PBIO-601 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Faculty:

Sherman, Thomas

Vicini, Stefano

Wu, Jian-Young

This semester course is designed to introduce basic concepts in neuroscience and the experimental strategies that are used to investigate the structure and function of the nervous system. The course is comprised of four modules, which the student must take in sequence.
Module #1 Anatomical and Cellular Neuroscience. Topics covered include: General organization of the adult nervous system, embryonic development and cellular components of nervous tissue, and subcellular components of neurons and glia.
Module #2 Cellular Neurophysiology. Topics covered include: Electronic properties of axons and dendrites, membrane potential and action potentials, basic description of neurotransmitters and their release, neurotransmitter receptors, postsynaptic potentials and information processing in dendrites.
Module #3 Neuropharmacology and Signal Transduction. Topics covered include: Neurotransmitter biosynthesis, receptor subtypes and their functions, intracellular signaling, and neurotrophic factors.
Module #4 Nervous System Development, Cell Death and Regeneration. Topics covered include: neural induction, neurogenesis, pattern formation and neuronal differentiation, growth cones and axon pathfinding, synapse formation and elimination, programmed cell death, and axonal regeneration.

Credits: 6

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.