Neuroscience Course Descriptions

The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to basic and fundamental concepts in the field of Neuroscience and prepare first year students for the advanced neuroscience courses.  This course will provide an introduction and overview of several core neuroscience areas, including membrane physiology, ion channels, cellular neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, sensory and motor systems, brain regulation of behavior and body physiology, and neural development.

Structure and Function of the Ion Channel
(NS 5164-01)
Fall I

This course covers basic concepts and current literature on structure, function and regulation of ion channels.  Emphasis is on critical evaluation of latest research topics with a strong basic understanding of essential concepts. Topics include electrophysiological analysis of ion channel function, structure and function of various types of ion channels, crystallographic analysis of ion channels, regulation of ion channels by second messenger cascades, genetic analysis of ion channels in model organisms, as well as ion channellopathies. 

This is an 8 week course which reviews the principles and fundamentals of neuropharmacology. The course focuses on the major neurotransmitter-receptor systems in the brain and the mechanisms by which psychotropic drugs (including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, drugs of abuse, and others) affect the nervous system.

This course covers basic concepts and current literature on structure, function and regulation of chemical synapses in the central and peripheral nervous systems.  Emphasis is on critical evaluation of latest research topics with a strong basic understanding of essential concepts. Topics include calcium-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter release, molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, short and long-term synaptic plasticities, genetic manipulation of synaptic circuitry as well as synaptogenesis.

Helmut Krämer, Ph.D. 
Credit: 1.5 hours   

Many diseases of the mammalian nervous system are the result of mutations in single or multiple genes. In this course, we will explore the major inherited neurological disorders involving sensory, motor, and higher integrative systems. Our primary focus will be diseases of humans, but we will also consider insights gained in mouse, fly and worm model systems. This course will have a molecular orientation, with the goal of correlating the neurological phenotypes with the functions of the affected proteins. (1.5 semester hours). Experts on the various topics will present lectures, followed by student presentations of relevant literature.

Neurobiology of Mental Illness
(NS 5096-01)
Spring II

The goal of this course is to provide an understanding of the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders to second and third year neuroscience graduate students.  This course will highlight recent developments within depression, schizophrenia and other related psychiatric illnesses as well as emphasizing the importance of translational research to achieve a better understanding of these diseases.

Covers optical spectroscopy methods used to analyze protein sequences and structures.  Topics include sequence similarity searches using profile-based tools, functional prediction, structure prediction and threading, homology modeling, energy-based simulations, protein classification, and evolutionary concepts: homology inference and tree reconstruction.