Course Overview

Course Details:
Text: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain (3rd ed.) – Bear et al.

Course Goals:

• Understand the structure and function of the nervous system
• Gain foundational knowledge in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurodevelopment
• Explore disorders and current neuroscience research

Assessments:

• Weekly quizzes (optional, short-form)
• One group presentation (Week 10)
• Participation in activities and discussions

Course Calendar: 

Meetings will be held weekly for 60 minutes. Exact schedule TBD.

• Week 1 – Introduction to Neuroscience
  • Topics: What is neuroscience? History, major questions, basic divisions of the nervous system
• Week 2 – Neuroanatomy Basics
  • Topics: Brain regions, spinal cord, lobes, planes of section, CNS vs. PNS
• Week 3 – Electrical Signaling
  • Topics: Resting membrane potential, action potentials
• Week 4 – Synaptic Transmission
  • Topics: Chemical vs. electrical synapses, neurotransmitters, receptors
• Week 5 – Sensory Systems: Vision & Touch + Motor Systems & Movement
  • Topics: Eye anatomy, photoreceptors, somatosensation, 
• Week 6 – Brain Disorders and Research Frontiers
  • Topics: Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, depression, brain-computer interfaces