The course content reflects the highly diverse and interdisciplinary nature of Neuroscience with a series of seminars that cover cellular and molecular neuroscience across different systems and regions within the central nervous system. The course includes workshops covering techniques of neurophysiology, molecular biology, and imaging.

The student will gain necessary intellectual tools to understand and appreciate the complexities of the nervous system at the molecular and cellular level.

This course is designed as an introductory course at the Master's level, with the expectation that the student has a Bachelor's degree in biological or physical science. Previous knowledge of neuroscience is not a prerequisite, but the course level is high with a fast progression, and students are expected to be prepared by reading chapters in the textbook before the lectures. Topics include: neurons as excitable cells, ion channels, synaptic transmission and plasticity, neurotransmitter systems, the molecular and cellular basis for sensory and motor systems, a review of neuroanatomy and neurohistology, and advanced imaging techniques.

Upon completion of the course, the student can:

Knowledge

• Display in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system at a cellular and systems level
• Identify and describe the molecular and cellular properties of neurons that give rise to their ability to communicate via electrical and chemical signals
• Understand the most important neurotransmitter systems and receptors in the nervous system
• Critically evaluate commonly used methods in neuroscience and understand the theory behind these techniques

Skills

Develop hypotheses and critically analyze methods and results in Neuroscience

Competencies:

• Interpret and discuss findings related to scientific experiments and literature in the field of neuroscience
• Discuss the integration of molecular, cellular and biophysical processes that contribute to the function of neurons and neural systems responsible for behavior
• Apply theories of molecular and cellular neuroscience to experimental investigations

Students accepted to the Master's program in Biomedicine at the University of Bergen have full access to the course. Other Masters students at the University of Bergen or exchange students who fulfil the pre-requirements have access to the course after obtaining permission from the course supervisor.

The minimum amount of students on the course is 4 and the maximum amount of students is 15. If more than 15 students sign up for the course, the biomedicine students will have priority.

Approximately 30 hours of seminars over an approximate 8-10 week period

Three techniques workshops (4 hours each)

Department of Biomedicine
studie.biomed@uib.no

Course coordinator:
Meg Veruki, https://www.uib.no/en/persons/Meg.Veruki