Neuroscience: From Cell to Behaviour

Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

From Cell to Behaviour will provide students with up-to-date insights into fundamental
aspects of brain function in various organisms, predominantly rodents and humans, and with a focus on
theory, experimental approaches, and the translation of findings from the non-human 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 use this specific knowledge
of neuroscience and learn more about cellular and systemic processes underlying cognition and 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 have
experienced.

Specific topics can include (with reservation):

• Chemo- and optogenetic manipulation of memory and addiction
• Metabolic disorders and mechanisms
• Stress, early life events, and synapses
• Learning and memory: neurogenesis, (re)consolidation and pathological memory
• Empathy and social behaviour
• Dopamine and compulsive behavior
• Memory-consolidation and neuronal firing patterns
• Stress-induced eating behavior and metabolic dysfunction
• The effects of exercise on stress resilience
• 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 (i.e. research topic) that was presented at the Amsterdam Neuroscience Annual Meeting. Guest lecture topic knowledge and knowledge development will be tested via day-tests and a final exam. 

Study materials

Literature

• Research articles (offered via Canvas or self-sought)

Objectives

• Identify important molecular and cellular substrates of behaviour
• Understand how these substrates are causally and reciprocally linked to behaviour
• Critically assess various theories, experiments and their interpretation in (cognitive) neurobiology
• Understand the promises and pitfalls of translational research for human health and disease
• Analyze a poster at a scientific meeting and position it in the broader field of brain and cognitive sciences
• Be able to communicate the findings of a complex scientific publication to peers in presentation form

Teaching methods

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

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.

Assessment

A Day-test is a ‘closed-book exam’, i.e. no handwritten notes, books and electronic equipment are allowed. Phones and laptops/iPads in your bag.

The final exam is a ‘closed-book exam’, i.e. no handwritten notes, books and electronic equipment are allowed. Phones and laptops/iPads in your bag. When a 5.4 or lower is scored for the final exam, this wil result in a resit. 

Assignments

• Day-test grade: Highlights lectures by guest lecturers end with a day-test with multiple-choice questions which you answer in writing. This is graded individually. The average of the tests makes up the final 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 open and 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.

Last year's student feedback

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