Physiology, Neurobiology and Biomechanics

Neurobiology is the study of how nervous systems function. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing areas of biology. At its most reductionist level neurobiology employs genetic and molecular approaches and at it extends to the level of whole animal behavior and social interactions.

Faculty Mentors

Barry Trimmer
Mimi Kao
Michael Levin
Michael Romero
Eric Tytell

Biology faculty and students in masks with butterfly cage

Faculty Advisor for this Concentration

Suggested Program of Study and Appropriate Courses

  • Year 1

    • Two research Rotations (PhD students only, 1 rotation per semester); research rotations are registered as courses (Bio 253) – they are generally done with faculty in the Biology Department, but mentors outside the department can also be enlisted
    • (or first year that you are a teaching assistant): All students that are Teaching assistants are required to take Pedagogy (Bio260)

    Year 1 or 2

    Either Seminar in Evolutionary Ecology (Bio 244) or Seminar in Physiology, Neurobiology and Biomechanics (Bio245 – currently in development) (offered in alternate years)

    Year 2

    Thesis Research (Bio295/296)

  • Biology Department Courses Courses in Other Departments
    Developmental Biology (Bio103) Artificial Intelligence (Comp sci 131)
    Endocrinology (Bio110) Brain and Behavior (Psych 103)
    General Physiology (Bio115) Psychopharmacology (Psych 123)
    Biomechanics (Bio116) Behavioral Endocrinology (Psych 127)
    Biophysics (Bio119) Cognitive Neuroscience (Psych 129)
    Animal Behavior (Bio 130) Biopsychology (Psych 231)
    Biostatistics (Bio132) Philosophy of Mind (Philos 117)
    Neurobiology (Bio134) Mathematical Modeling and Computation (Math 87)
    The Mammalian CNS (Bio187) Advanced Special Topics (Math 150)
    Seminar in Field Endocrinology (Bio # to be determined)  
    Seminar in Advanced Neuroscience (Bio # to be determined)  
    Special topics courses (Bio 195/196)  
    Science Communication (Bio 262)  
    Special Topics (Bio 293/294)  

Associate Lab

Songbird

The Kao Lab

Principal Investigator: Mimi Kao
Location: 200 Boston Ave., Suite 2101

artist rendering of scientists at work

The Levin Lab

Principal Investigator: Michael Levin
Location: 200 Boston Ave., Suite 4600

Iguana on a rock

The Romero Lab

Principal Investigator: Michael Romero
Location: Science & Engineering Complex, 2nd floor

bluegill fish

The Tytell Lab

Principal Investigator: Eric Tytell
Location: 200 Boston Ave., Suite 4800