Neurobiology Lectures Biology 321 Fall 2018

Instructor: Dr. Douglas Currie

LECTURE TIMES: Tuesday and Thursday 11:45-1pm LECTURE LOCATION: Luther Bonney Room 209

Office: 231 Science Building Portland Campus Phone: 228-8192

Lab: 194 New Wing of the science building, Portland Campus. Phone: 228-8384

Email: douglas.currie@maine.edu Webpage: http://www.usm.maine.edu/bio/douglas-currie

I am a neuroscientist and I have always been fascinated by the nervous system and how something so complex is able to “build itself” and then control everything we do and experience. The goal of this course is not only for you to learn about the nervous system and how it works at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, system) but also to develop an appreciation for what neuroscientist do and how they do it.

Campus map: https://usm.maine.edu/sites/default/files/about/portland-campus-map.pdf

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-2:30pm, or by appointment. At these times I could be in my office or in my lab- talk to me after lecture to check, or set up an appointment via email. I will also be available to respond to email questions which you can send to me at the address above.

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Lecture:

11:45- 1pm Lab setup Lecture:

11:45- 1pm

Intro Bio lab 1:00- 4:00

Office Hours: 1:00-2:30

Neuro Lab 1:15- 5:00

Office Hours: 1:00-2:30

Prerequisites: You must have successfully complete (i.e. grade C- or higher) Bio 107 or Bio 109, Bio 111 or have permission of the instructor.

Text: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. By Bear, Connors and Paradiso. 4th Edition. Additional resources: Powerpoint presentations for each chapter are available on the blackboard site for this course which is available from your My USM, USM portal homepage: https://mycampus.maine.edu/group/usm/home

You may also be required to purchase software for online learning. This software will enable you to manipulate “virtual” neurons and their properties to assist you in learning about how neurons work. If this is necessary I will give instructions about it in class.

Additional reading material – during classes I will provide other material to enhance information on some areas not covered in detail (or at all) by Matthews. This material will also be available on the Blackboard website and will be included in the exams. Because the course will also require written assignments, I also recommend “A Short Guide to Writing about Biology”, 5th Ed., by Jan Pechenik or “A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology”, 3rd Ed., by Karin Knisely.

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Copyright 2018 Dr. Douglas Currie

Alternative information sources. I encourage all students to investigate beyond the material we cover in class. There are a number of excellent websites which provide additional information on the nervous system, brain disorders and diseases and the latest discoveries in neuroscience. This is a particularly exciting time to be studying neuroscience with discoveries being made on a weekly basis. Below are a few websites for you to use. http://www.nature.com/neurosci/neuropod/index.html This site has podcasts on the latest news and discoveries

in neuroscience. http://www.dana.org This website has an archive of webcasts and podcasts on the brain, brain disorders and

research, among much other useful information. http://www.sfn.org This is the website for the Society for Neuroscience, the leading neuroscience organization

in the world. Explore the pages to find many resources. http://www.sciencedaily.com This is a great website with new science discoveries posted on a daily basis.

Many areas of science are covered but it has a very good neuroscience section. Attendance: I expect students to attend all lectures. I will routinely cover material not in the textbook and so you will miss information if you do not attend class. In addition, some of the material is complex and you will benefit from explanations given in class. Reading: I expect students to read the appropriate chapter in the textbook prior to each lecture. We will cover a fair amount of material in this course and you will find it easier if you take the time to both prepare beforehand and review afterwards while the material is still fresh in your mind. I therefore strongly encourage students to keep up with the material and review your notes, the textbook, the additional material I have assigned and the powerpoints for the lectures on a regular basis. I also strongly encourage students to form study groups to review material. Ask questions if you do not understand something- chances are that you are not the only one who would benefit from having it explained. The more you work with the material the easier it will be to understand and recall. We will also be testing out a new online resource to assist you with learning- this will complement our study of learning and memory. Grading: Your final grade will be determined by four exams (three in class exams and one final exam), homework and occasional in-class assignments which I will give. There will be small weekly homework projects. The major piece of the homework will be a multi-page review paper on a neurological issue you will investigated using the scientific literature. An alternative option is a reduced review paper and participation in the 4-H STEM Ambassador Program: Students who complete the program to the satisfaction of the 4-H director, Sarah Sparks will get credit towards the major portion of the review paper. Participation will consist of a training session, 6 one hour in-class sessions with 8-14 year olds and prep time needed for the classes. This is a great opportunity to help young kids get a science education. Here are links to the web site: http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-projects/science-engineering-technology/stem-ambassadors/ https://usm.maine.edu/community-engagement-career-development/4-h-stem-ambassadors To participate, contact Sarah Sparks, sarah.sparks@maine.edu, and let her know which of the training sessions (4-H training sessions: Luther Bonney Hall 524) you will attend- they are listed on the first slide of the powerpoint for the first lecture. Students that participated last year do not have to go through the training again. Each exam will be worth 21.5% of your grade and the in-class and homework and assignments will be worth 14%. Homework can be submitted via email, it will not be accepted more than one week after the deadline for the assignment. For some homework assignments you will have the option to submit a powerpoint presentation or audio presentation in place of a written piece. You must inform me if you are going to miss an exam. Exams can only be made up for a valid reason, e.g. serious illness or family emergency. I alone will decide whether your reason for missing the exam is valid. You may have to document your reason for missing an exam. Missed exams are likely to be more difficult than the original.

