From Network to Behaviour

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

5234NETB6Y

Owner Master Biomedical Sciences
Coordinator dr. ing. E.A. van Vliet
Part of Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks,

Course manual 2025/2026

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 two or three 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

  • Summarize and present your project proposal using your own words;
  • Integrate literature and compose specific research questions for a project proposal;
  • Coordinate task allocation among students within a group endeavor to draft 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 practicals, discussions and well prepared
presentations are part of learning how to express your scientific expertise.

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

  

Lectures

12

  

Practical

24

  

Exam

2

  

Workgroup

4

  

Presentation

4

  

Self study/working  on assignments

122

  

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    The students are expected to attend all lectures, also as a courtesy to the invited lecturers ('WC or H' in datanose). The practical sessions (listed as 'Practicum' in Datanose) and workgroups (listed as 'WC' in Datanose) are mandatory.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    0.5 (50%)

    Tentamen

    		Must be ≥ 5.5

    0.1 (10%)

    Presentation

    		Must be ≥ 5.5

    0.4 (40%)

    Project proposal

    		Must be ≥ 5.5

    Behavioural analysis

    		Must be ≥ pass

    The project proposal and presentation are assessed by the lecturers, while the Neuroanatomy component is evaluated based on participation in the dissection room and performance in the written exam. The final grade is determined by calculating the weighted average of these assessments. A minimum grade of 5.5 must be attained for each assessment. Furthermore, you have to pass the assignment 'Behavioral analysis’. If you have to retake the project proposal, the maximum achievable grade  is 6.  

    Inspection of assessed work

    Inspection on request, via appointment with the course 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’.

    The project proposal is written in a group of 3-4  students ; presentation of the project will be individually graded.

    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 timetable of the course on DataNose

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. ing. E.A. van Vliet

    Staff

    • prof. dr. R.J. Oostra
    • prof. dr. H.W. Kessels
    • dr. P.J.P. Chameau
    • dr. B.J. Jongbloets
    • dr. S.L. Lesuis
    • L. Lumeij, Msc