BIO488 / ZO588 -- Neurobiology
Schedule, Fall 2009

Class meets MW 3:00-4:15 in DCL 101

This schedule is currently being updated.
*This schedule is subject to change, but exam dates will not change once the semester has started. If topics change, the associated readings and assignments will also change.

*In-class and homework assignments are not typically listed below until they have been distributed in class, but links will be posted afterward (in case you lose yours or miss class). Check this page regularly for updated links to homework assignments, cases discussed in class, key terms from the reading, etc. You are responsible for turning in homework assignments at the start of class on the day due. In-class assignments must be completed within that class session for credit.

*The dates indicated for homeworks and cases are tentative.

*All exams are cumulative, but will emphasize material not previously tested.

*Chapter numbers refer to the textbook (Bear, Connors, and Paradiso -- see syllabus).

*PDF files of the SLIDES for each class will be made available by 12 noon before each class (although i will try to post them the night before class) as pdf files -- to access them click on the "slides" link under Assignments for the day you want. You can also find a complete list of slides by date here.

Key terms for each chapter will generally be posted (below) after the relevant lectures.

DATE TITLE ASSIGNMENTS
August 19
Wednesday
Introduction to the Course:
Building Blocks of the Nervous System
Ch 1-2 (key terms for Ch 1-2)
Case 1 in class
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
August 24
Monday
Electrical Signaling I -- Resting Membrane Potential Ch 3-4 (key terms for Ch 3-4)
HW1 due
Case 2A in class
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

588 Project handout and sample Specific Aims section
August 26
Wednesday
Electrical Signaling II -- the Action Potential

*special "how to study" discussion*

Ch 4 (key terms for Ch 3-4)
HW2 due
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Nernst Handout

August 31
Monday
Synaptic Transmission I Ch 5-6
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Sept 2
Wednesday

Synaptic Transmission II

Ch 5-6
in-class assignment
HW3 due
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

*588 Final Project topic due

Sept 7
Monday
no class -- Labor Day holiday  
Sept 9
Wednesday
Synaptic Transmission III Ch 5-6 (key terms Ch 5-6)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Case 3
Sept 14
Monday
Nervous System Organization and Early Development Ch 7
Ch 7 appendix
(key terms for Ch 7 and appendix to date)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Sept 16
Wednesday


***MIDTERM EXAM 1***
answer key

August 19 through September 14

Sept 21
Monday
Sensory Systems I - Somatic Sensory System Ch 12 (key terms Ch 12)
Case 4
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Sept 23
Wednesday
Sensory Systems II - Visual System Ch 9 (pp. 278, 288-306, and Box 9.1)
Ch 10 (key terms Ch 9-10)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Sept 28
Monday
Sensory Systems III -- General Principles

Ch 8-12 (for key terms see HW5 answer key)
HW4 due
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
HW4 answer key
*588 Final Project annotated ref list due

Sept 30
Wednesday
Motor Systems I -- Lower and Upper Motor Neurons

Ch 13-14 (key terms Ch 13-14)
HW5 due
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
in-class exercise (draw a neural circuit for the ipsilateral flexion/contralateral extension reflex -- i.e., the response to stepping on a tack with the right foot)
HW5 answer key

Oct 5
Monday
Motor Systems II -- Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum Ch 14 (key terms for Ch 13-14)
handout (pdf)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Oct 7
Wednesday

***MIDTERM EXAM 2***
exam 2 / answer key
August 19 through October 5
emphasis on Sept 21 - Oct 5

Oct 12
Monday
Global Control Systems Ch 15 (key terms for Ch 15)
Ch 16 (key terms for Ch 16)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

Oct 14
Wednesday

Reward and Addiction

Ch 16 (key terms for Ch 16)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
ANS quiz

Oct 19
Monday
Sex and the Brain

Ch 17 (key terms for Ch 17)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Case 5A (part of HW7)
fun reading
HW6 due (HW6 answers)

* 588 Final Project SA draft, BS outline, and revised annotated refs due -- you may e-mail these to me or bring a hardcopy

Oct 21
Wednesday
Emotion Ch 18 (key terms for Ch 18)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
HW6 due (HW6 answers)
Oct 26
Monday
Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Ch 19 (key terms Ch 19)
HW7 due (HW7 answers)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Oct 28
Wednesday
Language and Split-Brain studies
Ch 20 (key terms Ch 20)
HW8 due
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
relevant You Tube videos: (one seen in class) (longer one, with additional cool stuff)
in-class assignment (see the new slides posted Oct 29)
Nov 2
Monday
Attention and Consciousness Ch 21 (key terms for Ch 21 and MORE)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
Case 6 (pdf)
Nov 4
Wednesday

***MIDTERM EXAM 3***
exam 3 / answer key

Aug 19 through November 2
emphasis on Oct 12 - Nov 2
Nov 9
Monday
Mental Illness Ch 22 (key terms Ch 22)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

*588 Final Project due
Nov 11
Wednesday
Neural Development I Ch 23 (key terms Ch 23)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

HW for next time: PREPARE for quiz (see slides from today)
Nov 16
Monday
Neural Development II Ch 23 (key terms Ch 23)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)
in class assignment -- QUIZ on ocular dominance columns!

*588 Final Project feedback due
Nov 18
Wednesday
Neural Development III Ch 23 (key terms Ch 23)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

Case 7 (in class assignment) -- answer key
Nov 23
Monday

Neural Plasticity I & II --
some Synaptic Plasticity and Learning
some Learning and Memory

FIX

Ch 25 (key terms Ch 25) and 716-722 in Ch 23
Ch 24 (key terms Ch 24) and 787-791 in Ch 25
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

Case 8 in class
Nov 25
Wednesday
no class -- Thanksgiving holiday  
Nov 30
Monday

Neural Plasticity I & II --
some Synaptic Plasticity and Learning
some Learning and Memory

FIX

Ch 25 (key terms Ch 25) and 716-722 in Ch 23
Ch 24 (key terms Ch 24) and 787-791 in Ch 25
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

Case 8 in class
Dec 2
Wednesday
Neural Plasticity III -- Cortical Plasticity Case 9 = reading for today
(key terms for reading)
slides (one per page) (6 per page)

QUIZ on reading (answer key)

Dec 9
Wednesday

***FINAL EXAM***
1:00-4:00

everything (Aug 19 - Dec 2)
some emphasis on Nov 9 - Dec 2

back to syllabus