Behavioral Neuroscience Syllabus

 

Text Readings

B: Bear  2001 required

Z: Zigmond 1999 suppl

Class

Topic

1

Introduction & Course Organization

 

2

Historical Highlights; Tools & Methods in Behavioral Neuroscience

B: 1

3

Cellular Elements (Neurons & Glia); Cellular organization of CNS

B2; B7; Z3; Z4

4

Excitable Cell Neurobiology:  Membranes, Potentials, Channels, Pumps

B3; Z6

5

Excitable Cell Neurobiology:  Action Potentials; Currents; Voltage-Gated Ion Channels; Action Potential Conduction

B4

6

SynapticTransmission I: Basic Properties & Principles--Synaptic Potentials, Transmitters, Synthesis & Release; Receptors

B5

7

Synaptic Transmission II: Cholinergic & Monoaminergic Systems

(Localization, Neurochemistry, Receptors, Neuropharmacology)

B6 (130-147)

B15 (512-520); Z8

8

Synaptic Transmission III: Glutatmate & GABA Systems; Peptides; Others (Localization, Neurochemistry, Receptors, Neuropharmacology)

 

9

Synaptic Transmission IV:  Ligand-Gated & G-Protein-Coupled Receptors

B6 (147-161); Z9

10

Synaptic Transmission V:  Receptors and Intracellur Signaling Mechanisms of Neuronal Communication and Neuroplasticity

Z10

11

Signaling Mechanisms of Neurons; Chemical Senses as a Model System

B8

12

EXAM 1

 

13

Overview of CNS Organization & Development: Sensory, Motor Limbic, Cortical, Autonomic & Neuroendocrine System; Comp Tutorial

B7 (& Appdx.); B15 (497-512);   Z2 

14

Sensory Transduction

B9 (281-301); B11 (351-368; 385-389); B12: (397-402); Z24

15

Vision  (cellular function and organization; cortical representation; visual experience and critical periods of development)

B9 (301-311);

B10; B22 (721-737)

16

Audition;  Somesthesis and Pain

B11 (368-385);

B12 (403-435); Z27

17

Motor Systems: Structural & Functional Organization; Motor Disorders

B13 & B14; Z34

18

Sleep and Biological Rhythms

B19; Z46

19

Regulatory Systems and Motivated Behavior (feeding; drinking)

[Take Home Exam handed out]

B15;

 B16; Z37

20

Sex and Brain: Hormones, Development, Dimorphic Brain & Behavior

B: 17; Z47

21

Brain Mechanisms of Emotional Experience, Expression & Learning; anxiety, fear & aggression [Take Home Exam due]

B18; Z48

22

Brain Mechanisms of Emotions: Hedonic Experience

B18; Z49

23

Mental Illness: Neurobiological theories and treatment

B21

24

Memory and Memory Disorders: Brain Systems of Declarative and Working Memory

B23; Z56

25

Neural Systems and Molecular Mechanisms of Learning & Memory

B23

26

Synaptic Plasticity & Mechanisms of Information Storage [Paper due]

B24; Z55

27-30

Student Presentations on Topics in Neurobiology of Behavioral or Mental Processes, see sample listing (20 min each)

B20; Z54; Z57; Z58 Language &Attention

Fnl

Final Exam (Bear Chapts 17,18,20, 21, 23, 24, & student presentations)

 

 Required Text:   Bear, Connors & Paradiso (2001).  Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 2nd Edition, Lippencott Williams & Wilkins

Supplemental Text (on reserve): Zigmond et al. (1999).  Fundamental Neuroscience, Academic Press,

Other readings from the current literature will be assigned and placed on electronic reserve.

Major Paper and Presentation.  Research Paper (15-20 text pages, plus references, double spaced).  The focus of the paper must be derived from some aspect of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience representing content from Chapters 16-24 in the Bear text.  Topics concerning abnormal functioning, behavioral or mental disorders, effects of drug abuse, cognitive dysfunction, or developmental disorders are typically popular, but the neurobiology and experimental analysis of normal behavioral functions or processes can also be pursued (.e.g, working memory; spatial cognition).   The guidelines for the paper will be provided in class.               

         The presentation will be a lecture/seminar (approximately 20 minutes) on the topic of your paper.  The goal of the presentation is to educate the class on the major issues and current research status of the topic.  Although the paper may have substantial depth of detail on certain research directions, the presentation should balance broad understanding of the topic with sufficient depth of knowledge of the research base. 

Performance and Grades:  Exams are considered teaching tools to enhance your assimilation of knowledge.  The paper and presentation are means to acquire depth of knowledge in areas of interest and to gain experience in critically important skills of written and oral communication 

            Exams (3; 100 points each)                                                                                300

            Major paper                                                                                                      100

            Presentation                                                                                                        50

Sample Paper Topics (others topics may be chosen from content of Chapters 16-24 in the Bear text).

   

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revised 05/29/01