Course Description

The course aims to provide a synthetic overview of the major principles and techniques associated with cellular and molecular neurobiology. The subject matter includes the detailed mechanics underlying neuronal signaling and cellular function to how these properties are invoked across development and during neuronal plasticity. A major emphasis in the course is on the application of techniques that are driving major research advances in this field, including optogenetic manipulation end gene editing approaches to manipulate neural circuits and identify function. 

A major aim is to provide students with a specialized understanding of the tools being used to expand our current knowledge and thus includes strong links to current research, supported by extracts from published original research. The course commences with an introduction to key methodologies for studying molecular and cellular neurobiology, aligned with introductory practical material. Additional theory is presented as a combination of foundation material in each module with specialist research lectures given by experts drawn from within and outside the core-teaching units.

Projects

In addition to lectures, the teaching consists of group studies and project work. For the practical component, you will work in small groups (<4 students) with projects that will run in parallel with the theoretical part of the course. These projects will be close to ongoing research projects conducted within the department, and will utilize the same latest cutting-edge methods and approaches as the ones used in the daily research. Each phase of the project work, from design to analysis, will be accompanied by supportive tutorials and workshops.

For who?

The course suits those who wish to continue with an academic research career, as well as for those who want to work in industry with neurobiology related topics. Within universities and biomedical companies, neurobiology is a very active research area, and will continue to be so for a long time. For those who do not intend to continue with the subject, the course will provide a solid foundation for further studies in e.g. ecology and behavioral science. The course can be preferentially be taken in conjunction with the advanced course in neurobiology (BIOR58), the combination of which will provide an excellent insight into the structure and function of the nervous system, from cell to organism level.