Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary domain that draws upon molecular biology, chemistry, physics, behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, computer science and more. This course provides an introduction to the study of neural processes which produce human behavior, focusing on learning and memory. During this course we will describe and consider how neurobiological methods can augment science education research.
A. Introductory lectures:
1. Introduction to cell biology & neurobiology: From neuron structure to brain function (morphology, signal transduction, chemical signaling, hormones, homeostasis).
2. Functional neuroanatomy: Outline of brain anatomy and functional specialization.
3. Methods for measuring neural activity: EEG, fNIRS, PET, SPECT, fMRI, Single cell recording, eye tracking, GSR.
B. Research focused lectures:
In this part we will shift between lectures and student seminars.
4. Introduction to learning & memory: how many kinds of memory are there? How is a memory created? How do we forget? What creates false memories? Brain plasticity.
5. Student seminar: paradigms in science education research
6. Emotional memory: emotions affect memory creation and memory retrieval.
7. Student seminar: describing emotional influence on learning
8. Social neuroscience: brains work in a social context
9. Student seminar: monitoring effects of social influence on learning
10. Dopamine as driver of Motivation
11. Student seminar: quantifying motivated learning
12. Attention systems in the brain: how do we focus attention? What happens in brains that cannot attend properly, such as those with attention deficit disorder (ADHD)?
13. Student seminar: measuring attention on-line