Neurobiology (ZO 488/588)

BIO488 / ZO588 -- Neurobiology Syllabus, Fall 2008 NCSU Department of Biology CURRENTLY INACTIVE -- many of the links have been removed NOTE: The next offering of this course will be Fall 2009 MW 3:00-4:15
When and Where Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00-4:15 David Clark Labs (DCL) 101 Credit hours: 3 go to Schedule		Prerequisites and Restrictions BIO 183 or ZO/BIO 160 A more advanced biology course is also strongly recommended (e.g., BIO/ZO 250, 212, 301/302, 414, 421, GN 311/411, BCH 451) for BIO588: Students may not receive credit for both BIO488 and BIO588. To take ZO588, you must have graduate standing or be taking the course for honors credit.


Instructor Dr. Jane Lubischer e-mail: jane_lubischer@ncsu.edu office: 124 DCL office phone: 515-2587 home page: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jllubisc/	Instructor's Study Group Session (aka Office Hours) TBA If you cannot make these times, feel free to schedule an appointment with me.

Textbook Neuroscience, Exploring the Brain, third edition (2007; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins) Mark F. Bear, Barry W. Connors, and Michael A. Paradiso approximately $85 new This book comes with a CD-ROM that has some useful study aids on it. I may use some in class, but you should check it out yourself. There is also an online tutoring service available (see the front of the textbook). I don't know if this is of use or not, so please give me your feedback if you try it out.

Course Web Sites I will update these sites throughout the semester with links to homework assignments, case studies, practice problems, old exams, exam keys, and other relevant material. http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/j/jllubisc/www/neurobiology/index.html for the syllabus (this page) http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/j/jllubisc/www/neurobiology/schedule.html for the schedule You can also find these pages through Wolfware, by clicking on "home page" at http://courses.ncsu.edu/bio488/

Tips for success While acknowledging the fact that different students have different styles of learning, there are still some bits of advice I can offer that seem to have helped students in previous years in this course. 1. Come to class. The single best predictor of success in this course is attendance. Obviously, it is not the only requirement for success, but it does seem to be essential. One reason this may be true is that the book has a lot more information in it than we will get a chance to cover in this class, and the material covered in lecture and in assignments is the material on which you should focus in preparing for exams. 2. Keep up with the material. There is a lot of material in this course, so you would be well advised to not let yourself fall behind. It is also true that new material often builds on an understanding of what has already been covered. So, again, you will get more from each class session the better you keep on top of material already presented. 3. Study with others. Even if this is not your typical way of studying, I strongly encourage you (and have heard past students echo this) to find/create/join a study group and meet on a regular basis. I will make myself available Thursdays 2:00-3:45 in DCL 124, but you need to create your own study groups as well. You can send an e-mail to the entire class (BIO488-001@wolfware.ncsu.edu) if you want to try to create a study group. (To do so, you must use your official university e-mail account; if this gets abused, please let me know and I will close access). You can also use the "study group" message board (found at http://courses.ncsu.edu/bio488/). I have tried to set up both the e-mail and the message board so that those enrolled in ZO 588 also have access. Please let me know if you have trouble. 4. Prioritize your studying. When writing exams, I draw most heavily from the material covered in class and homework assignments. If a topic is covered by the book but is not covered in lecture, I will typically not include it on the exam UNLESS I specifically tell you that I will. The book is a tremendous resource for learning the material in this course, but it covers more topics than we can possibly include in one semester. 5. Read through this entire syllabus and schedule to know what your resources are for this course. Throughout the semester, I will continue to post links online to relevant materials, including the slides I use in class. 6. Learn from the exams and answer keys. Once you have taken an exam, don't think you will never see that material again. I write detailed answer keys because I want you to learn from these exams. To encourage you to do so, it is not unusual for me to re-use a question (or include a similar one) on a later exam. So use each midterm and its answer key as a resource in reviewing previous material. Exams from previous years are also provided to help you get a feel for the types of questions you will see (although not necessarily the exact topics). 7. Treat assignments as learning opportunities. If you really think about the questions and discuss them with classmates you will learn more than if you take shortcuts just to complete the assignment. Homework assignments and in-class assignments are used as teaching tools rather than assessment tools -- i.e., they are here to help you learn rather than to give you a grade. You do receive credit for doing the assignments, but you should be getting a lot more out of them than just that. However, it is up to you to do so. 8. Learn the language of neurobiology. You will notice that one of the learning outcomes listed below includes a "working knowledge of neurobiological terminology." It is difficult to communicate knowledgeably about topics in neurobiology if you don't learn some of the jargon or language that neurobiologists use.

