Bi/CNS/NB 162 is usually taken for a letter grade but can be taken as pass/fail if requested before the start of term. The class is heavily lab-based so attendance is mandatory. Lateness without prior approval from the instructor is unacceptable and will affect your grade. Grades will be assessed as follows:
60% - Assignments. There will be six homework assignments based on work completed in lab, with each assignment worth approximately 10% toward your final grade.
20% - Presentation to class. Throughout the term, you will work individually or in small groups on a neuroscience problem of your choice, outlining the background to a question you would like to ask and how you might theoretically use the techniques discussed in class to address that question. In the final class, each group will present their ideas to the rest of the class.
10% - Lab notebook. You will be asked to take brief notes in lab on the procedures and your observations. Please make sure that your writing is legible.
10% - Lab performance. Lab performance is based on attendance, willingness to contribute to class discussions, and how carefully you work.
These should be emailed in PDF format to the instructor no later than 1 pm the following Monday. Please include your name and the date that the homework was assigned in the filename. 20% credit will be deducted for each day or partial day that an assignment is late without a formal excuse.
In the practical lab sessions, you will be working in small groups. We have six electrophysiology rigs and accept up to 18 students in total in the class, for a maximum of three students per rig.
You may discuss experiments and assignments with your classmates and work together. However, all submitted materials must be your own.
It is not possible to study the nervous system without handling actual neural tissue. Several classes may involve the use of live animals, including invertebrates, crustaceans, and anesthetized rodents. We have made every attempt to reduce the number of animals used in this class. In some labs, we use simulated neurons and online resources instead of animals. When rodents are used, we make every effort to use animals already marked for euthanasia. All animal procedures are in accordance with NIH guidelines and have been approved by the Caltech Animal Care and Use Committee. A Caltech veterinarian will give a presentation on the use of animals in research and teaching. If you are uncomfortable with the use of animals, please contact the instructor immediately after the first session.
If Ditch Day falls on a scheduled lab day, class will be cancelled for that day and we will attempt to find a suitable time to reschedule the session. Assignments that are due on Ditch Day will instead be due 48 hours later.
Lindsay Bremner: Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment.