Special Course Descriptions
Biology Studies
BIO 394-11 SpTp: Neurobiology
Modern neurobiology is an attempt at understanding the higher functions of the brain like learning and memory, perception, consciousness and behavior. Traditionally neurobiologists approach the brain from an anatomical, physiological and behavioral point of view. But developments in molecular biology in the last 20 years have enabled neuroscientists to look at the brain from a cellular and molecular point of view.
The first part of this course will focus on the cell biology of neurons and will address in detail, the structure of the neuron and neuronal synapse, neurotransmitters, membrane potential, generation of action potentials, excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials, synaptic plasticity, the molecular basis of learning and memory, dendritic integration and information processing at the single neuron level.
The second part will focus on nervous system development and will address the molecular basis of neural induction, neurogenesis and migration, cellular determination, growth cones and axonal path-finding, target selection, topographic mapping and synapse formation, programmed cell death and neurotrophic factors, synapse elimination, sensory and motor systems.
Finally, we will look at the current research in the cellular basis of behavior and experimental approaches to address the neural correlate of consciousness.
I plan to use a cellular neuroscience text book as a basis for the course, but will be using primary and secondary literature to discuss the various topics mentioned. Landmark papers will be used to illustrate the utility of diverse model systems like drosophila, aplysia, mouse and human subjects.
Prerequisites: Bio-111&112, one 200 level BIO course.