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Any one of the following courses fulfills the Neuroscience ‘Foundational’ course requirement for the ‘Neurobiology’ and ‘MBB’ tracks (‘Computational Neuroscience students must take Neuro 105, 115, or 120). Additional courses from this category can be used to fulfill the ‘Advanced Neuroscience Elective’ courses requirement.
Neuro 115: Cellular Basis of Neuronal Function
Biophysical and cell biological approaches to excitability, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. This course includes hands-on component for students to learn patch clamp and extracellular recording techniques. – Dr. Draft & Dr. Quast, Q Report
Neuro 120: Introductory Computational Neuroscience
This course introduces students to abstract models of what and how neurons compute and concrete analyses of real neurons in action. Topics include network models of sensory processing and memory, and techniques to compare these models with real experimental data. This course will emphasize students’ contributions and classroom interactions. Programming projects will be a significant aspect of the course, so programming experience (Python, Matlab) is recommended. Familiarity—but not expertise—with linear algebra will be assumed. – Dr. Penikis, Q report
These courses are recommended for juniors and capped at 12 students. They provide an opportunity to learn from a professional neuroscientist in a small group setting, to explore important research topics that are not covered in depth in other courses, and to become comfortable reading primary scientific literature and analyzing scientific data. Neuroscience concentrators and secondary students may only count one tutorial towards those requirements.
Note: There will be 8 tutorials offered for the 2024-25 academic year – 4 in the fall and 4 in the spring. All courses are centrally lotteried by the Neuroscience concentration (see below).
You can and should shop multiple tutorials. To enroll in a tutorial:
Neuro 101V: Sculpting Activity: How Inhibition Shapes the Brain in Health and Disease – Dr. Saad Hannan, Q report
Neuro 101W: Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience – Dr. Sara Beach, Q report
Neuro 101Y: Neuropharmacology of Pain – Dr. Rasheen Powell, Q report
Neuro 101L: Sleep Talk: Unraveling the Mystery of Sleep – Dr. Tony Cunningham, Q report
Neuro 101X : Stress Resilience & Susceptibility: Mechanisms & Models – Dr. Dominika Burek, Q report
Neuro 101Z: Brains and Bytes: Neuroprosthetics, brain-computer interfaces, and artificial intelligence (New course), Dr. Egzona Morina
Neuro 101AA: Alzheimer’s Disease: causes and consequences of brain degeneration (New Course) – Dr. Ted Zwang
Biomedical Engineering 131: Neuroengineering – Dr. Liu, Q report
Neuro 145: Neurobiology of Perception and Decision Making – neural circuits underlying perception and behavior – Dr. Uchida, Q Report
Neuro 175: Principles of Cell Physiology – Dr. Bellono, Q report
Psychology 1201: Your Brain on Drugs: Psychopharmacology – Dr. Lukas, Q Report
Psychology 1304: Brain Damage as a Window into the Mind: Cognitive Neuropsychology – Dr. Caramazza, Q Report
[Psychology 1309: Essentials of fMRI for Cognitive Neuroscientists] – Dr. Konkle, Q report– not offered 2024-’25
[Psychology 1451:Debugging the brain: Computational Approaches to Mental Dysfunction] – not offered 2024-’25
This course examines recent work applying computational models to mental disorders]. – Dr. Gershman, Q Report
[Biomedical Engineering 129: Introduction to Bioelectronics] – Dr. Liu, Q report – not offered 2024-’25
[Biomedical Engineering 130: Neural Control of Movement] – Dr. Smith, Q Report – not offered 2024-’25
Neuro 115: Cellular Basis of Neuronal Function – Biophysical and cell biological approaches to excitability, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. This course includes hands-on component for students to learn patch clamp and extracellular recording techniques. – Dr. Draft & Dr. Quast, Q Report
Neuro 120: Introductory Computational Neuroscience
