The Interdepartmental Undergraduate Neuroscience Program of Johns Hopkins University

Cellular and molecular neuroscience focuses on the mechanisms by which information flows within and between cells in the nervous system. Topics include the molecular basis of membrane permeability, action potentials, sensory transduction, synaptic transmission, neuronal modulation, mechanisms of drug action, and the molecular basis of genetic disorders of the nervous system.

Cognitive neuroscience focuses on how cognitive functions, such as language or memory, are implemented by the brain. Drawing upon a variety of techniques for probing the working brain at cognitive and neural levels--including functional neuroimaging, analysis of cognitive impairments in brain-damaged patients, and electrophysiological techniques--research in cognitive neuroscience seeks to relate mental representations and computations to brain mechanisms and processes.

Systems neuroscience seeks to relate brain structure and functioning to behaviors and related physiological processes. Research in this area explores the description and analysis of neural circuites. This includes identifying the brain nuclei and interconnections making up a circuit and characterizing the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate the development and adult functioning of the circuit. Topics as diverse as learning and memory, communication, and motivated behaviors (e.g. reproduction, feeding, aggression) are explored from this perspective. Another large section of systems neuroscience involves the visual, auditory, and somatosensory sensory systems as well as learning and adaptation of the motor system.