Please note that some courses may be offered alternating years.
Neuroscience Institute courses (NUIN) may be offered on
the Chicago campus. A free shuttle
runs between the Evanston and Chicago campuses.
BIOL SCI 417 Alzheimer’s
Disease
Seminar concerning the molecular biology of Alzheimer’s disease. Emphasizes
teamwork in the analysis of stat-of-the-art research articles and creation of
novel theories and research strategies.
NUIN-433 Neurobiology of Disease
This is a survey course aiming to orient graduate students in neuroscience
or related disciplines to important neurological diseases and general
aspects of related research. For every session, a neurological clinician
presents an hour of material aimed at oriented the students to the
disease process in question (for example, multiple sclerosis), which
is followed by a second lecture given by a basic scientist focused
on a relatively narrow research question. Papers are discussed in a
second session related to the research question. The examination consists
of writing a small NIH-style grant on a neuroscience research question.
NUIN-440 Advanced
Neuroanatomy
Designed to provide a fundamental understanding of neuroanatomy,
this course considers the nervous system from both structural and
functional
perspectives, resulting in an integrated view of the brain. In
addition to lectures and demonstrations, about half the time is devoted
to
laboratory exercises in which students view histological sections
and participate
in the dissection of a human brain.
NUIN-447 Neural Plasticity
Discussion based course covering classic and current concepts in
neural plasticity. Structural, electrophysiological and functional
plasticity
of neural circuitry will be studied in relation to issues such
as sensory adaptation, learning and neural responses to injury.
Evaluation
based
on class participation, oral presentation and a paper. By instructor permission only.
NUIN-452
Sensorimotor Integration
Objectives: A reading course that deals with the neurophysiology
and computational modeling of eye and limb movement control.
We discuss the signal processing roles of the cerebral cortex,
cerebellum,
basal
ganglia,
and brainstem. It meets once per week for 3 hours and the
students are evaluated on the basis of their presentations of the
papers
and on the
quality of a term paper synthesizing the course material. By instructor permission only.
NUIN-455
Instrumentation for Neuroscience
This is a practical course in electronics and mechanical
instrumentation ranging from Ohm's law, power supplies,
and fasteners, to machining,
microprocessors, and computers. We will cover the basics
of instrumentation theory, design, construction, use, repair,
and safety. We will
emphasize basic machine shop practices and basic to intermediate
level applications
of active electronics devices (integrated circuits or ICs).
No prior knowledge is required.
NUIN – 465 Channel Biophysics:
Ion Channels of Excitable Cells
“
This course is intended as an advanced course in channel biophysics for
students likely to conduct research in closely related fields. The course
will follow “Ion channels of excitable membranes”(3rd edition)
by Bertil Hille, the textbook that is widely described as the “bible” for
channel biophysics. In the nine weeks of the quarter, students will read
the 9 chapters that form Part One of the text. All students will read
all chapters; each week, a different student will be responsible for
leading the discussion of the main points of that chapter. The instructor
will facilitate each discussion, explaining ideas that are likely to
be difficult to master upon first reading, and bringing out the relationships
between the ideas in different chapters. Students will be evaluated based
on the quality of their participation in the discussions (as presenter
and as non-presenter) and on a written paper on a channel of their choice,
due at the end of the quarter.
NUIN-470 Cellular and Molecular Basis of
Information Storage
A literature based course focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms
by which information is stored in the nervous system. A theoretical and
historical review will review contributions of Cajal and Hebb, among
others. Consideration of how synapses change will review mechanisms of
long term potentiation and dendritic excitability; and studies of learning
and synaptic plasticity using electron microscopy, two photon confocal
microscopy and golgi neuronal imaging techniques. Progress in understanding
how memory for space (including place cells), associations and fear is
formed will be reviewed. Finally, the relation of genes to synapses and
memory will be considered in the context of transgenic and gene knockout
studies in mammals and invertebrates.
