From Synapse to Network

6 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5234SYTN6Y

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

Course manual 2019/2020

Course content

  1. The second part of the book “Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology” by Hammond will be presented by the students, thereby integrate the knowledge of the course “Neurophysiology” into the functioning of a large variety of neuronal microcircuits that perform a wealth of specific tasks in the neural network. The lectures you give and the discussion you initiate will be evaluated.
  2. You will develop hands-on methodological skills for the analysis of neuroanatomical data. This part consists of computer lab tutorials, to get hands on experience using real neuroanatomical datasets.
  3. You will study disease related changes in neurobiology and pharmacotherapy. The topic of epilepsy will be used as an example neuropathology (lectures and journal clubs).
  4. The mechanisms of synaptic plasticity like long term potentiation and depression will be considered (lectures and journal clubs).
  5. You will continue with the grant proposal assignment.

 

Study materials

Literature

  • Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology. Constance Hammond Academic Press, 4th edition, 2015 ISBN: 9780123970329. - Price ± 115,00 euro  - You can buy this book on Amazon.com, Bol.com or the Elsevier webstore.

Other

  • Journal papers will be provided (Canvas)

Objectives

  • review a chapter on neurophysiology and present, critique, and discuss the contents of the chapter.
  • compose basic signal analysis on neurophysiological data with the use of Matlab.
  • explain the underlying neurobiological aspects of epilepsy and the mechanism of action of pharmacotherapy.
  • discriminate between the different forms of synaptic plasticity.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Seminar
  • Laptop 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 all activities is of the highest importance. You are expected to demonstrate a critical scientific attitude. Active participation in discussions and well prepared presentations are part of learning how to express your scientific expertise.

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

  

lectures

24

  

laptop tutorial

10

  

exam

3

  

presentations

10

  
presentation grant proposal

 

4

  

self study / working on assignments

117

  

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

The students are advised to attend all lectures ('H' in datanose). The computer practicals ('LC' in datanose) and tutorials ('WC' in datanose) are compulsory.

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.6 (60%)

Tentamen

Must be ≥ 5

0.2 (20%)

presentation Hammond chapter

Must be ≥ 5

0.2 (20%)

Presentation - Grant proposal

Must be ≥ 5

Assignment - morphological analysis of neurons

Must be ≥ pass

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

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

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

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. N.L.M. Cappaert

Staff

  • dr. N.L.M. Cappaert
  • dr. P.J.P. Chameau
  • dr. J.A. Gorter
  • Helmut Kessels
  • dr. ing. E.A. van Vliet
  • dr. T.R. Werkman