Why Evolution, Behavior, and Comparative Neurobiology?
  A strong emphasis on training in neuroethology and comparative neurobiology will make essential contributions to the advancement of neuroscience. The field of neuroscience has grown to the point where we may begin to answer questions about the evolution of neural circuits. In order to do so, our trainees must become familiar with the tenets of evolution, behavior and neurobiology. Training will also include basic coverage of systems, computational and molecular neuroscience. In all of these areas, opportunities for learning new skills are available. Our group at Maryland is well suited to provide advanced research training in Neuroethology, with strengths in comparative neurobiology, evolution, behavior and molecular biology.

Neuroethology is a multidisciplinary approach that combines analysis at the behavioral, systems and cellular levels. A typical neuroethological project might attempt to determine the mechanism by which a certain stimulus controls a given natural behavioral response. The starting point is the assumption that the brain of an animal is designed to process biologically relevant stimuli and control behavior that is important for survival and reproduction. This idea is the basis behind all neuroethological studies and determines the choice of research subjects, behaviors, experimental methods and interpretation of results. Neuroethology concentrates on species-specific behavior. Therefore, neuroethological studies can provide insight on brain evolution. Our training faculty include several leaders in the neuroethology community (see below).

The comparative neurobiological approach can reveal remarkable similarities of organization among vertebrate or invertebrate brains; these may be a result or either design constraints or homology. Detailed knowledge of common features and differences of the brains of different species is essential to understanding the evolution of the nervous system. Differences between neural systems may reflect the action of evolution upon different substrates, and the different requirements of each system. To achieve a good understanding on how brains are transformed among vertebrate species, modern comparative neurobiology must be complemented with studies about evolution and embryology. Our training faculty are leaders in the comparative neurobiology and evolution communities. The Biology department faculty also include several outstanding developmental neurobiologists and a leader in studies of the evolution of development (Jeffery).

The major goal of our program will be to provide the scientific community with scientists who have an understanding of brain-behavior relations in a variety of animal systems. We would like our trainees to be able to conduct full-time research in comparative neurobiology and behavior in academic settings. At the very least, our training will ensure that they will be able to put their work into the appropriate context and add to our growing understanding of these fields.