This course introduces students to abstract models of what and how neurons compute and concrete analyses of real neurons in action. Topics include network models of sensory processing and memory, and techniques to compare these models with real experimental data. This course will emphasize students’ contributions and classroom interactions. Programming projects will be a significant aspect of the course, so programming experience (Python, Matlab) is recommended. Familiarity—but not expertise—with linear algebra will be assumed. – Dr. Penikis (new instructor), Q report
Neuro 1202: Modern Neuroanatomy – this course examine the circuits that underly cognition – Dr. Buckner, Q Report
[Psychology 1303: The Human Brain Then and Now] – Dr. Buckner, Q Report – not offered 2024-’25
Psychology 1325: The Emotional, Social Brain – Dr. Phelps, Q report
[Neuro 1401: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience]- teaching students how to simulate brain function with computer programs. Special emphasis will be placed on processes like learning, memory, attention, decision-making, and object perception. – Dr. Gershman, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
[Psych 1406: Biological and Artificial Visual Systems]: How Humans and Machines Represent the World – Dr. Alvarez, Q report – not offered 2024-’25
† Courses taught at Harvard Medical School (HMS, Longwood Campus)
Engineering Sciences 223: Neurophysiology and Neural Interfaces – Dr. Srinivasan, Q Report
[Neuro 231(formerly Neuro 131): Computational Neuroscience] – Dr. Sompolinsky, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
[Neurobiology 209†: Neurobiology of Disease] – Dr. Mireau, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
This course covers a major disease or disorder of the nervous system each week, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Diseases, Mood and Autism Spectrum disorder and others. The course is taught at the Harvard Medical School on Monday (6-8:30 PM) and Wednesday (7-9:30 PM) evenings. The Monday sessions involve patient presentations and “core” lectures describing clinical progression, pathology, and basic science underlying a major disease or disorder. On Wednesdays, students present material from original literature sources, and there is general discussion. The course is for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and MD and MD/PhD students. The recommended prerequisite are: Introductory neurobiology, biochemistry, and genetics/molecular biology. The course is given in alternate years and is listed at the Medical School as NB 713.0.
There are many ways to study Neuro abroad. Please talk to Ryan or Laura to get started planning. We regularly have students study both during term time and in the summer all over the world.
[Trento, Italy (1 MBB course)] – not offered summer 2024
[Oxford, England (1 Intermediate Biology course)] – not offered summer 2024
Many students also create their own summer neuroscience program through grants from OCS (including non-credit internships, like the Weissman Fellowship). Check out more here!
Note: all MBB 980 courses in the catalog count for the MBB seminar requirement.
[MBB 980R: Psychopaths and Psychopathy: Psychological, Neuroscientific, Legal, and Policy Issues] – Dr. Fersch, Q report – not offered 2024-25
MBB 980V: Advances in Understanding the Wiring of the Brain: Neuroimaging and Big Data in Connectomics – Dr. Nickerson, Q report
MBB 980CC: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: How Gut Microbes Modulate Human Cognition and Mental Health – Dr. Oyarzun, Q report
MBB 980DD: Computational Psychiatry – Dr. Kumar, Q report
MBB 980T: Sleep and Mental Health – Dr. Pace-Schott
[MBB 980W:Creativity and Healing in Medicine and Music] – Dr. Wong, Q report – not offered in 2024-25
MBB 980X: Translational Neuroscience: Limits of Adaptation from Extreme Environments to Clinical Practice – Drs. Strangman and Ivkovic, Q report
[MBB 980Y: Virtue Science] – Drs. Lazar and Ferguson – not offered 2024-25
[MBB 980Z: The Insanity Defense: Psychological, Neuroscientific, Legal, Philosophical, and Policy Issues] – Dr. Fersch – not offered 2024-25
[MBB 980AA: Drug Use in Nature – Dr. Pierce], Q report – not offered in 2024-25
The following list of classes count as modeling/analysis electives for students on the Computational Neuroscience Track. Additional courses may be petitioned for approval.
