Biol 460

Course Objectives:

• the cellular phenomena and molecular mechanisms that control neurobiological processes.

• what it is to critically read and evaluate scientific resources.

• how to summarize and communicate scientific information both in writing and in figures.

Topics Include:

• key methods used in molecular neuroscience

• the control of chemical synaptic transmission

• the structure and function of ion channels and receptors

• the mechanisms underlying learning and memory

• the cellular and molecular basis for synaptic plasticity and neurodevelopment

Daily Format (Usually):

Outside of Class: Group members work together to generate their section of the Google Presentation we share.

In Class: Using the Google Presentation as our guide, we have an interactive discussion of a single neuroscience paper. Some of these papers will have companion mini-reviews which we will also critically analyze because they are models for the “Journal Club” article that you write yourself. See samples: