Course Coordinator: 
Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama

The course provides an understanding of the neuronal mechanisms that underlie animal behavior. We will study the neuronal mechanisms for specialized animal behaviors such as sensory processing, motor pattern generation, and learning by reading original papers, which also provide an understanding of experimental technique. The course further discusses the evolutionary strategy and the biological ideas of animal behavior and underlying neuronal mechanisms.

To introduce an understanding of the neuronal mechanisms that control complex animal behavior.
Course Content: 
  1. Introduction (Basic Neurophysiology and neuronal circuits)
  2. Sensory information I: Visual and Auditory (map formation, plasticity and critical period, etc.)
  3. Sensory information II: Olfactory (Chemical) and other senses
  4. Sensory perception and integration I (Echolocation, Sound localization, etc.)
  5. Sensory perception and integration II (Sensory navigation, etc.)
  6. Motor control I (Stereotyped behavior)
  7. Motor control II (Central pattern generator)
  8. Sexually dimorphic behavior
  9. Learning I (Learning and memory)
  10. Learning II (Associative learning)
  11. Learning III (Sensory motor learning during development)
  12. Learning VI  (Spatial navigation)
  13. Behavioral plasticity and the critical period
  14. Recent techniques in neuroethology
Course Type: 
Homework, 20%; Written reports, 4 x 20%.
Text Book: 
Behavioral Neurobiology, by Thomas J Carew (2000) Sinauer
Prior Knowledge: 

Required: B26 Introduction to Neuroscience or similar (demonstrated by passing the B26 exam)