Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience (325-0-20)
Instructors
Catherine S Woolley
847/491-3025
Pancoe - Room 2-407
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 am - 12:00 pm or by appointment
Meeting Info
Technological Institute F280: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
This writing-intensive course combines lectures and in-class discussion. Course content draws from primary literature on the neurobiology of healthy and toxic stress, including individual differences in stress susceptibility and resilience, to explore biological mechanisms by which stress and adversity can influence health and other outcomes. An oral presentation and final paper are required. This class may be used as a Group B elective or as an Allied Field in Biology.
Registration Requirements
Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.
Learning Objectives
(1) To acquire knowledge of biological mechanisms by which the brain interprets and responds to stress and the influence of these mechanisms on behavior.
(2) To understand the principles, utility, and limitations of neuroscientific methods commonly used to study the neurobiology of stress.
(3) To develop the ability to critically evaluate and discuss evidence presented in published scientific literature on the neurobiology of stress.
(4) To develop the ability to effectively communicate neuroscientific information and ideas orally and in writing.
For graduate students enrolled in NEUROSCI 325-0, requirements for and evaluation of the final paper (35% of grade) will be adjusted. Graduate students will be required to submit a 15-page final paper (compared to 10 pages for undergraduates), with an expanded ‘Proposed Experiment' section. Evaluation of the final paper for the graduate students will emphasize scientific reasoning that supports the Proposed Experiment and analysis of potential outcomes as they inform the hypothesis underlying the experiment. Separate grading rubrics for the undergraduate and graduate versions of the final paper will be presented to the whole class to clarify distinct expectations for each group.
Evaluation Method
Written analyses of primary research articles, class attendance and participation, oral presentation, final paper
For graduate students enrolled in NEUROSCI 325-0, requirements for and evaluation of the final paper (35% of grade) will be adjusted. Graduate students will be required to submit a 15-page final paper (compared to 10 pages for undergraduates), with an expanded ‘Proposed Experiment' section. Evaluation of the final paper for the graduate students will emphasize scientific reasoning that supports the Proposed Experiment and analysis of potential outcomes as they inform the hypothesis underlying the experiment. Separate grading rubrics for the undergraduate and graduate versions of the final paper will be presented to the whole class to clarify distinct expectations for each group.
Class Materials (Required)
Readings from the primary literature and reviews will be provided. No textbook required.
Class Materials (Suggested)
None
Class Notes
This class may be used as a Group B elective or as an Allied Field of Biology.
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisites: NEUROSCI 202-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or NEUROSCI 311-0 and NEUROSCI 206-0; or BIOL_SCI 302-0.