Zuckerman Institute Neuroscience and Cog

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the wide-ranging, cutting-edge research in cognitive science and neuroscience happening at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute (ZI). Students will learn how research labs investigate fundamental questions of the mind, brain, and behavior, and will learn about the model systems, tools, and methodological approaches used across these fields.

Lectures will focus on how different animal and other model systems are used in neuroscience and cognitive science research. Through this course, students will gain an appreciation for the advantages and limitations of different model systems and why particular models are chosen to investigate specific aspects of mind, brain, and behavior.  

Throughout the course, students will strengthen their ability to think like scientists, learning how research questions are formulated, how experiments are designed, and how scientific inquiry can be approached at multiple levels of analysis – from molecules to behavior – within the context of diverse model systems.

This course may also serve as a bridge to help students connect with faculty and the research labs at ZI, supporting future research involvement and mentorship opportunities.