Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Course manual 2021/2022

Course content

In this course you will engulf yourself in the fundamental processes underlying the functioning of our brain. The focus will be on the basic principles of neuroanatomy, neurodevelopment, neurotransmission and plasticity. Focus point will be the intact and the pathological brain.

During the course you will test and deepen your theoretical knowlegde in practicals and workgroup sessions. Research practicals include anatomical preparations of the rat and sheep brain and measurements on axon preparations. In the latter you will design, perform, analyse and present a neurophysiological experiment.

In addition you will acquire a basic understanding of the programming language Python that you will use in programming computational neuroscience model systems.

Study materials

Literature

• Purves Neuroscience, international 6th edition

Objectives

• The student can recognize and describe the neuroanatomy of the brain on a macroscopic and microscopic level
• The student has a basic understanding of the connections within and between brain areas and the networks they are part of
• The student has insight in the neuronal development
• The student can explain the neurophysiological and chemical aspects of neurotransmission
• The student has insight in the plastic properties of the brain in general and synaptic connections in detail
• The student can explain the neuronal principles of learning & memory processes
• The student has insight in techniques in neuroscience and can evaluate their contributions in our inderstanding of our brain
• The student can analyse scientific publications and report the esssentials
• The student has a basic knowledge of programming in Python and can demonstrate that by programming a neurobiological modelsystem

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Laptop seminar
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

The teaching methods are stacked. Per subject individual lectures, self-study, and (laptop)seminars  are used to acquire and update fundamental neuroscientific knowledge. In the lab sessions, practical trainings and excursions this knowledge is deepened and connections between subjects are made and reinforced. The computational skills are acquired by interacting with a 'robot', in which neurobiological processes can be  studied and tested.

Learning activities

Academic skills

A number of academic skills are practiced and assessed.

Indepth reading and understanding scientific literature and the ability to extract the essentials. This is assessed by presenting the results in a symposium.

The ability to operate in a logical manner when operationalizing a basic theoretical computational problem into a concise 'working' code. This is assessed by a live demonstration of your robots abilities.

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in all practical sessions, computer sessions, and seminars in the curriculum is obligatory.
  

Additional requirements for this course:

The above mentioned requirements is also applicable to all 'live' online (computer)practicals and workgroups.

If in case of personal circumstances (such as illness or special family events or issues) you are unable to participate in a required meeting, contact the course coordinator by e-mail. The course coordinator discusses available possibilities and or options with you.

In case of being unable to follow the program for a longer period of time (in excess of 1 week) also contact your study advisor.

In case still Covid-19 rules apply: Abide to the Dutch RIVM regulations at all times, even is this means you have to miss one or more required meetings. Here also, contact your course coordinator to discuss and find a proper solution.

Assessment

The course consists of two theoretical partial exams, two graded presentations and one graded final computational assignment. The two partial exams have one resit that covers the subjects of the whole course.  For the presentations and the computational assignment a retake will be available during the course.

Only the final calculated weighted grade is rounded according to the TER (OER) regulations.

Inspection of assessed work

The communication is dealt with via CANVAS announcements and/or email.

Assignments

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.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. A.B. Mulder