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Alkimi University Academics

NEUR 420 · Neuroscience

Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity

Biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of vesicular release, postsynaptic receptors, retrograde signaling, long-term potentiation and depression, and structural synaptic remodeling.

Catalog overview

Course Essentials

Credits
3
Level
400 upper division
Typically offered
Spring, even years
Prerequisites
NEUR 301.

400-level courses: advanced capstone, senior research, and specialized seminars. Counts toward the 36 upper-division credits every bachelor's degree requires (Undergraduate Catalog §2.3). Details: Undergraduate Catalog §9.19.

Department of Neuroscience

Department page →
Meridian Science Center Chair: Dr. Jenny He, Meridian Science Center 335

Questions about a major or your plan: Academic Advising Center, Lovell Hall 101, (555) 555-0158.

NEUR 420 runs on a two-year rotation and isn't offered in 2026–27; it's next scheduled for Spring 2028. Department chairs make teaching assignments each year (Faculty Handbook §5.1), and every instructor posts the syllabus in Canvas by the first day of classes (Faculty Handbook §5.2).

Generative AI in this course

Every syllabus must state one of three levels: Level 1 (AI not permitted for graded work), Level 2 (AI permitted with disclosure for specified tasks), Level 3 (AI permitted broadly with disclosure). Check your section's syllabus in Canvas. Unless it says otherwise, the university default applies: generative AI tools may be used for brainstorming, studying, and feedback on your own drafts, but not to produce work you submit for a grade.

Details: Student Handbook §5.7 and Student Handbook §5.8. See what each AI level allows.

Degree planning

Where NEUR 420 fits

What to take first, what this course opens up, and the requirements it can satisfy, from the Undergraduate Catalog.

No other catalog course lists NEUR 420 as a prerequisite.

Counts toward

All programs →

Every course also counts toward the 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree. Confirm your plan with your advisor or the Academic Advising Center.

No AP exam awards credit for NEUR 420 (Undergraduate Catalog §3.11).

Registration

How to enroll in NEUR 420

  1. Check the prerequisites

    NEUR 301.

  2. Add it in AlkimiHub

    NEUR 420 is offered in the spring semester of even-numbered years; the next offering is Spring 2028. Register through AlkimiHub self-service registration, which opens by credit standing. Until the add deadline, you don't need instructor permission as long as seats remain and you've met the prerequisites. Details: Student Handbook §3.3.

  3. If the section is full, join the waitlist

    When a seat opens, AlkimiHub offers it to the first student on the waitlist and emails you. You have 24 hours to claim it before it goes to the next student. Details: Student Handbook §3.10.

All dates: academic calendar. Registration help: Office of the Registrar.