The course emphasizes the principles of behavioral neuroscience, stressing the methods and rationales used to acquire information and reach conclusions about brain mechanisms underlying behavior. Subjects to be covered include: the study of behavior in invertebrate systems; the study of biological clocks and important aspects of behavior in higher vertebrates; brain mechanisms of fear and anxiety; the behavioral and physiological adaptations to stress; sexual behavior and sexual differentiation of brain and behavior; regulation of food intake and body weight.

Course organization: There will be a lecture outline and reading for each lecture, and students will make presentations during the week following the lecture on each major topic. Each student will be required to write a short, critical review of a topic in behavioral neuroscience in the form of a research proposal. The paper will be due by the end of the term, and will count heavily in the evaluation of the student's success in the course.