For most STEM majors at Princeton, one of the requirements is a course known informally as Core Lab. This class aims to equip students with laboratory skills required to succeed as a scientist in the field. It is usually composed of two 3-hour labs and one lecture per week. As a neuroscience major, I am currently taking NEU 350: Laboratory in Principles of Neuroscience, a class designed to introduce students to modern methods of analyzing neural activity—from the level of single neurons to large-scale networks underlying cognition. The course covers a range of techniques, including intracellular and extracellular recordings, optogenetics, EEG, and fMRI. After weeks of conducting designed experiments, it culminates in an independent research project where students design and conduct their own experiments based on knowledge and skills learned throughout the semester.
Coming into this course, I had very little hands-on experience with molecular neuroscience techniques. My previous research experience focused more on behavior and cognition, particularly in high school and now as part of the Computational Memory Lab. In high school, I conducted a behavioral study focusing on the effect of reminiscing positive memories on creativity level. Now in the Norman Lab, I assist with cognitive neuroscience research using fMRI neurofeedback to target memory control enhancement. Core Lab has been an entirely different experience. The first few weeks were dedicated to dissecting crayfish and measuring their neural activity—far removed from the human-focused work I had done before. Unlike other lab classes I had taken, this course doesn’t have pre-lab assignments that walk students through the experiments step by step. Instead, we are expected to come in already prepared, fully understanding the theory and methodology behind what we are about to do.
Over the course of the semester, we will be introduced to single and multi-unit recordings, gaining experience with techniques that allow us to measure neural activity both inside and outside of individual cells. We will explore optogenetics, a powerful tool that enables precise control of neurons using light, and we will learn how to interpret EEG and fMRI data—techniques that extend neuroscience research from the cellular level to large-scale brain networks. This class doesn’t just introduce students to neuroscience research; it immerses us in the core techniques used by professionals in the field.
Beyond the technical skills, Core Lab has pushed me to reflect on what neuroscience means to me and how I see myself within the field. More than ever, I am aware of how vast and interdisciplinary neuroscience truly is. Even within a single course, I find myself drawing on knowledge from physics, chemistry, math, and statistics, realizing how everything comes together to expand my understanding of neuroscience. Designing experiments requires an understanding of electrical signals and fluid dynamics; analyzing results demands proficiency in statistical methods and data visualization. Neuroscience doesn’t exist in isolation—it intersects with so many other disciplines, making it both a challenging and deeply rewarding field to study.
Taking this course has been pivotal in helping me solidify my interests in neuroscience and research. It has reinforced my appreciation for both the technical and conceptual aspects of the field, showing me how experimental techniques can be applied to answer fundamental questions about the brain. More importantly, it has given me a glimpse into the life of a neuroscientist—one that requires patience, precision, and a deep curiosity about the unknown. As I continue through the semester, I look forward to not only learning new techniques but also refining my ability to think critically and creatively about neuroscience research.
— Angel Toasakul, Natural Sciences Correspondent
