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Graduate Calendar 2009-2010
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Neuroscience

Life Sciences Research Building 325
Telephone: 613-520-4020
Fax: 613-520-4052
carleton.ca/neuroscience

The Institute

Director: H. Anisman

Neuroscience is a dynamic academic discipline that includes physiological, anatomical, biochemical, and behavioural studies of the nervous system. At Carleton University, graduate neuroscience research and training are coordinated by the Institute of Neuroscience. Both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees, with a Specialization in Behavioural Neuroscience, are offered through either the Departments of Psychology or Biology with supervision by one of the faculty members of the Institute.

Members of the Institute

  • A. Abizaid, Sensory and hormonal control of feeding, reproduction, and behavioural rhythms
  • H. Anisman, Stress, brain-immune interactions, depression
  • R. Bergeron, Learning and memory neurodegeneration (Adjunct)
  • W. Bowers, Behavioural toxicology (Adjunct)
  • J. Cheetham, Membrane biochemistry, neurotransmitter release
  • S. Hayley, Parkinson's disease, interactions between brain and immune system
  • M. Holahan, Neurobiology of learning and memory, brain aging
  • J. Kelly, Central auditory system, electrophysiology and behaviour
  • D. McIntyre, Epilepsy, kindling, learning and memory
  • Z. Merali, Peptides, feeding behaviour (Adjunct)
  • B. Pappas, Brain Development, dementia, Ischemia
  • M. Poulter, Electrophysiology, neurochemistry, molecular (Adjunct)
  • J. Stead, Gene expression in depression and during brain development
  • W. Willmore, Hypoxia, stroke, ischemia and Alzheimer's disease
  • S. Hui Wu, Auditory brainstem, brain slice neurophysiology
  • J. Yack, Neuroethology
  • R.M. Zacharko, Intracranial self-stimulation, stress, depression, dopamine, anhedonia

Specialization in Behavioural Neuroscience

Coordinator of the Specialization: H. Anisman

Application for admission, scholarships, and teaching assistantships should be made through either the Departments of Psychology or Biology, whichever is most appropriate to a student's research interest, and should indicate the intention to specialize in behavioural neuroscience. This specialization is a collaboration of the Departments of Psychology and Biology at Carleton University, the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and the Institute of Mental Health Research (Psychiatry) at the University of Ottawa. It is intended to augment the research and training which the student receives and to provide opportunity in clinical neuroscience.

Master's Program

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's neuroscience specialization are as follows:

  • Prior admission to the master's program of the Psychology or Biology department.
  • A letter of recommendation to the Director of the Institute from a faculty member of the Institute of Neuroscience, indicating the willingness of the faculty member to supervise the candidate's research program.

Students with less than a high honours average in their undergraduate and graduate courses will not normally be recommended for admission.

Program Requirements

  • Fulfilment of the requirements of the master's program of either Psychology or Biology Department;
  • Successful completion of PSYC 5200 (BIOL 5304);
  • Thesis research must concern a neuroscience topic and be supervised by a member of the Institute.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to the Ph.D. neuroscience specialization are as follows:

  • Successful completion of PSYC 5200 or equivalent;
  • Prior admission to the Ph.D. program of the Psychology or Biology department;
  • A letter of recommendation from a participating faculty member of the neuroscience specialization, indicating the willingness of the faculty member to supervise the candidate's research program;
  • Students with less than a high honours standing in their undergraduate and graduate courses will not normally be recommended for admission.

Program Requirements

Fulfilment of the requirements of the Ph.D. program of either the Psychology or Biology Department.

A credit in Neuroscience Techniques (PSYC 6204) may be substituted for one of the following 0.5-credit courses normally required to satisfy the Psychology Ph.D. program requirements in statistics: PSYC 5401, PSYC 5402, PSYC 5403, PSYC 5406.

Successful completion of PSYC 6202 and PSYC 6203 (BIOL 6305 and BIOL 6306), and at least one credit in PSYC 6204 (BIOL 6204).

Thesis research must concern a neuroscience topic and be supervised by a member of the Institute.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Neuroscience courses are available through the primary departments. Course offerings vary slightly from year to year and a complete listing can be obtained from the specialization coordinator.

Following are the core courses of the curriculum:

PSYC 5200 [1.0 credit] (BIOL 5304)
Basics of Neuroscience
A comprehensive neuroscience course from cellular levels to neural systems and behaviours presented through a series of seminars and colloquia. Topics will include aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuro-pharmacology and behavioural and cognitive neuroscience. Also listed as PSY 6201 at the University of Ottawa.
PSYC 6202 [0.5 credit] (BIOL 6305)
Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience I
A comprehensive pro-seminar series, covering issues ranging from cellular and molecular processes through to neural systems and behaviours as well as psychopathology.
Precludes additional credit for PSYC 6200 [1.0].
Prerequisite: PSYC 5200.
PSYC 6203 [0.5 credit] (BIOL6306)
Advanced Seminar in Neuroscience II
A comprehensive proseminar series, covering issues ranging from cellular and molecular processes through to neural systems and behaviours as well as psychopathology.
Precludes additional credit for PSYC 6200 [1.0].
Prerequisite: PSYC 5200.
PSYC 6204 [0.5 credit] (BIOL 6204)
Neuroscience Techniques
Completion of a research project carried out under the supervision of a neuroscience faculty member. The student will learn a new neuroscience technique and apply it to a research objective. May be repeated for different projects. Students must obtain approval from the Director of the Neuroscience Specialization.
PSYC 6300 [0.5 credit]
Special Topics in Psychology
An in-depth study of current topics in neuroscience. Course content varies yearly and has recently included cognitive neuroscience, neuropharmacology, neurodegeneration, behavioural medicine and molecular neuroscience.