APMTH 50: Intro to Applied Mathematics, Q report
APMTH 104: Complex Analysis and Series Expansions, Q report
APMTH 105: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations, Q report
APMTH 107: Graph Theory and Combinatorics, Q report
APMTH 108: Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Q report
[APMTH 111 : Intro Scientific Computing], Q report – not offered 2024-25
APMTH 120: Applied Linear Algebra and Big Data, Q report
APMTH: 220: Geometric Methods Machine Learning, Q report
[APMTH 231: Decision Theory], Q report – not offered 2024-25
[APMTH 232 : Learning, Estimation, and Control of Dynamical Systems], Q report – not offered 2024-25
BE 110: Physiological Systems Analysis, Q report
[CS 108: Intelligent Systems: Design and Ethical Challenges] – not offered 2024-25
CS 1090: Intro to Data Science, Q report
CS 1210: Intro to Theoretical Computer Science, Q report
CS 1240: Data Structures and Algorithms, Q report
CS 1430: Computer Networks, Q report
CS 1810: Machine Learning, Q report
CS 1820: Planning and Learning Methods in AI, Q report
CS 1870: Computational Linguistics] Q report
ENG-SCI/APMTH 115: Mathematical Modeling, Q report
ENG-SCI/APMTH 121: Intro to Optimization, Q report
ENG-SCI 155: Systems and Control, Q report
ENG-SCI 156: Signals and Communications, Q report
[ENG-SCI 157: Biological Signal Processing], Q report – not offered 2024-25
MCB 111: Mathematics in Biology, Q report
MCB 112: Biological Data Analysis, Q report
[MCB 198: Advanced Math Techniques for Modern Biology], Q report – not offered 2024-25
MCB 199: Statistical Thermodynamics and Quantitative Biology, Q report
Psych 1952: Multivariate Analysis in Psychology, Q report
Stat 111: Introduction to Statistical Inference, Q report
Stat 114: Introduction to Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics, Q report
[Stat 115: Introduction to Computational Biology and Bioinformatics], Q report – not offered 2024-25
Stat 117: Data Analysis in Modern Biostatistics, Q report
Stat 120: Introduction to Bayesian Inference and Applications], Q report
[Stat 121: Data Science], Q report – not offered 2024-25
Stat 131: Time Series & Prediction, Q report
Stat 139: Linear Models, Q report
Stat 149: Generalized Linear Models, Q report
Stat 171: Intro to Stochastic Processes, Q report
Stat/CS 184: Introduction to Reinforcement Learning, Q report
Stat 185: Introduction to Unsupervised Learning, Q report
Stat 195: Introduction to Supervised Learning, Q report
[Stat 220: Bayesian Data Analysis], Q report – not offered 2024-25
[Computer Science 108: Intelligent Systems] – Dr. Grosz, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
Computer Science 1810: Machine Learning – Dr. Doshi-Velez Q Report
Computer Science 1820: Planning and Learning Methods in AI – Dr. Gil, Q Report
[Computer Science 1890 Autonomous Robots ]– Dr. Nagpal, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
Economics 1057: Game Theory and Social Behavior – Drs. Yoeli and Hoffman, Q Report
[Economics 980BB: Behavioral Economics] – Dr. Strzalecki – not offered 2024-25
Economics 980Z: Behavioral Finance – Dr. Stein, Q report
[Economics 1036: Psychology & Economics of Beliefs] – Dr. Rabin, Q report – not offered 2024-25
Note: Education courses are offered at the graduate level, but are open to undergrads.
