BIOL345 - Developmental Neurobiology

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Academic Year 2005/2006

Developmental Neurobiology
BIOL 345 SP

Crosslistings:
NS&B 345

This course is about how genes, cellular interactions, and the environment shape the brain as it develops and also shape behavior. The following topics will be discussed: Neural Induction, patterning the brain, neural stem cells, neurogenesis, neuronal migration, determination of cell fates, how axons are guided to their targets, synapse formation, the role of electrical activity and environmental stimulation in sculpting neural circuits and shaping behaviors, neural plasticity, neurological disorders, sexual differentiation of the brain, and behavioral development. The instructor introduces each topic in lectures and summarizes the field. Students then present journal articles to the class. Students meet one-on-one and practice their oral presentations with the Instructor before leading class presentation. The use of multimedia is encouraged for student-led discussions, including, but not limited to, powerpoint, physical models of biological processes, computer generated animations, and the internet. Students also write a term paper on their presentation topics. In addition, we have an interactive poster session featuring cartoon-strip style presentations of dynamic aspects of neural development. Peer review of presentations, posters, and discussions is an important component of the course.

MAJOR READINGS

Course Textbook: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (2000) Sanes, DH, Reh TA, and Harris WA. Academic Press
Research papers from the primary literature

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two exams, term paper, poster session, oral presentation, and bi-weekly problem sets.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

If student has not had a course in neurobiology or developmental biology, he/she should consult with instructor before enrolling. Ideally, this class should be taken after one year of Introductory Biology and BIOL/NS&B 213.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: [NS&B213 or BIOL213] OR ([MB&B205 or BIOL205] AND [BIOL206 or MB&B206]) OR ([MB&B225 or BIOL225] AND [BIOL206 or MB&B206]) OR ([MB&B181 or BIOL181] AND [BIOL182 or MB&B182]) OR ([MB&B195 or BIOL195] AND [BIOL182 or MB&B182])

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Naegele,Janice R

Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; Location: SHAN314;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 50)

SR. major: 20 Jr. major: 15

SR. non-major: 0 Jr. non-major: 0 SO: 10 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Speaking, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006