon topic of interest. 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)

BNB 564 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience II, Spring
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’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

BNB 599 Research, Fall and Spring
Original investigation undertaken with supervision of a member of the Program in Neuroscience.

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
Students attend weekly seminar presentations typically given by visiting speakers. Seminars include sub-series of three to four lectures that focus on a particular topic in contemporary neuroscience.

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.