Curriculum

By obtaining the Medical Neuroscience graduate certificate, students will be able to do the following:

1. Obtain and apply knowledge of the following topics to solve novel problems
   1. General neuroscience principles
   2. Nervous system disorders
   3. Drug use, abuse, and interactions
   4. Development
2. Work successfully in team-based settings
3. Analyze and interpret data from published peer-reviewed papers
4. Assess ethical, legal, and social implications of neuroscientific research, tools, and discoveries
5. Effectively and accurately communicate scientific findings

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits from the following courses:

1. All of the following courses (9 credits):
   • NEU 848 Cellular and Molecular Medical Neuroscience (3 credits; Fall)
   • NEU 849 Medical Neuroscience Systems and Anatomy (3 credits; Spring)
   • NEU 846 Neurobiology of Nervous System Disorders (3 credits; Summer Session I)
2. At least 3 credits from the following courses (3 credits):
   • NEU 842 Neuroethics (3 credits; Summer Session II)
   • NEU 845 Neuroscience of Drug Use and Human Disorders (3 credits; Summer Session II)
   • NEU 847 Development of the Nervous System (3 credits; Fall)
   • PHM 431 Pharmacology of Drug Addiction^1,2 (3 credits; Summer)
   • PHM 817 Neurotoxicology (2 credits; Spring)
   • PHM 819 Principles of Drug-Tissue Interactions (2 credits; Summer, Spring)
   • PHM 829 Neuropharmacology³ (2 credits; Fall)

¹If PHM 431 was used to complete a B.S. degree at MSU, it cannot be used as part of the certificate program 

²PHM 431 is open to certificate students ONLY during the summer semester. Fall PHM 431 is restricted to undergraduate students

³PHM 819 is a prerequesite for PHM 829

NEU 848: Cellular and Molecular Medical Neuroscience
Survey of the genetic, molecular, and cellular biology of the nervous system with an emphasis on medical applications.

NEU 849: Medical Neuroscience Systems and Anatomy
Survey of the anatomy and physiology of neuronal mechanisms that regulate behavior, learning, and cognition with an emphasis on medical applications.

NEU 846: Neurobiology of Nervous System Disorders
Overview of abnormalities that contribute to central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and psychological diseases and disorders examined at genetic, cellular, and behavioral levels.

NEU 842: Neuroethics
Introduction to the field of neuroethics and the responsible application of advances in neuroscience research.

NEU 845: Neuroscience of Drug Use and Human Disorders
Introduction to the neurochemical basis of human disorders and how drugs are used to treat these disorders

NEU 847: Development of the Nervous System
Introduction to processes involved in the development of the nervous systems and their clinical application

PHM 431: Pharmacology of Drug Addiction
Introduction to pharmacology and neuropharmacology. Understanding of the biological basis for drug abuse and addiction.

PHM 817: Neurotoxicology
Biochemical, molecular, physiological mechanisms and assessment of neurotoxicity. Factors predisposing the nervous system to selective toxicants. Pathophysiology and models of toxicant-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

PHM 819: Principles of Drug-Tissue Interactions
General principles of interaction of chemicals with biological systems.

PHM 829: Neuropharmacology
Mechanisms of action of drugs on the central nervous systems, targets, clinical use and side effects.