BIO 418/518 Integrative Neuroscience, Spring 2012

This course examines the major functions of the nervous system, perception and motor control, at molecular, cellular, and systems levels. In addition, it considers the neural basis of behavior, and the cellular and molecular basis of neural diseases. At the end of the course, students should be able to (1) describe the cellular basis of sensory transduction for all the major senses, (2) identify how sensory information is transformed by the brain, (3) describe the ways that motor commands are initiated in the brain and carried out, (4) describe how the brain develops and the molecular signaling pathways involved, and (5) identify the current understanding of the basis for major neural diseases.

Prerequisite: BIO 417/517

Time and Location: MWF 9–9:50, Talbert 115

Textbook: Neuroscience (Fourth Edition) by Purves et al.

Grading: Letter grades will be determined from 4 in-class midterms of 100 points each (400 total points).  An optional comprehensive final will also be offered.  The final will be worth 100 points, and, if it is higher, will replace the lowest midterm grade.  Your grade cannot be hurt by taking the comprehensive. No extra credit will be given.  Grades will be posted on UBLearns.

Grading scale:  >90% = A, 80–89% = B, 70–79% = C, 60–69% = D, <60% = F
A curve may also be applied and plusses and minuses assigned at the instructors’ discretion.

Makeup policy: Make-up exams are allowed only for medical reasons.  To schedule a makeup exam, you  must submit a signed doctor’s note explaining why you could not attend the exam at the normal time.  The note must include the doctor’s name and phone number for verification.  If you must miss an exam for a non-excused reason, you may take the optional comprehensive final to replace the missed exam.  There will be no makeup for the comprehensive exam.

It is each student’s responsibility to attend lecture, take notes, and study the material covered.  Each student is responsible for any announcement given in class.

Bio 518

This portion of the course is to give graduate students better insight into the current literature, by analyzing recent or seminal papers in great detail. Recitation sections are held on the Mondays indicated from 1–3 PM in Cooke 109. Papers are related to topics in the lecture part of the course. Be prepared to answer detailed questions related to the importance of the paper, the methods used, the experimental findings, and the significance of the study. The grade for 518 is based on performance on the exams (400 points) plus in recitations (133 points). Grades are not curved. Attendance at all recitations is required. Missing two or more recitations will result in a zero for the recitation grade.

Lecture Outline

*Chapters and page numbers refer to readings in the Purves book. “BB” means readings will be announced in class and posted on UBLearns.