BCS 249: Lecture Schedule

READING LIST FOR EXAM 1 | EXAM 2 | EXAM 3
Jan. 18: Course overview and a discussion of gene regulation as it applies to neural development (Nordeen) | pdf
Jan. 23: Neural induction and regionalization I (Nordeen) | pdf
Jan. 25: Neural induction and regionalization II (Nordeen) | pdf
Jan. 30: Cell production, migration and differentiation in the nervous system I (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 1: Cell production, migration and differentiation in the nervous system II (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 6: Cell production, migration and differentiation in the nervous system III (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 8: Neurite outgrowth and pathfinding I (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 13: Neurite outgrowth II (Nordeen) | pdf
end of material for Exam I
Feb. 15: EXAM I | Sample Exam
Feb. 20: Regulation of neurogenesis in primate brain (Dr. David Kornack) | pdf
Feb. 22: Molecular cues underlying the specificity of connections I (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 27: Specificity of connections II (Nordeen) | pdf
Feb. 29: Programmed cell death in the nervous system (Nordeen) | pdf
Mar. 5: Mechanisms of cell death and trophic factor action (Dr. Robert Freeman) | pdf
Mar. 7: Synapse formation (Nordeen) | pdf
Mar. 12: BREAK
Mar. 14: BREAK
Mar. 19: Early experience and synaptic rearrangement I (Nordeen) | pdf
Mar. 21: Early experience and synaptic rearrangement II (Nordeen) | pdf
Mar. 26: Guest lecture (Majewska) | pdf
end of material for Exam II
Mar. 28: EXAM II | Sample Exam
Apr. 2: Cellular mechanisms for learning and memory I (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 4: Cellular mechanisms for learning and memory II (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 9: Hormonal influences on neural and behavioral development (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 11: Genetic control of sexual differentiation in C. elegans (Portman) | pdf
Apr. 16: Models of early learning: sound localization in owls (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 18: NO CLASS
Apr. 23: Models of early learning: vocal learning in songbirds (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 25: Reorganization of sensory and motor maps in adulthood: cellular parallels with developmental plasticity (Nordeen) | pdf
Apr. 30: Review session
May 2: EXAM III

Only students who are enrolled in the course may access the readings online. You must be logged into Blackboard to download the course readings.

Reading list for Exam I

Jan. 18: Course overview and a discussion of the nature/nurture issue as it applies to neural development: "The Origins of Developmental Biology, A Conceptual Tool Kit (1998); In: Developmental Biology, by Lewis Wolpert; pp. 1-22; Oxford University Press.; "Control of specific gene expression" In: Developmental Biology, (1998) by Lewis Wolpert; pp. 281-286; Oxford University Press.
Jan. 23,25: Neural induction and regionalization: Textbook Chapter 1, pp 1-17; Textbook Chapter 2
Jan. 30, Feb. 1,6: Cell production, migration and differentiation in the nervous system: Textbook Chapter 1, pp 17-21; Textbook Chapter 3, pp 49-67; Textbook Chapter 4, pp 77-92
Feb. 8,13: Neurite outgrowth and pathfinding (Nordeen): Textbook Chapter 5

Reading list for Exam II

Feb. 20: Regulation of neurogenesis: Textbook Chapter 3, pp 67-73; Gage, F. (2003). Brain, repair yourself. Scientific American, Sept: 47-53.
Feb. 22, 27: Specificity of connections: Textbook Chapter 6
Feb. 29, Mar. 5: Programmed cell death and trophic factors: Textbook Chapter 7
Mar. 7: Synapse formation: Textbook Chapter 8, mostly pp 225-238
Mar. 19, 21, 26: Early Experience and Synaptic Rearrangement: Textbook Chapter 9

Reading list for Exam III

Apr. 2, 4: Cellular mechanisms of learning and memory I and II: "Cellular Mechanisms of Learning and the Biological Basis of Individuality", Ch. 63 in: Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed. (E. R. Kandel, J. H.Schwartz and T. L. Jessell, Eds.), New York/Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2003.
Apr. 9, 11: Hormonal influences on neural and behavioral development: Textbook Chapter 7, pp 186-188
Textbook Chapter 10 , pp 308-313; Kelley, D.D. (1991). Sexual differentiation of the nervous system, Ch. 57 in: Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed. (E. R. Kandel, J. H.Schwartz and T. L. Jessell, Eds.), New York/Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2000.
Apr. 16, 23: Models of Early Learning: Textbook Chapter 10, pp. 321-322; pp. 315-317
Textbook Chapter 9, pp. 263-266; "Early Experience and Critical Periods", Ch. 21; (pp. 555-562 In: Fundamental Neuroscience, Academic Press, 2003.; Knudsen, E. (2002) Instructed learning in the auditory localization pathway of the barn owl. Nature Vol. 217: 322-328.
Apr. 25: Reorganization of sensory and motor maps in adulthood: Textbook Chapter 6, pp. 164-166; "The Reorganization of Sensory and Motor Maps after Injury in Adult Mammals" Ch. 15 (pp.223-236) In: The New Cognitive Neurosciences, 3rd Edition, ed. Michael Gazzaniga. MIT Press, 2000; "Cerebral Cortical Plasticity: Perception and Skill Acquisition"' Ch. 16, (pp. 237-247) In: The New Cognitive Neurosciences, 3rd Edition, ed. Michael Gazzaniga. MIT Press, 2000

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