Neuroscience 291 Independent Reading Guidelines

The purpose of the Independent Reading Course is to provide the student with an opportunity to do in-depth reading of the literature on a specific topic in Neuroscience with the guidance of an expert in the area. The student works with a member of the Neuroscience faculty at Vanderbilt and, through reading and discussion with the faculty sponsor, will gain knowledge and understanding of the research that has been published on a particular area or problem in Neuroscience. This is an ideal and recommended course as preparation for, or taken in conjunction with, NSC 292a Undergraduate Research to provide the student with the necessary background in the research area. The course may be repeated once for a total of 2 hour credit toward the Neuroscience major.

Registration

This course is intended for Juniors and Seniors. Exceptional students may be admitted as sophomores as long as they have had NSC/PSY 201. In order to register for NSC 291, a student must obtain an appropriate faculty sponsor and under his/her guidance develop a plan of study for the semester. The plan need not be exceptionally detailed, but should identify the primary goals that the sponsor and student hope to achieve during the semester.

To find a faculty sponsor, look first at the research opportunities available.You will find a short research description of the faculty involved in the Neuroscience Program. It is left to your initiative to determine what area of Neuroscience you wish to pursue.

After you have found a mentor, download the NSC 291 Contract. Complete the application form and e-mail it as an attachment to your faculty sponsor with “NSC 291 Contract” in the subject line. Your faculty sponsor should then forward the entire email, including the attachment, to the Program Director, Terry Page. Paper contracts will not be accepted. This process assures the Program that that the sponsor has seen and approved the contract. Assuming you meet all the requirements and have taken the appropriate prerequisites, you will be registered. An email will be sent to both the student and faculty sponsor for confirmation of registration.

**In order to be registered on time, contracts MUST be emailed to the Program Director, Terry Page no later than 24 hours before the end of the DROP/ADD period. ***

Students that are considering taking NSC 291 are urged to make contact with potential faculty sponsors early in the pre-registration period for the semester they plan to enroll. If after following all these guidelines you still have questions, contact the Program Office.

Course structure

Once a student has been admitted to NSC 291, his or her primary interactions during the semester will be with the faculty sponsor. However, all students are required to write a term paper (8-page minimum, 15-page maximum) on the focal topic of the readings. The document should be double spaced with 1-inch margins, and 12 pt Times or equivalently clear font. Papers need to be emailed to your faculty mentor and the Program Office by the date specified by the Program Office.  NSC 291 may only be taken twice for credit.

Grades

The final grade for the course will be assigned by the faculty sponsor.