From Synapse to Network

6 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5234SYTN6Y

Owner Master Biomedical Sciences
Coordinator dr. Natalie Cappaert
Part of Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks,

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

The 'from synapse to network' course has 3 components:

Topic lectures - you will study several neurobiological topics in (guest)lectures (brain development and the effect of endocannabinoids; Postsynaptic potentials (somatodendritic processing and action potentials); synaptic plasticity, LTP and LTD; the epileptic network and Alzheimer's disease).

Contemporary techniques in neuroscience / journal club - You'll explore neuroscientific techniques such as Ca2+ imaging, optogenetics, and more within a group setting, then share your findings with the rest of the group during a presentation.

Literature review - you will prepare a review within a group, based on a predefined neurobiological topic (i.e. endocannabinoids, epilepsy, etc.). At the end of the course, you will present you findings.

Study materials

Literature

  •  'Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology' - 5th Edition. By Constance Hammond Hardback

    Hardback ISBN: 9780323988117 / eBook ISBN: 9780323986137

Other

  • Journal papers will be provided (Canvas)

Objectives

  • integrate the neurophysiological fundamentals to interpret the functioning a local network (i.e. hippocampal network).
  • discriminate between the different forms of synaptic plasticity
  • explain the underlying neurobiological aspects of epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease
  • review, assess, discuss and present scientific literature critically

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Self-study
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

The course is a mixture of lectures, computer lab sessions, presentations, assignments, and discussions. Active participation in discussions and well prepared presentations are part of learning how to express your scientific expertise. You are expected to demonstrate a critical scientific attitude.

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

 

lectures

24

 

laptop tutorial

10

 

exam

3

 

presentations

14

 

self study / working on assignments

117

 

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

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 ('HC' in datanose). Workgroups, laptopbased-practicals, ‘laptopcollege’, WC /‘werkcolleges’/seminars, practicals/’practica’ are mandatory.

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.5 (50%)

Tentamen

0.1 (10%)

Journal club

0.4 (40%)

Review - presentation

Each part has to be graded with a 5.5 or higher to pass the examination

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator 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

You can find the time table of the course on datanose.nl

Additional information

Students are requested to bring their own laptop. More information on specific system requirements can be found here.

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. Natalie Cappaert

Staff

  • dr. N.L.M. Cappaert
  • dr. P.J.P. Chameau
  • dr. J.A. Gorter
  • Helmut Kessels