Additional Study Materials (to be added during the course of the semester) PDF files of the slides used in class will be posted before each class (available through links on the Schedule.) I will try to have them available by noon of the day of class. You can use the following old exams to help in studying. Some topics may have changed, but these should give you a good idea of the format of the exam and give you some practice questions to try on your own. Use the answer keys to check yourself after you have (1) tried the questions on your own and (2) tried the questions using your notes and book. Looking at the answer key too early in the study process will diminish the value of these old exams as study aids. There are no answer keys for old finals. Remember, the exact topics and order of topics may have changed this year. Exams from this year (all are pdf files): 2008 Midterm 1 and answer key 2008 Midterm 2 and answer key 2008 Midterm 3 and answer key Old exams (all are pdf files): Spring 2007 Midterm 1 and answer key Fall 2007 Midterm 1 and answer key Spring 2007 Midterm 2 and answer key Fall 2007 Midterm 2 and answer key Spring 2007 Midterm 3 and answer key Fall 2007 Midterm 3 and answer key Spring 2007 Final Exam

General Course Description and Student Learning Outcomes This course will use case study discussions and interactive lectures to explore a variety of topics in neurobiology. The primary goal of the course is to present students with an overview of the wide-ranging field of neuroscience, while teaching fundamental principles. Emphasis will be on the vertebrate, particularly mammalian, nervous system. Student participation in class discussions and in-class assignments, as well as time spent on the homework assignments, will be critical components of the learning process. By the end of this course, students will be able to: (1) outline the components of the vertebrate nervous system, (2) explain the functions of various parts of the nervous system, (3) distinguish between neurons and glial cells and their functions, (4) explain the electrical and chemical bases for neuronal signaling, (5) design experiments to address basic questions regarding the ionic basis of the membrane potential and regarding chemical neurotransmission, (6) identify fundamental principles in nervous system structure and function, (7) demonstrate a working knowledge of neurobiological terminology, and (8) evaluate experiments designed to test specific neurobiological hypotheses.

Grading Grades will be on the ABCDF scale with +/- grades. The letter grade will be based on the components listed separately below for BIO488 and ZO588. It is anticipated that letter grades for this course will be assigned according to the scale below, although these grade cutoffs may be lowered at the discretion of the instructor. They will not be raised. A's (90-100%) B's (80-89.9%) C's (70-79.9%) D's (60-69.9%) F (below 60%)

Calculation of the Final Course Grade for BIO488 Although exams are the same, grades are calculated separately for students in 488 and 588. Letter grades (with +/-) will be given based on three in-class midterm exams, the final exam, and a collection of in-class and homework assignments. In-class assignments cannot be "made-up" and homework assignments will not be accepted after the start of class on the date due. Due to the nature of the material, exams will be comprehensive. Each component will contribute in the following manner to the final grade: BIO488: In-class Assignments – 5% Homework Assignments – 5% Midterm 1 – 15% Midterm 2 -- 20% Midterm 3 – 25% Final Exam – 30%

