Founded in 1981, Northwestern University's Department of Neurobiology and Physiology was one of the first in the country to grant an undergraduate major in either of those two fields. Since then our research and teaching activities have grown dramatically. Our department is credited with major innovative educational programs within the University, educational outreach programs in the community, and widely acclaimed scientific advances, particularly at the interface between molecular biology, physiology, and behavior. Our scientific contributions, to name just a few, include

• the first gene affecting animal behavior to be identified using forward genetics, an approach that traces altered phenotype back to candidate genes
• a new class of reproductive hormones and their receptors
• a new in vivo patch recording method
• a new class of motor proteins critical to inner ear functioning
• discovery of estrogen's effect on the synaptic complexity of a key brain region involved in memory and learning
• a finding of the effects of progesterone hormone receptors on paternal behavior - one of the few demonstrations of a single gene's dramatic effect on complex behavior

     We are one of the best-funded neuroscience departments in the country. All of our faculty have federal research grants, and most have also received prestigious awards from major private foundations. Along with funding, a reputation for a congenial and exciting environment has made us one of the preeminent places to learn and do research in neuroscience and physiology. We carefully select our faculty, staff, students, and

postdocs, evaluating their potential for participation in both educational and research endeavors.

     The Department of Neurobiology and Physiology takes part in the PhD programs of the Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience and the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program. The department itself has a master's degree program for students who seek additional classroom and research experience in biology before entering PhD programs, medical school, or industry. Our graduates at all levels have gone on to distinguished careers in the life sciences.

     As our department continues to develop, we add interests, advanced technology, and facilities. For instance, we intend to take a leading role in work on how genes affect whole-animal functioning and behavior, studies made possible by the advent of genome sequences for mice and humans. This is just one of the many exciting frontiers our faculty, postdocs, and students are exploring together. We invite you to join our endeavor.

David Ferster
Department Chair