EDU AH125: Science-Driven Innovation in the Early Childhood Ecosystem – Dr. Shinkiff
[EDU H126: Typical and Atypical Neurodevelopment] – Drs. Nelson and Gaab – not offered 2024-25
EDU H250: Developmental Psychology – Dr. Harris
EDST 138: Neuroscience and Education: Foundations, Development, and Applications (New Course) – Dr. Gaab
[Edu H115: Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, and Education] – Dr. Pollack – not offered 2024-25
[Edu H510A: Machine Learning and Human Learning] – Dr. Fadel – not offered 2024-25
[HistSci 172: Mental Health Matters: Recurring Themes and Unfinished Business] – Dr. Harrington, Q report – not offered 2024-25
[HistSci 1780: Psychopathologies of Modern Life] – Dr. Lunbeck, Q report – not offered 2024-25
HistSci 2770: Neuroscience and the Making of Consciousness Studies: Assumptions, Stakes, Untold Stories (New Course) – Dr. Harrington
[HistSci 1472: Mental Health in Crisis: From War Neurosis to Covid-19] – Dr. Abi-Rached – not offered 2024-25
HistSci 1770: Broken Brains: A Patient-Centered History – Dr. Harrington, Q report
Human Evolutionary Biology 30: Primate Social Behavior – Drs. Surbeck & Schamberg, Q Report
[Human Evolutionary Biology 1418: Endocrinology and Behavior: Research Seminar] – Dr. Lipson, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
Human Evolutionary Biology 130: Hormones and Behavior – Dr. Sabbi, Q Report
Human Evolutionary Biology 117: Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology of Sleep – Dr. Clark Matott, Q report
Human Evolutionary Biology 39: The Human Brain in the Animal Kingdom – Dr. Hecht, Q report
Human Evolutionary Biology 145: Thinking Through Human Cognition – Dr. Desmond
[Human Evolutionary Biology 1600: Evolution of Complex Traits] – Dr. Ruvolo, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
Linguistics 132: Psychosemantics – Dr. Davdison, Q report
Linguistics 83: Language, Structure, and Cognition – Dr. Davidson, Q Report
[Philosophy 158A: Inference and Memory: Proseminar – Dr. Siegel, Q report] – not offered 2024-25
Philosophy 156: Philosophy of Mind – Dr. Chen, Q Report
[Philosophy 158B: Political Psychology – Dr. Siegel, Q report] – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 1 (formerly SLS-20): Intro to Psychological Science – Dr. Gilbert (Fall), Q Report
Psychology 14: Cognitive Neuroscience – Drs. Schacter, Phelps, Q Report
Psychology 16: Developmental Psych – Dr. Snedeker, Q Report
[Psychology 980AC: Mood Disorders] – Dr. Roberts, Q report – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 980AD: Psychopathology and the Family – Dr. Knutsen, Q report
Psychology 1018: The Science and Psychology of Music – Dr. Piccolo, Q report
Psychology 1033: Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder: The Psychology of Visual Art (new course) – Dr. Cynthia Guo
[Psychology 1305: Evolutionary Psychology] – Dr. Krasnow, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 1311: Precision Cognitive Neuroscience: Opportunities Afforded by Deep, Intensive Study Within Individuals – Dr. Buckner, Q report
[Psychology 1340: Imagination, Pretense, and Make-Believe Worlds] – Dr. Ullman – not offered 2024-25
[Psychology 1454: Neuroscience Fiction: An Introduction to Cutting Edge Neuroscience through the Lens of Film and Television] – Dr. Alvarez, Q report – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 1617: Language Development in the First Few Years of Life (New Course) – Dr. Bergelson
Psychology 1619: The Making of Moral Minds (New Course) – Dr. Gautam
[Psychology 1708: Controlling the Uncontrollable? Emotion Regulation and Well-Being] – Dr. Jones, Q report – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 1750: Free Will, Responsibility, and Law]- Dr. Greene, Q Report
[Psychology 1811: Gender and Psychopathology] – Dr. Quigley – not offered 2024-25
Psychology 1813: Technology and Mental Health – Dr. Singh, Q report
Psychology 1861: Developmental Psychopathology – Dr. Weisz, Q Report
______
Note: Grad level Psychology courses (2000 level) may be petitioned for MBB elective credit (email Dr. Draft, Dr. Magnotti, or Dr. Penikis prior to enrolling)