Calculation of the Final Course Grade for ZO588 Letter grades (with +/-) will be given based on three in-class midterm exams, the final exam, a collection of in-class and homework assignments, and a final project to be described in a separate handout no later than the second week of classes. In-class assignments cannot be "made-up" and homework assignments will not be accepted after the start of class on the date due. Due to the nature of the material, exams will be comprehensive. Each component will contribute in the following manner to the final grade: ZO588: In-class Assignments – 5% Homework Assignments – 5% Midterm 1 – 10% Midterm 2 – 15% Midterm 3 -- 20% Final Exam – 25% 588 Project – 20% (see sample Specific Aims section)

Policy on Attendance and Make-up Exams Although roll will not be taken, regular attendance is essential to good performance in this course. The single best predictor of poor performance on the exams is poor attendance. Students who do not attend class on a consistent basis typically do not do well on the exams. In-class assignments cannot be made-up by those who are not in class when the assignment is given, unless documentation of a university-sanctioned excuse is provided within one week of returning to class. For information on university-sanctioned excuses, see the NCSU Attendance Regulations (http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php). Attendance on exam days is required. Students who have conflicts with any of the exam dates should contact the instructor as soon as possible. Opportunities to make up exams will be allowed if and only if students can provide a university-sanctioned excuse and supporting documentation.

Policy on Late Written Assignments and Incomplete Grades Written assignments will NOT be accepted after the start of class on the date due. (The only exceptions will be for those joining the class late in the semester.) Incomplete grades will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances; arrangements for completion of the required work must be made prior to the end of finals for this semester.

Policy on Exam Re-grades If you feel an error has been made in grading one of your exams, return the exam to the instructor with a written explanation of the error, and the entire exam will be re-graded. You must submit your request for a re-grade within one week after the exam is returned to you and the answer key is posted online. Please do not request a re-grade until you have compared your exam to the exam key provided by the instructor.

Policy on Academic Integrity Students are expected to adhere to the University policy on academic integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct, which can be found in the NCSU undergraduate catalog. The University policy on honesty and academic integrity can also be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_discipline/POL11.35.1.php It is the instructor’s understanding and expectation that the student’s signature on any exam or the submission of any written assignment means that the student neither gave nor received unauthorized aid on that exam or assignment. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid may result in an F for this course as well as more severe disciplinary penalties.

Students with Disabilities This course adheres to the NCSU policy on working with students with disabilities. This policy can be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/hat/current/appendix/appen_k.html and in the NCSU Handbook for Advising and Teaching. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653 (voice) or 515-8830 (TTY) AND contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester. For more information, see http://www.ncsu.edu/dso/ or http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss.

Important Deadlines (from Pack Tracks 2008 Fall Calendar) September 3 – Last day to register (includes payment of tuition and fees) or add a course. Last day to drop a course, or change from credit to audit with tuition adjustment. Last day for undergraduate students to drop below 12 hours. October 17 – Last day to withdraw or drop a course without a grade at ALL levels. Last day to change from credit to audit at ALL levels. Last day to change to credit only. Pack Tracks closes for Undergraduate and Graduate drops at 11:59 pm.

Course Evaluations I value your feedback on how to improve this course. You can send anonymous comments throughout the semester through the course WolfWare site (http://wolfware.ncsu.edu/wrap-bin/feedback?c=zo:488::001:8:2008) or (http://courses.ncsu.edu/zo488/). At the end of the semester, it is very important to complete the online course evaluation (ClassEval). Online class evaluations will be available for you to complete during the last two weeks of class. You will receive an email message directing you to a website where you can login using your Unity ID and complete evaluations for all your courses. All evaluations are confidential; instructors will never know how any one student responded to any question. Evaluation website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu Student help desk: classeval@ncsu.edu More information about ClassEval: http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/

Go to Course Schedule NOTE: The schedule is subject to change, except for exam dates; exam dates will not change once the semester starts. If topics change, the associated readings and assignments will also change. Any such changes will be announced in class. Although some in-class and homework assignments will be noted on the schedule, they will not always be announced in advance. *Check the Schedule on a regular basis for updated links to homework assignments, study notes for the reading, etc.