There are four hours of classroom instruction (lecture, tutorials, group discussions) and two hours of laboratory instruction per week.
1. Evolution of the Nervous Systems
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Hypotheses on the evolutionary origin of neurons
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Trends in the evolution of the invertebrate nervous system
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Evolution of the vertebrate brain
- Convergent evolution of intelligence
2. Neuroanatomy
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General organization of the human nervous system
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Functional anatomy of the brain and the spinal cord
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Cellular neuroanatomy: neurons and neuroglia
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Ventricles and meninges
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Main tracts, nuclei, nerves and ganglia
- Embryonic development of the nervous system
3. Brain Circulation and Metabolism
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Blood supply to the central nervous system
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Vascular territories of the cerebral arteries
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Cerebral energy metabolism
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Myelin formation and structure
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
4. Neural Signalling
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Ion channels and neuronal membrane potential
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Local signalling: passive electrical properties of the neurons
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Propagated signalling: the action potential
- Synaptic transmission and synaptic integration
5. Sensory Pathways I
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Coding of sensory information
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The somatosensory system
- The perception of touch, pain and temperature
6. Sensory Pathways II
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Vision: retinal processing and visual pathways
- Hearing: sensory transduction and auditory pathways
7. Motor Control I
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Organization of the motor systems
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Lower motor neuron circuits
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Upper motor neuron circuits
- Posture and locomotion
8. Motor Control II
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Cerebellum
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Basal ganglia
- The control of gaze
9. Brain & Homeostasis
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Spinal cord, brain stem and reflexive behaviour
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Arousal and sleep
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Hypothalamus
- Autonomic nervous system
10. Brain & Behaviour
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Functional organization of the cerebral cortex
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Cellular mechanisms of learning and memory
- The limbic system and emotions
11. Laboratory topics
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Brain anatomy
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Neuronal histology
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Invertebrate behaviour
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Invertebrate neuropharmacology
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Neurophysiology through computer models
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Neurophysiology through experiments with human subjects (with Ethics Approval)
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Outline the main trends and milestones in the evolutionary history of the nervous system in invertebrates and vertebrates.
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Describe the structure and components of the human nervous system.
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Identify the unique biochemical, metabolic and physiological characteristics of the brain.
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Discuss the cellular and molecular processes involved in the generation, propagation and transmission of nerve impulses.
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Describe the neural pathways involved in the acquisition, conduction and processing of sensory information.
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Describe the neural pathways involved in the generation and control of movement.
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Discuss the mechanisms by which the autonomic nervous system contributes to homeostasis.
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Explain the neural basis of complex brain functions such as learning, memory and emotions.
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Discuss the application of various research methods to decipher the structure and function of the nervous system.
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Evaluation | Marks |
| Quizzes | 15-20 |
| Assignments & lab reports | 5-10 |
| Midterm examination | 20-25 |
| Term paper | 10-15 |
| Final examination | 30-35 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Students should consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.
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