Summary

The brain analyzes a high density of sensory information and produces well-adapted motor output, called behavior. In this course, students will start learning about the cellular and circuit bases of sensory and motor functions of the brain, a fascinating organ which is not yet understood completely.

French Summary

Le cerveau analyse une haute densité d'informations sensorielles qu'il traduit en activité motrice et comportementale. Dans ce cours, les étudiants commencent à découvrir les bases cellulaires et les circuits des fonctions sensorielles et motrices du cerveau.

 

What is the goal?

The course starts with high-level overview of neuroscience, and takes you through fundamentals of electrical and chemical signaling in neurons to decision-making. Students learn how neurons in the brain receive and process sensory information, and how other neurons control the behavior of an animal. Furthermore, learning, memory, and brain disorders will be introduced.

The course is organized around UNITS. These units are designed for you to learn about neuroscience from a "bottom-up" perspective - how the core units of the brain--the neuron--work and are utilized across systems and behaviors.

The UNITS: 
Intro: Introduction to Neuroscience: from cells to organisms - how do we study the brain?
Unit 1: Behavior as a lens into brain function
Unit 2: Neural signaling: action potentials, electrical excitability, and synaptic transmission
Unit 3: Neural signaling: electrical excitability
Unit 4: Intro to sensorimotor systems: + spinal cord and cerebellum
Unit 5: Movement control: cortex & Basal Ganglia
Unit 6: Somatosensory system
OCT 30th - MID TERM EXAM - (covering units 1-6)
Unit 6: Vision part 1 - the retina
Unit 7: Vision part 2 - system & circuits
Unit 8 : Decision making and behavior
Unit 9: Audition & Olfaction
Unit 10: The nociceptive system and mid-term review
Unit 11: Learning and memory

Unit 12: Disorders of the nervous system
DEC 21st - FINAL EXAM - (covering units 7-12)

What do I need? 

A desire to learn about the fundamental principles of neuroscience! 
Plus, you will need a digital or hardcopy of Dale Purves, George Augustine et al.: Neuroscience 6th ed. 2019.