Molecular biology of the nervous system
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Spring
- Course code
- MOL214
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives:
This course should equip students with an understanding of the molecular basis of membrane electrical excitability and related neurophysiology and with some hands-on experience of measuring ion channel function. After the course, students should be ready to embark on further study or lab projects in molecular neuroscience, biophysics, or pharmacology.
Content:
The course covers the major proteins that set up chemical and electrical gradients across cell membranes and mediate membrane excitability in cells such as neurons.
The course describes the biophysical basis of protein function, how this mediates physiological processes especially in the nervous system, in addition to experimental techniques and pharmacological avenues. It also includes a practical introduction to electrophysiology in the laboratory, and tutorials/discussions and presentations of relevant research.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge - The student can explain
- The major groups of membrane proteins that mediate electrical excitability of cells
- Basic aspects of neurophysiology
- Molecular or biophysical bases of membrane protein function
- Some of the major recent directions of protein and neurophysiology research or
biotechnology
Skills - The student can
- Assess research and present it clearly to other scientists
- Perform basic experiments assessing ion channel function
- Perform basic pharmacological data analysis
- Write research reports
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Spring.
This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 2. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.
It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.
Place of Instruction
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
The course consists of the following activities:
- Ca. 25 x 1 h 45 min lectures
- Pre-reading for lectures (~2 h each)
- 30 min presentation
- Preparing scientific presentation (~20 h)
- 2 x 3 h laboratory course
- Pre-reading for laboratory course (~20 h)
- Writing laboratory report (~20 h)
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Orientation meeting is mandatory, otherwise you risk losing your spot.
Participation in the laboratory course is compulsory.
Written laboratory report is compulsory.
Oral presentation of approved research topic and attendance and discussion of other presentations is compulsory.
All compulsory activity must be approved before the exam can be taken.
The compulsory activities are valid for six semesters (the current semester and the following five semesters).