Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

The major aim of this course is to deepen your fundamental knowledge of neurophysiology and molecular neuroscience. This first course of the master track will focus on cellular neurophysiology, studying the ion channels and receptors in neurons and the principles of neuronal communication. There will be an intense lecture series considering the advanced properties of neurons (receptors, channels, membrane potentials and neuronal firing) based on the book of Hammond. This part is accompanied by a computer practical course (Neurons in Action) that illustrates all the various properties and aspects. This part is evaluated by a written examination.

Study materials

Literature

The main (obligatory) book for this course is: The main (obligatory) book for this course is: 'Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology' - 5th Edition. By Constance Hammond Hardback

Hardback ISBN: 9780323988117 / eBook ISBN: 9780323986137

You can buy this book on the Elsevier webstore.

https://shop.elsevier.com/books/cellular-and-molecular-neurophysiology/hammond/978-0-323-98811-7

Please be sure you have this book at the start of the course otherwise you cannot participate!
Students who follow the PSN Master Track are advised to have at least one basic textbook that covers most of the issues on neuroscience at the appropriate level. For example “Principles of neural science” (Kandel) or “Fundamental Neuroscience” (Squire).

Practical training material

Practicum instructions will be provided (Canvas)

Software

Neurons in Action 2: Tutorials and simulations using NEURON. ISBN: 978-1-60535-391-3 Website: Oxford University Press - Please be sure you have this Tutorial at the start of the course otherwise you cannot participate!

Objectives

students can explain the electrophysiological properties of single neurons;
students can illustrate how neurons communicate with each other;
students can dissect how the various postsynaptic receptors contribute to the establishment of postsynaptic signals;

Teaching methods

Lecture
Computer lab session/practical training
Self-study

The course is a mixture of lectures and computer practicals courses. Active participation in all activities is of the highest importance

Learning activities

Activity	hours
Computer practical	40
Lectures	28
Exam	3
self study	97
Total	168	(6 EC x 28 hours)

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 advised to attend all lectures ('hoorcollege'). Workgroups, laptopbased-practicals, ‘laptopcollege’, WC /‘werkcolleges’/seminars, practicals/’practica’ are mandatory.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
1 (100%) Tentamen

You can find more info about the exam on Canvas.

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

Assignments

Information about Neurons in Action assignments will be provided during the course and on Canvas.

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 schedule on rooster.uva.nl

Additional information

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

Owner	Master Biomedical Sciences
Coordinator	dr. P.J.P. Chameau PhD
Part of	Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks,

Neurophysiology