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Copyright 2018 Dr. Douglas Currie

The letter grades for the class will be awarded using the following scale: A= Excellent 90-100% B= Above average 80-89% C= Satisfactory 70-79% D= Unsatisfactory 60-69% F= Failing, below 60% Plus and minus grades will also be given. Attendance, participation and effort will also be considered with borderline grades. Academic integrity: Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, is counter to the purpose of the university. It will not be tolerated in this course. Students may also be subject to institutional penalties for such behavior. Students with disabilities: The University has a very good Disabilities Service Center. Students with any form of disability are encouraged to contact that office which offers multiple forms of assistance and can arrange course accommodations (such as note takers for lectures and additional time for exams). Students with disabilities must bring a letter from the Disabilities Service Center at the beginning of the semester so that they can be given appropriate accommodations. OSSD Office. Room 242 Luther Bonney, Voice Phone 780-4706,

email: dsc-usm@maine.edu web site: www.usm.maine.edu/dsc

Course Overview: This course will present an overview of nervous system structure, function and disease. The major focus will be on the vertebrate nervous system but aspects of invertebrate nervous system function will also be used. We will explore mechanisms of function with a major focus on the molecular and cellular aspects of nervous system function within the context of system level regulation and output.

Cell +Molecular Properties

Electrical activity Gene regulation

Neurons

Circuits

Motor systems

Sensory systems

Behaviors

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Copyright 2018 Dr. Douglas Currie

Goals: By the completion of the course students will have an understanding of the cellular and molecular processes underlying the function of multiple elements of the nervous system, and the way in which these properties regulate nervous system function (see flowchart above) and are disrupted in certain diseases.

Neurobiology 321 Lectures Fall 2018

Text: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. By Bear, Connors and Paradiso. 4th Edition, Published by Wolters Kluwer

Sept 4 Introduction, Neurons and Glia Chapter 2 Sept 6 Introduction, Neurons and Glia Chapter 2 Sept 11 Neuronal membrane at rest Chapter 3 Sept 13 Neuronal membrane at rest Chapter 3 Sept 18 The action potential Chapter 4 Sept 20 The action potential Chapter 4 Sept 25 Exam 1 Sept 27 Synaptic transmission Chapter 5 Oct 2 Synaptic transmission Chapter 5 Oct 4 Development of the nervous system: wiring the brain Chapter 23 Oct 9 Fall Vacation- No class Oct 11 Development of the nervous system: wiring the brain Chapter 23 Oct 16 Development of the nervous system: wiring the brain Chapter 23 Oct 18 Molecular mechanisms of learning and memory Chapter 25 Oct 23 Exam 2 Oct 25 Molecular mechanisms of learning and memory Chapter 25 Oct 30 The auditory and vestibular systems Chapter 11 Nov 1 The auditory and vestibular systems Chapter 11 Nov 6 The eye Chapter 9 Nov 8 The eye Chapter 9 Nov 13 The chemical senses Chapter 8 Nov 15 Exam 3 Nov 20 The chemical senses Chapter 8 Nov 22 Thanksgiving vacation-No class Nov 27 Pain, touch, neurotoxicology and disease Chapter 12 Nov 29 Pain, touch, neurotoxicology and disease Chapter 12 Dec 4 Pain, touch, neurotoxicology and disease Chapter 12 Dec 6 Spinal control of motor units Chapter 13 Dec 5 Spinal control of motor units Chapter 13 Dec 7 TBD Dec 17 Finals week -- EXAM #4 during this week This is a tentative schedule and may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

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Copyright 2018 Dr. Douglas Currie