Time Schedule:
Thomas A. Reh
UCONJ 524
Seattle Campus
Survey of contemporary issues in developmental neurobiology, including neurogenesis and differentiation; electrophysiological, morphological, and neurochemical regulation of cellular phenotype; neuronal pathways and synaptic contacts; cellular and synaptic plasticity; and behavior. Examination of molecular biological, morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches. Prerequisite: background in neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, molecular neurobiology. Offered: Sp.
Class description
The course will give students a basic overview of the development of the nervous system. We will focus on the basic principles by which neurons and glia are generated during brain development, how the cells migrate to their appropriate positions, and how they assemble into complex synaptic networks.
Student learning goals
Students should understand the mechanism of neural induction.
Students will have a good understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which neurons and glia are produced in the brain and spinal cord.
Students will understand the factors that regulate migration of neurons in the developing brain.
Students will learn how synapses are formed between neurons during development.
Neuronal connections are organized into topographic maps in the brain; students will learn how these maps arise and are modified by changes in neural activity.
General method of instruction
Lecture/discussion
Recommended preparation
A basic understanding of signal transduction and transcription factors at an undergraduate level is assumed.
Class assignments and grading
Students will present two original research papers each week for discussion.
