Curriculum

Requirements

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

1. Both of the following courses (3 credits):
   • NEU 840 Introduction to the Brain and Behavioral Disorders (2 credits; Fall)
   • NEU 892 Special Topics in Neuroscience and the Law (1 credit; Spring)
2. Three of the following courses:  
   • NEU 842 Neuroethics (3 credits; Summer)
   • NEU 843 Methods for Assessing the Nervous System (3 credits; Spring)
   • NEU 844 The Science and Ethics of Brain Interventions (3 credits; Fall)
   • NEU 845 Neuroscience of Drug Use and Human Disorders (3 credits; Summer)

Program Objectives

By completing the Neuroscience and the Law graduate certificate, students will be able to do the following:

1. Obtain and apply knowledge of the following topics in order to formulate scientifically accurate arguments
   1. General neuroscience principles 
   2. Methods for assessing and manipulating the nervous system
   3. Drug use, abuse, and addiction
   4. Cognitive impairments, disorders, and enhancement
2. Assess ethical, legal, and social implications of neuroscientific research, tools, and discovery 
3. Critically evaluate the appropriate use of neuroscientific evidence in a professional setting, for example admissibility of evidence in litigation
4. Effectively and accurately communicate scientific findings

Course Descriptions

NEU 840: Introduction to the Brain and Behavioral Disorders
Introduction to nervous system structure, function aimed at students and professionals with limited biological science background.

NEU 842: Neuroethics
Introduction to the ethical issues that have emerged from our increased understanding of the brain, and how to apply these recent discoveries in a responsible manner.

NEU 843: Methods for Assessing the Nervous System
Introduction to various techniques used to study brain structure and function, including direct and indirect measurements of neural activity, and assessments of cognition and mood.

NEU 844: The Science and Ethics of Brain Interventions
Introduction to electrical, magnetic and pharmacological brain interventions, in addition to the ethical, legal, and social implications of their use for therapeutic and enhancement purposes.

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 892: Special Topics in Neuroscience and the Law
Professionals and academics share their experiences with neurotechnology from the many interdisciplinary fields where neuroscience and the legal system intersect.