Biology 490: Neurobiology

Biology 490, Neurobiology, covers the fundamental principles that form the basis of our contemporary knowledge regarding the structure and function of the nervous system. Neurobiology is an exciting discipline that aims to understand how the nervous system develops and functions normally, as well as the causes of neurological disorders.

Neurobiologists are interested in the biological basis of human thought, behavior, and emotion. The field is comprised of investigators using different approaches such as molecular biology, computer science, bioinformatics, engineering, anatomy, and psychology in attempts to understand how the brain works. Neurobiology is a central area of modern biomedical research in part because one of five persons will experience a disorder of the nervous system at some point in their life. The course is designed to give the student a solid foundation in this complex and fascinating field.

In the Spring of 2004, we will cover a broad spectrum of topics including neurogenetics, molecular and developmental neurobiology, ion channels and neurotransmitters, sensory systems and perception, human neuroanatomy, neural basis of memory and learning. We will review the present status of research on diseases and disorders of the nervous system such as Alzheimers, schizophrenia, hearing loss, brain cancer, attention deficit disorder, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, and depression. Recent advances in the Human Genome Project have raised important and controversial questions regarding the role of genes and the environment in behavior and disease that also will be explored in the course.

This course is particularly relevant for students seeking careers in biomedical fields such as medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, and cancer research. It also will be of interest to students interested in the biological basis of consciousness and with curiosity about how the mind works.

LECTURE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

Lectures will highlight key concepts from the textbook and readings on reserve in the Zuhl Library. Students are responsible for mastering the concepts in the readings whether or not they are discussed in class by the instructor. The instructor is available to discuss material from lectures and readings during scheduled office hours and by appointment. .

RECITATION SECTION

The recitation session will provide a forum for in depth discussion of lecture topics and concepts. A variety of activities are scheduled including problem set review, films, videos, and mini-labs. Students are required to attend 3 of these sessions, only one of which can be a film or video. Click here for the link to the recitation schedule.

PREREQUISITES

Required: Either Biochemistry (395 or 341) or concurrent enrollment in either
Recommended: Math 191, Organic Chemistry (Chem 211 or 313), Genetics (Bio 305), Physics (211 or 215).

* Molecular Biology and Cell Organismal graduate students receive Tier II credit for the course.

TEXTBOOKS

The Bear et al. text, Neuroscience, is the required text for the class. Textbooks can be obtained at the bookstore or online from vendors such as Amazon and ecampus. Students seeking graduate medical and research careers in Neuroscience are encouraged to purchase Principles of Neural Science as well.

Required Text	Recommended Text	Recommended Text	Recommended Text

Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain (2000) Bear, Connors, and Paradiso Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins ISBN : 0-683-30596-4	Principles of Neural Science (2000) Kandel, Schwartz, Jessel McGraw-Hill/Appleton & Lange ISBN : 0838577016	Advice for a Young Investigator (1897) Santiago Ramon y Cajall MIT Press ISBN: 0262181916	The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (1998) Oliver Sacks Touchstone Books ISBN: 0684853949

GRADING SYSTEM

Earning Grade Points:

Grades will be calculated by adding the total points earned on the term exams, the cumulative Final Exam, the term paper, and other assignments. A total of 1000 pts may be earned during the course. YOU MUST TAKE THE FINAL EXAM. Any questions and concerns about grading or errors in grading should be discussed with the instructor within 2 weeks of the return date of the graded assignment.

Exams: (550 pts) There will be two in class term exams and one final exam. The final exam (250 points) includes both a cumulative portion worth 150 points and new material covered after Exam 2 worth 100 points.

Research journal: (200 pts) You will maintain a research journal based on your completion of a series of assignments that will require you to use the library and the web. You will select the focus of your journal based on your interests in neuroscience and disease. Click here to link to journal page.   The journal will be handed in twice.

Assignments (250 points) You will be required to complete several supplementary assignments. Some of these will involve using the library and internet while others will be problem sets. Others require that you attend seminars or recitaiton sections and hear how scientists and fellow students talk about neuroscience and reseaarch.

Introduction to Neuroscience   60 pts
Problem set: Biophysics, Circuits, Electrophysiology 70 pts
NeuroEthics 40 pts
Neuroscience in action: Seminars/recitation sections 80 pts

Grade Scale: The grade scale may be curved at the end of the semester at the discretion of the instructor.

A     900-1000 pts
B     800-899 pts
C     700-799 pts
D     600-699 pts
F     < 600 pts
S     (Satisfactory) requires a C-
S/U Option: Students must meet all requirements of the course. A grade of C- is required to receive an S in the course.

