Neuroscience: From cell to behaviour

Course manual 2019/2020

Course content

The ‘From Cell to Behaviour’ course will provide the students with up-to-date insight into fundamental
aspects of brain function in various organisms, predominantly rodents and humans, and with a focus on
theory, experimental approaches, and interpretation and translatability of findings to the human
situation.

In this course we will discuss molecular and cellular determinants of brain function and brain structure.
Important topics include cellular activity and synaptic plasticity. We will then use this specific knowledge
of neuroscience and learn more about cellular and systemic processes that underlie behaviour. Finally,
we will discuss how environmental variables can influence behaviour and even induce disease states.

During the course, students will be introduced to a wide variety of experimental methods and
techniques that are relevant for preclinical and/or clinical behavioural neuroscience. As preclinical
research is still key to providing us with insight into molecular (mal)adaptations underlying (aberrant)
behaviour, we will also discuss advantages and disadvantages of both clinical and preclinical research,
the current “crisis” of translatability in preclinical research, and (personal) challenges that topic experts
experienced.

Specific topics can include (with reservation): Optogenetic manipulation of memory research and
addiction; Hypothalamic integration mechanisms underlying rhythms and clocks of life; Metabolic
disorders and mechanisms; Stress, early life events, and synapses; Learning and memory: about
neurogenesis, (re)consolidation and pathological memory; Empathy and social behaviour; Sleep and
cognition; Dopamine and compulsive behavior; Memory-consolidation and neuronal firing patterns; Stress-induced eating behavior and metabolic dysfunction; The effects of exercise on stress resilience; Non-invasive imaging of neurotransmitter systems in humans; The human brain and multiple sclerosis; The Netherlands Brain Bank. 

Students will have to summarize a recently published article from a high-impact journal in presentation
form (for academic experts. Students will also write an academic summary and future perspectives related to a poster (topic) presented at the Amsterdam Neuroscience Annual Meeting. Guest lecture topic knowledge and knowledge development will be tested during day-tests and a final exam. 

Objectives

• Identify important molecular and cellular substrates of behaviour.
• Understand how these substrates are causally and reciprocally linked to behavior
• Critically assess various theories, experiments and their interpretation in (cognitive) neurobiology
• Understand the impact of translational research for human health and disease.
• Be able to interpret a poster at a scientific meeting and integrate the poster topic into larger academic questions
• Be able to analyze a complex scientific publication
• Be able to communicate the findings of a complex scientific publication to peers in presentation form

Teaching methods

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

Lectures provide fundamental knowledge and a deeper look into how knowledge about the neuroscientific study of behavior is constructed and experienced. Designing and performing a presentation for peers about a complex data article will test the student's insight and ability to communicate about research (quality). The students will attend the Amsterdam Neuroscience Annual Meeting and will write a poster summary and perspective essay to test their ability to reflect on the content of a poster and its implications on future research.

Learning activities

Attendance

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

1. In the case of practicals, the student must attend at least 80%. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the practical, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
2. In the case of study-group sessions with assignments, the student must attend at least 80% of the study-group sessions. Should the student attend less than 80%, he/she must redo the study group, or the Examinations Board may have one or more supplementary assignments issued.
3. The student must attend 80% of the teaching per study unit of the mandatory courses, entry courses and specialisation courses.

Assessment

Assignments

• Day-test grade: Highlights lectures by guest lecturers end with a day-test with either open or multiple-choice questions which you answer in writing. This is graded individually. The worst grade is left out and the
  average of the remaining tests makes up the day-test grade.
• Poster summary and perspective essay: students have to write an 1-page essay based on a poster presented at the Amsterdam Neuroscience Annual Meeting. The students will have to summarize the topic and work presented on the poster, and integrate the poster into big and important academic questions. This is graded individually.
• Presentation: each student will work on one topic (provided by the course organizer) resulting in one oral presentation per student. This is graded individually. 
• Final exam: each student will do a final exam, with either open or multiple-choice questions, which you answer in writing. This is graded individually. 

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.

Additional information

 To be prepared for the course, we recommend the following readings
- Principles of Neuroscience: Kandel, Schwartz, Jessel
- Cognitive Neuroscience: Gazzaniga
- Biological Psychology: Kalat

Max 24 students

Last year's course evaluation

In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. J.D. Mul