Brad Mahon (Course Coordinator)
Phone: 276-5234
E-mail:
Office Hours: Please email to set up a time
Faculty contributing to the course
Sarah Heilbronner:
Krystel Huxlin:
Brad Mahon:
Ania Majewska:
Ernie Nordeen:
Kathy Nordeen:
Xaq Pitkow:
Duje Tadin:
Summary
In this course we focus on some of the biological mechanisms relevant to understanding neural development, plasticity, and learning. After reviewing basic aspects of cellular neurobiology and neurophysiology, there will be a brief introduction to genetic/molecular mechanisms that shape nervous system organization. The remainder of the course will highlight well-studied examples of behavioral plasticity and their underlying biological mechanisms. A biologically based view of neural plasticity will be taught alongside complementary perspectives that emerge from work in molecular, cellular, behavioral, computational and psychophysical fields of neuroscience research.
There is no assigned textbook, although faculty may assign relevant readings that should be completed prior to class. Grading in this course will be based on participation as well as a written critique/review of a relevant journal article chosen by the student. This article, however, has to be approved by the instructor. Additionally, participants will conduct a 20 min presentation of an original article of their choice in the field of developmental plasticity/learning, broadly defined. Once again, articles chosen for presentation require prior approval by the instructor.