NUIN 473 -Aging & Dementia
Aging and age-related dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontal-lobe
dementias, and Parkinson’s disease.
NUIN-475 Nerve Excitation and
Synaptic Transmission
Neuroreceptors and ion channels have become one of the most important
topics in neuroscience as they play critical roles not only in the
physiological function of the nervous system but also in various neurological
disorders.
This course is designed to provide the very basic concepts of electrophysiological
properties and molecular structures of neuroreceptors/channels which
form the bases for understanding of the function of the central and
peripheral nervous system. The course comprises didactic lectures and
critical reading/discussion
of representative papers.
NUIN-478 Neuropharmacology of Brain Disorders
The course will focus on the neurobiology of central nervous system
disorders and the behavioral, molecular and neuropharmacological
mechanisms involved
in drug action. The format will include overview lectures and student
presentations concerning the use of neurochemical, molecular, electrophysiological
and behavioral techniques in the study of psychiatric, anxiety and
substance abuse disorders and dementia. The course will begin with
a general overview
of the major neurotransmitters and neuromodulator systems in the
CNS, their associated receptor systems and molecular and cellular
mechanisms
of regulation. Specific disorders will serve as models to analyze
specific alterations in cellular and behavioral systems and abnormal
gene products.
NUIN-480 Neural Control of Movement
This will be an annually-offered, intermediate-level course dealing
with the neural mechanisms whereby the brain and spinal cord process
sensory
information to control movement. The course will meet twice weekly
to discuss and interpret key literature selected from the field
of motor
control. Prior to each meeting, students will be asked to read
two or three important recent publications, and two students will
be
assigned to give an in-depth presentation and interpretation of
the papers.
The
instructor will give a brief orientation to the topic at the beginning
of the session and will provide summary remarks after the student
presentations. Session topics and papers will be selected annually
by the course organizers
with the aim of emphasizing the integrative role of the spinal
cord, brainstem, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum in
the generation
and regulation of movement commands and in the translation of these
commands into skilled motor acts. Students will be evaluated on
the quality of
their presentations, classroom performance and on the quality of
a final paper they will write aimed toward integrating several
of the
topics
covered in the individual course sessions.
NUIN-482 Stem Cells:
From the Embryo to Regeneration
The following topics will be covered:
1. Stem cells in early development
2. Adult stem cells
3. Stem cells of the hematopoietic system: a plastic model
4. Neural stem cells: from pluripotency to fate restrictions
5. Transdifferentation of stem cells from different organ systems
6. Techniques to manipulate stem cells in vitro
7. Transplantation of stem cells
8. Targeting stem cells for gene therapy
9. The ethics of using human stem cells in research
CSD-301 Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal Mechanism
Anatomical and physiological mechanisms of breathing, phonation, and
articulation. Laboratories include dissection and participation in
physiological research.
CSD-302 Anatomy and Physiology of the Hearing Mechanism
Gross and fine structure; function of peripheral auditory system.
CSD-514
Seminar: Topics in Auditory Physiology
Problems in the biophysics and physiology of hearing.
PSYCH-312 Neurobiology and Behavior
First quarter: Neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, sensory processes, and
examples of electorphysiological substrates of behavior. Second quarter:
Neuroanatomical, electrophysiological, and biochemical substrates of
learning, memory, arousal, pleasure, pain, and biofeedback.
PSYCH-321 Neuroscience and Behavior Laboratory
Classical exercises in the physiological psychology laboratory, including
brain stimulation, brain-wave recording, brain surgery, neurohistology,
behavioral pharmacology, and electrophysiology.
PSYCH-324 Perception
Human perception, particularly vision. Also, hearing, tasting, smelling,
and touching. Biological foundations, development, and disorders of perception.
The senses’ role in everyday life.
PSYCH-448 Sensory Processes
A structural and functional survey of behavior determined primarily
by the sensory system, The special senses: vision, audition, gustation,
and olfaction. The role of sensory responding in learning.
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