Neurosciences

COURSE OBJECTIVE
Upon successful completion of this course the student will...

- know how the brain is built up and how different brain-regions work together, and how complex nervous systems have evolved.
- be able to explain how electric signals are generated in nerve cells and how these travel along the axon.
- be able to explain how synaptic transmission works and how different drugs or poisons affect neurotransmission.
- know how the processing of the somatosensory system works and how the nervous system interacts with the endocrine system.
- be able to explain the importance of neuron-glia interactions for brain function.
- know the brain regions involved in speech and language, and you can also determine how speech/language deficits arise in patients.
- be able to explain how the senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch) transmit information from your surroundings to your brain.

COURSE CONTENT
The course Neurosciences is divided in three main themes: neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and the brain as part of the organism. You will learn about these themes of the brain through lectures, practicals and a homework assignment.

1: Neuroanatomy
Here you will learn about various different parts of the central and peripheral nervous system. This part consists of lectures, a homework
assignment where you work with a digital atlas of the human brain and a practical in which you will work with human brain specimens. Finally, you can test your knowledge in a "power-repeat" quiz-based lecture.

2: Neurophysiology
In this part we will study brain function on the cellular level, how neurons transmit information. You will learn how fundamental ions like
sodium and potassium carry much of our highly complex thoughts and emotions and you will learn how signals between cells can be transmitted and modulated. Furthermore, you will record real action potentials from the axon of a worm and here you can also test your
knowledge in a quiz-based "power-repeat".

3. Brain as part of the organism
The third part zooms out and couples brain function to everyday functions such as speaking, seeing, feeling pain or stress and your
day-night cycle, the circadian rhythm. You will learn in different lectures how the cellular principles of brain function underlie complex behaviour that you experience everywhere around you.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures
Practicals
Homework assignments

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Exam: multiple choice test (100% of final grade)