COURSE UNIT TITLE

: BASIC NEUROSCIENCE

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
MBG 5026 BASIC NEUROSCIENCE ELECTIVE 3 0 0 9

Offered By

Molecular Biology and Genetics

Level of Course Unit

Second Cycle Programmes (Master's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR ŞERMIN GENÇ

Offered to

Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology and Genetics

Course Objective

This course is designed for graduate students with a basic knowledge of biology. This course will survey the organization and function of the nervous system at a level understandable to both science and non-science majors. We will cover the history of neuroscience, structure and functions of neurons and glia, cell communication, development and structure of the nervous system, how we perceive and react to the world around us (visual system, motor system, sensory system). Diseases affecting the nervous system will be discussed each week.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   To learn nervous system and its processes
2   To have historical background of ground-breaking knowledge in neuroscience
3   To learn synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, and neurotropic factors
4   To understand structure and functions of neurons and glia
5   To comprehend neuroanatomical structures

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Overview of course, history of neuroscience
2 Cells of the nervous system, basic cell biology, structure of neurons and glia
3 Neuronal membranes, membrane structure, movement of ions 3 ionic basis of resting membrane potential
4 Action Potentials, voltage-gated ion channels
5 Synaptic transmission, synapse structure, principles of synaptic integration
6 Neurotransmitters and receptors
7 Methods of study, chemistry, ion channels and receptors (cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, etc.)
8 Midterm
9 Neuroanatomy; Structure and development of the nervous system
10 Chemical Senses: Taste and Smell
11 Eye and Central Visual System
12 Central Visual System
13 Somatic Sensation
14 Somatic Sensation
15 Problem based study
16 Final exam

Recomended or Required Reading

Textbook(s):
Neuroscience: Neuroscience, Exploring the Brain, by M.F. Bear, B.W. Connors, and
M.A. Paradiso, 3rd edition, 2007, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

Supplementary Book(s) and media:
References: Principles of Neural science, Kandel, Schwartz, Jessel, Appleton and Lange.
http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/

Materials: It is expected that the papers will be read by the assigned date and that
students will be prepared to participate in class discussion.
Primary literature sources will be used. The papers will be selected by the instructor at the time of the course so that the readings will be current and at the appropriate level of difficulty for each topic. Some examination questions will be based on these additional readings.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lectures and problem based study

The material presented in the lectures will cover the most important parts of the text reading assignments, therefore class attendance is important.

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 FIN FINAL EXAM
3 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.50 + FIN *0.50
4 RST RESIT
5 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.50 + RST * 0.50


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

Knowledge about nervous system and its processes, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters and neurotropic factors, neuroanatomical structures, basic research methods in those fields will be evaluated by exams.
Tests will be composed of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer
questions.

Grade %
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
E <60

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

To be announced.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

To be announced.

Office Hours

At specific times (TBA) as well as by appointment.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 14 3 42
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 7 98
Preparation for midterm exam 1 20 20
Preparation for final exam 1 30 30
Preparing assignments 12 2 24
Final 1 2 2
Midterm 1 2 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 218

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8
LO.14
LO.22
LO.32
LO.42
LO.52