Health and the Nervous System
Harvard Summer School
BIOS S-54
Section 1
CRN 35955
Have you ever been told to stay off your phone before bed or limit caffeine intake so that you get a better night's sleep? Or maybe you have been wondering what the deal is with mindfulness and meditation—could it really make you happier? From fad diets to rituals that have been practiced for thousands of years, together we explore the biological basis of today's popular health trends. Over the course of four units—nutrition, sleep, exercise, and meditation—we dive deep into the biology of how the choices we make in our everyday lives affect the function of our nervous system. Along the way we develop a foundational understanding of neuroscience topics including the action potential, metabolism, and circadian rhythms. To wrap-up the course, students show what they have learned by creating a public service announcement about a health topic of their choice.
Registration Closes: June 17, 2025
Credits: 4
View Tuition Information Term
Summer Term 2025
Part of Term
Full Term
Format
Live Attendance Web Conference
Credit Status
Graduate, Noncredit, Undergraduate
Section Status
Open