BIONB 3920

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - June 11, 2025 2:48PM EDT

BIONB 3920
Drugs and the Brain

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Introduction to neuropharmacology, with an emphasis on the neural mechanisms of psychoactive drugs. Topics include a brief introduction to neuropharmacology and a discussion of the major neurotransmitter families. The rest of the course covers the major psychoactive drugs, including cocaine, heroin, psychedelics, marijuana, and alcohol, as well as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression. Includes a term paper in the form of a grant proposal to study a current problem in neuropharmacology.


Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG), (BIO-AS)

Last 3 terms offered 2023FA, 2021FA, 2019FA

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

  • Master the basics of pharmacology and understand the biochemical, physiological, and neural pathways of drug actions in the brain.
  • Understand the neural mechanisms of addiction and withdrawal of psychoactive drugs and the therapeutic actions of major psychiatric drugs in the brain.
  • Critically analyze and evaluate papers from the neuropharmacology literature.
  • Design research plans utilizing modern neurobiological techniques to test hypotheses in neuropharmacology.
  • Search the literature, to propose solutions to currently unsolved problems in neuropharmacology, and to test them experimentally.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion.

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 18253 BIONB 3920   LEC 001

    • TR
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Prerequisite: BIONB 2220 or equivalent course in neurobiology by permission of instructor. Recommended prerequisite: knowledge of biochemistry.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

  • 18254 BIONB 3920   DIS 201

  •  
    • W
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 18255 BIONB 3920   DIS 202

  •  
    • W
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 18256 BIONB 3920   DIS 203

  •  
    • M
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 18257 BIONB 3920   DIS 204

  •  
    • W
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 18258 BIONB 3920   DIS 205

  •  
    • M
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 18259 BIONB 3920   DIS 206

  •  
    • W
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025

    • Ellwood, I

  • Instruction Mode: In Person