The best aspects of this course included the weekly readings that were relevant to the lecture material, the engaging guest lecturers, and the laid-back classroom atmosphere. One student felt that the amount of material covered on the first exam was overwhelming. Other students felt that the material was sometimes dry and repetitive. Suggestions included lowering the grade percentage based on classroom participation, administering more exams to spread out the material, and engaging the students more in discussions. Prospective students should be prepared to regularly participate and should know that the course is reading-intensive.

The best aspects of this course were the fascinating nature of the material and the instructor. Dr. Desmond is knowledgeable, approachable, and made it clear that he wanted the students to succeed. Some students thought the start of the course got bogged down in methods, though it was helpful to have some of this moving forward. A common suggestion for improvement was to go over a summary of papers before moving on to the discussion. Students interested in this course should know that it is an interesting and in-depth look at one area of the brain, taught by an instructor who is invested in his students’ success and learning. The course is highly recommended.

The best part of this class was the engaging and interesting material which was presented in an organized manner. Some students had issue with the fact that office hours were on the medical campus and lectures had the tendency to be boring and repetitive. This class could be improved by having clearer guidelines on grading criteria, offering office hours on the Homewood campus, and incorporating interactive aspects into the lectures. Prospective students should have some background in neuroscience.