Attendance Students are responsible for all material covered in class as well as any previously unannounced assignments that are given out in class. Therefore students are expected to attend all classes. Contact the instructor BEFOREHAND if you will be unable to attend class.
If you miss an exam...:

If you will need to miss a scheduled exam, you must discuss your absence at least 48 hours before the exam with the instructor. You will need to provide written documentation (medical excuse, letter from an instructor).

If an emergency prevents you from contacting the instructor before the exam, you must contact the instructor within 48 hours after the exam with appropriate documentation.

If you have a legitimate, written excuse and miss one term exam, the grade for the missed term exam will be determined by averaging the grades from your other exams (midterms and final). If you miss two exams, you will receive an Incomplete for the course.

Written excuses must include an explanation for the absence signed by you and accompanied by additional documents as appropriate (parents, doctor etc.). Acceptable excuses include documented illness, death in the family, and university business.

Leaving early for Spring or Summer vacation does not count as an excused absence. Please make travel plans, including purchase of non-refundable airline tickets with this in mind.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Late assignments. 10% of the total points will be deducted for each week the assignment is late. Assignments will not be accepted if handed in more than 10 days after the due date.

Syllabus Modification: The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester as considered necessary to enhance the quality of the instruction, to meet the needs of students in the class and to achieve course objectives. Any changes to the syllabus (or to the course schedule) will be announced in class and you are responsible for being aware of them.

Extra Credit: At the discretion of the instructor, it is possible that extra credit assignments may be assigned during the semester. These will be announced in class.

Students with Disabilities:

If you have, or believe you have, a disability and would benefit from any accommodation(s), you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located at Garcia Annex [phone 646-6840; TTY 646-1918] to register.
If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes.
It will be your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative (in a timely manner) if the services or accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.
If you have a condition that may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or that may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor or with the SSD Coordinator.
Feel free to call Ms. Elva Telles, EEO/ADA & Employee Relations Director, at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.

Code of conduct:: Please see the “Student code of conduct” in the current “Student Handbook ”. Pay particular attention to the sections on Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism. The penalty for plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct (as defined in the Student Code of Conduct) is failure of the course: no exceptions.

OTHER:

GUIDELINES FOR CLASS DISCUSSION: During the semester, different opinions may be voiced in the class. You may strongly disagree with some of these, or you may find them amusing. Outbursts can be misinterpreted and are counterproductive to meaningful and thoughtful debate. Therefore, it is important that you exercise self-discipline and self-control, and treat all members of the class with the courtesy you are entitled to receive in turn. The key words are respect and courtesy. Thank you!
XEROX and/or BACKUP all assignments before submitting them to the instructor.

SAVE xeroxes of all graded assignments and exams from this course at least until you have received your final grade.

Withdrawals: It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. The deadline is March 6, 2002.
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DEPARTMENT OFFICE: The Biology Department office is in FOSTER HALL 234, 646-3611. The department secretaries are Ms. Gloria Valencia and Ms. Jennifer Miera.

DEPARTMENT CHAIR: The Biology Department chair is Dr. Dan Howard. His office is in FOSTER HALL 234 (X63611).

WEBSITES FOR STUDENTS

Neuroscience

Society for Neuroscience

PBS series "SECRET LIFE OF THE BRAIN "

International Consortium for Brain Mapping

Comparative brain collection online!

Neurosciences on the Internet

Diseases and disorders of the nervous system

Neurosciences for kids!

Milestones in history of neuroscience

Mind, brain, artificial intelligence, psychology links

Scholarships and Financial Aid

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Internships and Jobs

NIH Internship web site http://www.training.nih.gov/

A searchable (by alphabetical order) database of almost 200 summer internships: http://www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/hurf/otherresearch.htm (Developed and maintained by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/UIUC Howard Hughes Program for Undergraduate Science Education Nikki Lowery <n-lowery@life.uiuc.edu>, Webmaster and Internships Coordinator)

Summer internships in math and science, primarily National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health: http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~cortinas/summer_programs.shtml

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Website: http://www.urop.uci.edu then go to: Opportunities/Off-campus

Best Bets for Internships Abroad: http://www.cie.uci.edu/iop/internsh.html. There are literally 100s of opportunities for internships abroad. This page contains links to related web sites, and listings of some of the more well-known programs. The most helpful resources are noted with gold stars.

JobWEB's Job Searching Engine: http://www.jobweb.com/default.asp JobWEB provides a nationwide search engine that allows you to limit the search to internships exclusively.

Internship Programs.com http://www.internshipprograms.com/home.asp "The largest internship community on the Internet!"