Psychology 1 (formerly SLS-20): Intro to Psychological Science – Dr. Pinker (Spring), Q Report
Psychology 11: Cognition: How the Mind Works – Dr. Bergelson (New Course)
Psychology 18: Psychopathology – Dr. Shingleton, Q Report
[Psychology 980JO: Understanding Autism] – Dr Knutsen, Q report – not offered in 2024-25
[Psychology 980TM: Transdiagnostic Models of Psychopathology: Theory, Research, and Treatment] – Dr. Evans, Q report – not offered in 2024-25
[Psychology 1020: Too Much of a Good Thing? The Psychology of Reward] – Dr. Piccolo, Q report – not offered in 2024-25
Psychology 1021: Stress & Cognition: Implications for Empowered Learning – Dr. Tsai, Q report
Psychology 1023: The Mind-Body Connection: Exploring the Intersection between Psychology and Physical Health – Dr. Blanchard (New Course)
Psychology 1032: Psychology of Addiction – Dr. Jordan (New Course)
Psychology 1322: Decisions Big and Small: The Cognitive Science of Making Up Your Mind – Dr. Ullman, Q report
[Psychology 1355: The Adolescent Brain] – Dr. Somerville, Q Report – not offered in 2024-25
Psychology 1618: Developmental Disabilities and Neurodiversity – Dr. Snedeker (New Course)
Psychology 1654: What infants know, how children learn – Dr. Spelke, Q report
Psychology 1702: The Emotional Mind – Dr. Somerville, Q Report
Psychology 1801: Anxiety Disorders – Dr. McNally, Q report
Psychology 1816: Broken Brains: Mechanisms and Markers of Mental Illness – Dr. Piccolo, Q report
______
Note: Grad level Psychology courses (2000 level) may be petitioned for MBB elective credit (email Dr. Draft, Dr. Magnotti, or Dr. Penikis prior to enrolling)
[GenEd 1058 (formerly SCRB 60): Tech Ethics: AI, Biotech and the Future of Human Nature] – Drs. Sandel and Melton, Q Report – not offered 2024-25
GenEd 1046 (formerly Psych 1002): Evolving Morality – Dr. Greene, Q Report
Gen Ed 1064 (formerly SCRB 187): Brains, Identity, and Moral Agency – Dr. Hyman, Q Report
[Gen Ed 1125: Artificial & Natural Intelligence] – Dr. Murthy, Q report – not offered 2024-25
Neuro 91. Laboratory Research
Ryan W. Draft, Laura Magnotti, and Kristina Penikis
This course is taken to obtain credit for independent laboratory research during the 6th, 7th, or 8th semester. Research work should be directed by a member of the Neuroscience Standing Committee or an appropriate Harvard-affiliated faculty member in another department or institution. All students must submit registration materials for Neuro 91 at the time of enrollment.
Neuro 91 Registration Form (link) – Once you have found a lab, please complete this online form and email it to to initiate enrollment.
Neuro 99. Thesis Research
Ryan W. Draft, Laura Magnotti, and Kristina Penikis
For Neuroscience concentrators writing a thesis. This course is ordinarily taken during the final semester of enrollment. The Standing Committee must approve a thesis proposal prior to enrolling in Neuro 99
Neuro 99 Online Registration/Abstract Form (link) – To be completed by the registration deadline to enroll in Neuro 99 and/or submit your senior thesis abstract at the beginning of your 8th (final) semester.
Final written report instructions/forms for 91 students and thesis writers (see accordion below):
** Email the report to 1) your PI and 2) the Neuro Advising Office (undergraduate_neuroscience@fas.harvard.edu) by the listed deadline **
Potential Thesis Writer Enrolled in Neuro 91 or 99
Non-Thesis Writer Enrolled in Neuro 91
Combined Thesis Proposal and 91 Final Report
Due dates:
Spring (May 2026 grads): Tuesday, May 6, 2025 @ 11:59 PM ET
Due dates:
Fall: Monday, December 9th, 2024 @11:59 PM ET
Spring: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 @ 11:59 PM ET
Fall: Final Thesis (Off Cycle March 2025 grads)
Due: Friday, November 15, 2024 @5 PM ET
Spring: Final Thesis (May 2025 grads)
Due: Friday, March 14, 2025 @5 PM ET
Due dates:
Fall: Monday, December 9th, 2024 @11:59 PM ET
Spring: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 @ 11:59 PM ET
