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Individual Course

Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Part 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron

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Course Length

5 weeks

3-5 hours a week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences LogoHarvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 249

On demand

Enroll on edX

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 249

On demand

Enroll on edX

Learn how electricity makes the neurons in your brain tick.

Fundamentals of Neuroscience is a three-course series that explores the structure and function of the nervous system—from the inner workings of a single nerve cell to the staggering complexity of the brain and the social interactions they enable.

In this first course, you'll learn how individual neurons use electricity to transmit information. You'll build a neuron, piece by piece, using interactive simulations, then travel around Harvard's campus, where you'll see the inner workings of a lab and learn how to conduct DIY neuroscience experiments on your own.

Join us as we study the electrical properties in individual neurons, building a foundation for understanding the function of the entire nervous system.

The course will be delivered via edX and connect learners around the world. By the end of the course, participants will learn:

Self-Guided

edX

Certificates:

  • Individual Certificate
  • Free Audit Learning
  • Fatima M.
  • Zahra Z.
  • Tais G.

Global Learning Community

  • Learn from Harvard faculty
  • Do it on your own time
  • Get a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
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Program in this topic

MicroBachelors® Program in Introduction to Neuroscience

These courses are curated to help you develop a strong foundational knowledge of core neurobiology concepts from the cellular to the systemic levels.

See program

3 Courses available

Faculty

Your Instructor

David Cox

Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Computer Science, Harvard University

David Cox is an Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and of Computer Science, and is a member of the Center for Brain Science at Harvard University. He completed his Ph.D. in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT with a specialization in computational neuroscience. His laboratory seeks to understand the computational underpinnings of visual processing through concerted efforts in both reverse- and forward-engineering. To this end, his group employs a wide range of experimental techniques (ranging from microelectrode recordings in living brains to visual psychophysics in humans) to probe natural systems, while at the same time actively developing practical computer vision systems based on what is learned about the brain.

I’m a high school student from Iran living in Canada, and this course fueled my passion for medicine and the human brain. It taught me that the world of science is always advancing, and I hope to one day contribute to discovering its wonders.

Fatima M.

Finishing Harvard’s MicroBachelors in Fundamentals of Neuroscience wasn’t just an academic milestone — it felt like reconstructing parts of myself. I loved every challenge, every circuit, every experiment, every museum tour video.

Zahra Z.

Zahra Z.

For me, the HarvardX verification represents curiosity, commitment and conscious growth, a reminder that learning transforms not just our thinking but the way we show up in the world. Being part of Harvard’s global community of learners means belonging to a network where curiosity is a shared language and intellectual growth is a common goal.

Tais G.

Author and Behavioral Researcher

"The Fundamentals of Neuroscience course strengthened my goals as an author by giving scientific depth to themes I had already been exploring through my own research and writing. It helped me ground my ideas about perception, emotional awareness and human behavior in a more structured, evidence-based understanding. This experience reinforced my commitment to bringing clear and accessible science into my work, and it affirmed my role as someone who studies, interprets and translates how the mind shapes the way we live."

Tais G.

Author and Behavioral Researcher

Sania

Learning from Harvard professors while based in Brazil showed me that excellence can be accessible anywhere. For me, the HarvardX verification represents curiosity, commitment and conscious growth, a reminder that learning transforms not just our thinking but the way we show up in the world.

Tais G.

The Neuroscience [course] has strengthened my understanding of human behavior, motivation, and decision‑making, enabling me to design more effective leadership and communication strategies.

Enriqueta D

Executive Director

Completing the MCB80.1x course was an important milestone in my learning journey. This experience strengthened my confidence to continue deepening my studies through additional courses and academic programs, and to apply neuroscience concepts in a practical and thoughtful way within my professional work. I am truly grateful for the role Harvard Online has played in my professional development.

Sônia N.

Strategic Communication Advisor

Ways to take this course

Audit or Pursue a Verified Certificate

A Verified Certificate costs $249 and provides unlimited access to full course materials, activities, tests, and forums. At the end of the course, learners who earn a passing grade can receive a certificate.

⁠Alternatively, learners can Audit the course for free and have access to select course material, activities, tests, and forums. Please note that this track does not offer a certificate for learners who earn a passing grade.

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