Tatiana Schnieder

Neuroscience is the science of what makes us who we are. Our sensations, emotions, movements, sleep, memories, and other complex behaviors all arise from the nervous system. This course will explore how cellular, molecular, and network mechanisms make these behaviors not only possible but seemingly effortless. We will begin with functional neuroanatomy, tracing a paradigm shift from viewing the brain as a patchwork of specialized regions to understanding it as a dynamic, probabilistic system of interconnected networks. Next, we will examine how neurons transmit information and how our conception of neural function has evolved from seeing neurons as narrowly specialized units to recognizing them as plastic, broadly tuned cells capable of responding to diverse stimuli. We will also explore how the brain generates sensations, perceptions, and illusions that allow us to navigate, learn from, and adapt to our environment. This knowledge extends to the endocrine and immune systems, which continuously interact with the brain to regulate behavior. Finally, the course will consider higher-order cognitive functions and examine how disruptions at molecular, cellular, or systems levels can lead to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Approaches to restore or enhance brain function—from pharmaceutical treatments to brain-computer interfaces—will also be discussed. Students will engage in active learning through in-class, small-group exercises that complement lecture material. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of the principles of neuroscience and prepare them for further study in neuroscience, physiology, and medicine.