Neuroscience is the scientific study of nervous systems. The field encompasses the anatomy, behavioral functions, biochemistry, development, evolution, genetics, pharmacology, and physiology of nervous systems as well as biologically inspired robotics and prosthetics, computational modeling, and mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The Department of Neuroscience is devoted to education and research in this remarkably interdisciplinary and dynamic field of modern science.

Research in the Department of Neuroscience emphasizes analysis of neural circuits as it pertains to cellular, developmental, molecular and systems neurobiology, neuroethology, and neurogenetics. We target contemporary areas such as intra- and intercellular signaling, synaptic mechanisms, development of the central nervous system, information processing in sensory systems, insects as neurobiological and neuroethological models and vectors of disease, neurogenetics of developmental neurological disorders, evolution of neural systems, and biorobotics.

The Department of Neuroscience is a founding unit of the new School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior. The School, comprising the Departments of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, as well as the Program in Cognitive Science and the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, promotes multidisciplinary studies and collaboration in research and teaching to advance understanding of behavior, cognition, and underlying neural mechanisms.

Undergraduate students who are interested in Neuroscience should look into the new Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience & Cognitive Science, which is offered by the School of Mind, Brain and Behavior.