Experimental Neurobiology

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

During this course, students will get hands-on experience with various commonly used research methods in the field of neuroscience and learn to critically evaluate the (dis)advantages of each of these techniques for answering specific research questions.

Topics that will be addressed are:

• neuronal activity and neuronal communication;
• (comparative) brain anatomy;
• animal behaviour test;
• molecular techniques;
• immunohistochemistry;
• electrophysiology;
• microscopy;

Students will learn more about these topics by means of seminars given by specialists in the field, practical work (in the lab as well as behind the computer), lab tours, written assignments and presentations.

Study materials

Literature

• Recent review, book chapters  and research articles are the base of lectures and practicals. These are announced on Canvas.

Syllabus

• The course syllabus, including instruction to perform the activities included in this course, is made available on Canvas

Practical training material

• All the materials necessary to perform the practical activities included in this course are provided by the course organization.

Software

• The software required to perform the practical "Neurons in action" is provided by the course organization.

Objectives

• Explain where neuronal activity originates and how neurons communicate
• Recognize the major (sub)anatomical structures in the (mammalian) brain and explain their main function(s)
• Execute basic experiments using different tasks commonly used in behavioural neuroscience
• Critically evaluate the (dis)advantages of behavioural tasks and molecular/cellular biology techniques for answering specific research questions in the field of behavioral neuroscience
• Critically evaluate published research in the field of behavioural neuroscience
• Understand ethical aspects and best practices for research in behavioural neuroscience
• Understand the difference between conceptualisation and operationalisation of variables used in behavioural neuroscience
• Create a valid research plan to investigate open questions in behavioural neuroscience

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Introductory lectures, (computer) practicum, lab practicals and site visits (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience)

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. In the case of practicals, the student must attend at least 80%. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the practical, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
2. In the case of study-group sessions with assignments, the student must attend at least 80% of the study-group sessions. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the study group, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.

Additional requirements for this course:

To pass this course, students need to comply with the requirements stated in the  OER B. Exceptions can only be granted by the Examinations Board.

Assessment

The requirements to pass the partial exam are as established by the OER B.

Inspection of assessed work

Contact your supervisor to make an appointment for inspection.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Last year's student feedback

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student feedback to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• Carlos Fitzsimons