From Network to Behaviour

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

The course ‘From Network to behaviour’ consists of four parts.

1. Human neuroanatomy - A hands on human brain dissection practical, in which you will dissect a human brain, working in pairs. 
2. You will develop hands-on methodological skills for the analysis of behavior. This part consists of computer lab tutorials, to get hands on experience using real behavioral datasets.
3. Writing assignment  and presentation– you will write a project proposal together with one or two of your peers, based on your presentation subject in the second course and present this proposal
4. Lectures on seminal topics from experts in the field.

Study materials

Syllabus

• Dissection manual for neuroanatomy (see Canvas)

Objectives

• conduct literature research and use this scientific literature to get insights in a neurobiological topic;
• summarize literature using your own words;
• integrate literature and compose specific research questions for a project proposal;
• design relevant experiments that can answer the research question;
• exploring the topographic relations of structures in the human brain by means of dissection
• identify brain regions and explain their functions;
• analyze behavioral datasets

Teaching methods

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

You are expected to demonstrate a critical scientific attitude. Active participation in discussions and well prepared
presentations are part of learning how to express your scientific expertise.

Learning activities

Attendance

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

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

The students are advised to attend all lectures ('H' in datanose). The practicals ('Practicum' in datanose) and workgroups ('WC' in datanose) are compulsory.

Assessment

The writing assignment and presentation are graded and the Neuroanatomy part is judged on your activities in the dissection room and the written exam. The final grade is the weighted average of the marks. You have to achieve a minimum grade of 5,5 for each mark. If you have to retake the project writing the maximum grade achievable is 6.  Furthermore, you have to pass the assignment 'Behavioral analysis’.

Inspection of assessed work

Inspection on request, via appointment with coordinator

Assignments

During the assignment "Behavioral analysis" you will work in groups and get a behavioral dataset that needs to be analyzed. The results need to be presented. You have to pass the assignment 'Behavioral analysis’.

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.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. J.A. Gorter

Staff

• dr. J.A..Gorter (coordinator)
• dr. N.L.M. Cappaert
• dr. P.J.P. Chameau
• dr. S. Lesuis
• prof. dr. H. Kessels
• prof. dr. R.J. Oostra