Neural development is the process by which the nervous system grows from relative small numbers of progenitor cells in the early embryo to a mature, complex and functional system. Combining neuroscience and developmental biology, this course is devoted to discuss how the diversity of neurons and glia, and the connections among them are acquired during development. Topics include nervous system patterning, differentiation of neurons, cell migration, neuronal polarity, guidance mechanisms, target selection, synapse formation, and activity dependent plasticity of synapse formation. Examples from vertebrate and invertebrate model systems will be covered.