Time Schedule:
Alaron Lewis
BIOL 485
Seattle Campus
Supervised readings and group discussion. Prerequisite: BIOL 355.
Class description
This seminar course will focus on the diseases of the brain, their symptoms and their underlying biology. The first third of the course will cover the cell biology of the brain and nervous system. Next, we will discuss examples of developmental and degenerative brain disease and their symptoms. Lastly, we will introduce various treatment and ongoing clinical trials. Students will have the opportunity to explore primary literature and participate in group discussions. Attendance at the first class is mandatory.
Student learning goals
Students will learn about some of the causes, symptoms and treatments for neurological disorders
Students will learn how to find and review information about these diseases
Students will learn how to read and evaluate papers in the primary literature
Students will learn how to conduct a basic neurological exam
General method of instruction
Classes will be held for 2 hrs once a week and will consist of a 45 min lecture followed by reviews of the primary literature, class presentations on various diseases, and interactive activities designed to clarify and enhance the material being covered.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Article Summaries– Students will be given articles to read and will be required to write a summary. Summaries should be NO MORE then one double-spaced page in length and should include a basic description of the experiments performed and the conclusions of the paper (example summaries will be provided). Students will be required to hand in three (3) summaries as part of their course grade. Presentations – during class, groups of 3-4 students will give a 15 min. oral presentation on a neurological disease – its causes, symptoms and treatments.
30% Participation – Demonstrated by verbal responses to questions, the presentation of figures from the research articles, and participation in other classroom activities. Attendance is mandatory for all classes and counts as part of the participation grade.
20% Article Summaries– Students will be given articles to read and will be required to write a summary. Summaries should be NO MORE then one double-spaced page in length and should include a basic description of the experiments performed and the conclusions of the paper (example summaries will be provided). Students will be required to hand in three (3) summaries as part of their course grade.
30% Presentations – during class, groups of 3-4 students will give a 15 min. oral presentation on a neurological disease – its causes, symptoms and treatments.
20% Quiz- There will be three quizzes throughout the quarter to assess the students understanding of the course material. A quiz will have 1-2 multiple choices, 1-2 fill in the blanks, and short answers.
