Neuroscience 351 - Neurophysiology with CURE lab

(Offered as BIOL 351 and NEUR 351): This course will provide a deeper understanding of the physiological properties of the nervous system. We will address the mechanisms underlying the structure and function of neurons, the primary cells of the nervous system in animals. These cells transfer information through both chemical and electrical mechanisms, and we focus on these processes at the synapse, the connection point between two neurons. We then examine how signals move across multiple cells using the hippocampus and inner ear as models. Key learning areas include understanding the quantitative nature of neurophysiology; the transduction and integration of sensory information; the structure and function of circuits; the trophic and plastic properties of neurons; and the relationship between neuronal activity and behavior. Throughout the course, we focus on past and current neurophysiology primary research and how it contributes to the field of neuroscience. Three classroom lecture hours. Three hours of laboratory work per week, which is designed around a research laboratory experience that focuses on hypothesis and experimental design, expertise with neurophysiology equipment, the zebrafish model organism, and analysis and presentation of collected data in the form of scientific figures and research papers

Requisites: BIOL 191; PHYS 117 or instructor consent recommended. Limited to one lab section with 18 students. Fall semester. Professors Trapani and Olukoya.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority will first be given to biology and neuroscience seniors who require the course to graduate and then to junior biology and neuroscience majors followed by senior and junior BCBP majors and then by class year or instructor consent.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Learning in BIOL-351 is facilitated by three lectures per week, in addition to group work that is emphasized in both the classroom and laboratory sections. Skills being emphasized include analytical thinking, scientific communication, synthesis, reflection and creativity. Assessments include individual exams, individual and group quizzes, paper summaries, lab reports/worksheets, and participation in group and laboratory learning activities.