Course Descriptions

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

(NS 5369-01)
Spring I-II
Credit: 3 hours
Robin Hiesinger, PhD 

The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to basic and fundamental concepts in the field of Neuroscience and prepare first year students for the advanced neuroscience courses. This course will provide an introduction and overview of several core neuroscience areas, including membrane physiology, ion channels, cellular neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, sensory and motor systems, brain regulation of behavior and body physiology, and neural development. Principles of Neural Science, Edited by Kandel, Schwarz and Jessell is the primary reading material. (Electives)    

Structure and Function of the Ion Channel

(NS 5164-01)
Fall I
Credit: 1.5 hours
Rolf Joho, PhD 

In this class, we discuss functional aspects of ion channels from channel biophysics to cellular neurophysiology to behavior. The emphasis is on voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels. We will also discuss chloride-selective and ligand-gated gated ion channels. The goal of the class is to gain a general understanding of the different functions of ion channels, the structural elements that render these channels selective for a particular ion, and the interplay among different ion channels and the significance for excitable cells in tissues, such as the central nervous system, heart, and muscle.

The format of the class consists of interactive discussions of classical papers and of recent publications that are of central importance. We will read papers on the original cloning, structure determination, and the biological significance of ion channels in normal physiological processes, and of dysfunctional ion channels responsible for altered behavior, including channelopathies.

Neuropharmacology

(NS 5172-01)
Fall I
Credit: 1.5 hours  
Robert Greene, MD, PhD 

This is an eight-week course which reviews the principles and fundamentals of neuropharmacology. The course focuses on the major neurotransmitter-receptor systems in the brain and the mechanisms by which psychotropic drugs (including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, drugs of abuse, and others) affect the nervous system.

Chemical Neurotransmission

(NS 5161-01)
Fall II
Credit: 1.5 hours  
Weichun Lin, PhD 

This course covers basic concepts and current literature on structure, function and regulation of chemical synapses in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Emphasis is on critical evaluation of latest research topics with a strong basic understanding of essential concepts. Topics include calcium-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter release, molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, short and long-term synaptic plasticities, genetic manipulation of synaptic circuitry, and synaptogenesis.

Developmental Neurogenetics

(BSCI 5162-01)
Fall II
Credit: 1.5 hours  
Helmut Krämer, PhD

The goal of the course is to familiarize students with classic and modern concepts in developmental neurobiology and the experimental approaches and strategies aimed at addressing current questions in developmental neurobiology.

Heritable Neurological Diseases of Mice & Men

(NS 5163-01)
Spring I (Heritable Neurological Diseases of Mice & Men and Neural Control of Homeostasis will alternate in this position each year)
Dean Smith, MD, PhD
Credit: 1.5 hours  

Many diseases of the mammalian nervous system are the result of mutations in single or multiple genes. In this course, we will explore the major inherited neurological disorders involving sensory, motor, and higher integrative systems. Our primary focus will be diseases of humans, but we will also consider insights gained in mouse, fly, and worm model systems. This course will have a molecular orientation, with the goal of correlating the neurological phenotypes with the functions of the affected proteins. (1.5 semester hours). Experts on the various topics will present lectures, followed by student presentations of relevant literature.

Neural Control of Homeostasis

(NS 5096-01)
Spring I (Heritable Neurological Diseases of Mice & Men and Neural Control of Homeostasis will alternate in this position each year)
Credit: 1.5 hours
Joel Elmquist, DVM, PhD and Roberto Coppari, PhD

The hypothalamus is one of the most essential and evolutionarily conserved regions of the mammalian brain. It lies at the base of the brain and is remarkably small, being approximately 4-5 grams of the total ~1400 grams of the adult human brain weight. Absence of the hypothalamus is not compatible with life. In this course, we will explore the long array of diverse homeostatic processes that the hypothalamus governs. We will focus on hypothalamic-mediated control of body weight, glucose, and temperature homeostasis, as well as sleep/awake cycle and reproductive functions. Experts on the various topics will present lectures, followed by student presentations of relevant literature.

Neurobiology of Mental Illness

(NS 5096-01)
Spring I (Neurobiology of Mental Illness & Neurobiology of Drug Addiction will alternate in this position each year)
Credit: 1.5 hours
Lisa Monteggia, PhD 

The goal of this course is to provide an understanding of the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders to second and third year neuroscience graduate students. This course will highlight recent developments within depression, schizophrenia, and other related psychiatric illnesses, as well as emphasizing the importance of translational research to achieve a better understanding of these diseases.

Neurobiology of Drug Addiction

(NS 5197-01)
Spring I (Neurobiology of Mental Illness & Neurobiology of Drug Addiction will alternate in this position each year)
Credit: 1.5 hours
David Self, PhD

Weekly course on current research topics in the neurobiology of drug addiction. The course is conducted during the first half of Spring semester, and each session is three hours long. The first hour will be a didactic lecture by Psychiatry and Neuroscience faculty. The second and third hours involve a student presentation and discussion of related original and current research papers. The course covers the pharmacological actions of drugs of abuse, neural substrates of drug reward and craving, molecular mechanisms of drug-induced neuroplasticity, genetics, and their involvement in tolerance, sensitization, dependence, and addictive behavior.   Recommended Courses in Other Programs    

Molecular Biophysics: Spectroscopy

Fall II 
Credit: 1.5 hours  
Mischa Machius, PhD

Covers optical spectroscopy methods used to analyze protein sequences and structures. Topics include sequence similarity searches using profile-based tools, functional prediction, structure prediction and threading, homology modeling, energy-based simulations, protein classification, and evolutionary concepts: homology inference and tree reconstruction.