Course manual 2025/2026
Course content
Topics/subjects:
- Lectures in advanced neurodevelopment
- Lectures in neurodevelopment of the midbrain
- Practical course in midbrain development
- Bioinformatics course
- Expert guest speakers
- Journal clubs
- Meet the expert technology workshops
Subjects the student will master at the end of the course:
- The molecular mechanisms underlying general neurodevelopment
- The molecular cascades underlying dopaminergic midbrain development
- How to design an experimental setup in order to investigate the role of a transcription factor in midbrain development
- How to integrate state of the art techniques and current knowledge into the formulation of a research question
Study materials
Syllabus
- Study material and information will be provided at the course and will consist of a selection of excellent scientific papers published in international high-impact journals.
Objectives
- distinguish and interpret neurodevelopmental processes.
- criticize and evaluate scientific literature on neurodevelopmental processes.
- independently design and execute an experiment in a laboratory.
- evaluate experimental results (from a self designed experiment).
- design, analyse and criticize an experiment (using bio-informatic tools).
- interpret experimental results and present these in an oral presentation to a scientifically oriented public.
- formulate a relevant research question about a neurological disease, using current literature and technology.
- design an innovative and state-of-art research strategy.
- to present a self designed research strategy, both in a written report and in an oral presentation, to a scientifically oriented public.
Teaching methods
- Lecture
- Seminar
- Computer lab session/practical training
- Presentation/symposium
- Self-study
- Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
- Supervision/feedback meeting
The courses will be both of theoretical and practical in nature. The student will attend lectures, perform experiments, critically evaluate literature, and give presentations covering the practical work and literature performed and discussed during the course. In addition an assignment covering all three courses will be completed.
Learning activities
Activity | Number of hours |
Computerpracticum | 8 |
Hoorcollege | 44 |
Practicum | 40 |
Tentamen | 4 |
Werkcollege | 24 |
Zelfstudie | 4 |
Zelfstudie | 44 |
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.
Assessment
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
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
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A course in molecular biology and/or neurobiology is advised
The maximum number of students is 20.
Coordinator