PSYC 5588 Behavioral Neuroimmunology: Immune Modulation of Brain and Behavior

Name: Behavioral Neuroimmunology: Immune Modulation of Brain and Behavior
Rating: 4.93 (15 reviews)

This course will focus on the role of the immune system in brain function and behavior, both during homeostasis and in disease states. Topics will include developmental roles for immune cells and molecules, immune response to brain infection and trauma, inflammation in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and the gut-brain axis. Emphasis will be placed on microglia -- the resident immune cells of the brain -- as well as on the influence of factors such as experience and biological sex on brain-immune interactions.

Course overview

Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
School: MCAS
Credits: 3
Level: Both
Offered: Periodically

Catalog details

Prerequisites: PSYC2285

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

Neuroscience B.S.: Systems Neuroscience (3 Credits) — Any one of the following courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating: 4.93 / 5 · Excellent
15 responses
Instructor rating: 4.93 / 5 · Excellent
15 responses
Terms evaluated: 1
Most recent: Fall 2024

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
Term	Instructor	Course overall	Instructor overall	Well organized	Clear learning objectives	Intellectually challenging	Helpful assignments	Applicable beyond course	Attendance necessary	Weekly effort	Responses
Fall 2024	Caroline J Smith	4.9	4.9	4.9	4.9	4.7	4.9	5.0	4.9	1–3 hrs/week	15 of 16

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Caroline J Smith
Fall 2026, Fall 2024 · Official rating 4.93/5

Sections

Section 01
Fall 2026 · Caroline J Smith · Mcguinn Hall 332 W 01:00PM-03:30PM · Offered