Neurobiology of Stress, Adversity, and Resilience (325-0-20)

Instructors

Catherine Woolley
847/491-3025
Pancoe - Room 2-407
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 am - 12:00 pm or by appointment

Meeting Info

Technological Institute M349: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course combines lectures with in-class discussion of primary research literature. Course content draws on primary literature on scientific knowledge of 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. In-class quizzes, an oral presentation and an experiment proposal submitted in a combination of written and graphical form 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 experiment proposal (20% of grade) will be adjusted. Graduate students will be required to submit an expanded justification and analysis of the proposed experiment including its limitations. Evaluation of the experiment proposal for graduate students will emphasize the scientific reasoning that supports the proposed experiment and interpretation of potential outcomes as they inform the hypothesis underlying the experiment. Separate grading rubrics for the undergraduate and graduate versions of the experiment proposal 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, in-class quizzes, oral presentation, and experiment proposal submitted in a combination of written and graphical form.

For graduate students enrolled in NEUROSCI 325-0, requirements for and evaluation of the experiment proposal (20% of grade) will be adjusted. Graduate students will be required to submit an expanded justification and analysis of the proposed experiment including its limitations. Evaluation of the experiment proposal for graduate students will emphasize the scientific reasoning that supports the proposed experiment and interpretation of potential outcomes as they inform the hypothesis underlying the experiment. Separate grading rubrics for the undergraduate and graduate versions of the experiment proposal 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. No Final Exam.

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.