Course Identification

Methods in neuroscience
20183172

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Prof. Ofer Yizhar
Dr. Meytar Zemer Schocken, Dr. Noa Sadeh, Dr. Ori Roethler, Dr. Yoav Printz

Course Schedule and Location

2018
Second Semester
Tuesday, 14:15 - 16:00, FGS, Rm C
20/03/2018

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

Life Sciences (Brain Sciences: Systems, Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Track): Laboratory; Obligatory; 2.00 points
Life Sciences: Laboratory; Elective; Regular; 2.00 points
Life Sciences (Systems Biology Track): Laboratory; Elective; Regular; 2.00 points
Life Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Track): Laboratory; Elective; Regular; 2.00 points

Comments

This course is obligatory for MSc students in Life Sciences - Brain Sciences, and is elective for all other Life Sciences Students. The lectures will take place throughout the second semester, and the practical part of the course will be provided after the exam period in the 2nd semester (specific dates for the practical course will be announced during the second semester).

The number of students in the lecture course is not limited. The laboratory course is limited to 12 students and participation in this part of the course is subject to approval by the course coordinator.

Prerequisites

"Introduction to Neuroscience: Cellular and Synaptic Physiology", or equivalent Introductory course in Neuroscience.

Restrictions

60

Language of Instruction

English

Attendance and participation

Obligatory

Grade Type

Pass / Fail

Grade Breakdown (in %)

50%
50%

Evaluation Type

Final assignment

Scheduled date 1

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-
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Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

1

Syllabus

This course is intended to familiarize the students with a wide range of methods and technologies used in state-of-the-art neuroscience research. The lecture-based part of the course will cover a range of methods, including neurophysiology, imaging, microscopy and optogenetic techniques.

The lab course will take place in the summer, and include extensive hands-on experiments in several labs, followed by data analysis and submission of written reports. The main emphasis will be given on techniques of neurophysiology. Techniques covered in the lab course will include:

  1. Extracellular recordings in vivo.
  2. Intracellular recordings in vivo.
  3. Patch clamp recording in cultured neurons.
  4. Imaging of calcium dynamics in individual cells.
  5. Optogenetics
  6. In vivo calcium imaging in freely moving mice

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students should be be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge in a wide range of neuroscience methods.
  2. Read and understand research papers that utilize modern neurophysiology and imaging techniques.
  3. Conduct experiments, collect and analyze neural data.
  4. Demonstrate comprehension of the rules that govern the activity of central neurons.

Reading List

  • The Axon Guide (3rd edition) - available online from various sources.
  • Imaging in Neuroscience - a Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Press)

Website

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