Brain Studies: A Hands-On Neuroscience L

Scientific discoveries don’t happen in a classroom—they happen in the lab! In this immersive neuroscience course, students will explore the nervous system through short lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on lab activities, investigating how neurons communicate and influence behavior. In the first week, students will examine preserved brain tissue to study functional neuroanatomy in relation to real clinical cases of brain injury. In the second week, they will learn about neural communication and record electrical signals from neurons in an earthworm. The final week will explore the relationship between brain signals and behavior. Students will use electroencephalography (EEG) to record their own brain waves and analyze how neural activity shifts during cognitive tasks. To complement these lessons, students will visit cutting-edge neuroscience research facilities and NYC landmarks such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Bronx Zoo. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of neuroscience and firsthand experience with experimental techniques used by scientists to study the brain.