Below is a list of required and elective Neurosciences courses. Potential elective courses may be listed in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology or other departments. This is a partial list of available courses:

NEUR 402 : PRINCIPLES OF NEURAL SCIENCE

Description: Lecture/discussion course covering concepts in cell and molecular neuroscience, principles of systems neuroscience as demonstrated in the somatosensory system, and fundamentals of the development of the nervous system. This course will prepare students for upper level Neuroscience courses and is also suitable for students in other programs who desire an understanding of neurosciences. Prereq: CBIO 453.

NEUR 405: CELL & MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY

Description: Cell biology of nerve cells, including aspects of synaptic structure physiology and chemistry. The application of molecular biological tools to questions of synaptic function will be addressed. Prereq: BIOL 473.

NEUR 411 : NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE

Description: Designed to show how basic research in neuroscience has contributed to the management of clinical problems in human neurology and to discuss some of the further challenges posed by human disease for research in neurobiology. The general format will include clinical descriptions of patient presentation, discussion of the disease mechanisms and an analysis of contributions of cellular and systems neuroscience to understanding of the human disorder. Specific topics to be discussed include myasthenia gravis, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), multiple sclerosis, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, poliomyelitis, seizures and strokes. Prereq: NEUR 402 or NEUR 405.

NEUR 415 : NEUROSCIENCE SEMINARS

Description: Current topics of interest in neurosciences. Students attend weekly seminars. From this series, students prepare critiques. No credit is given for less than 75% attendance.

NEUR 425 : STEM CELL BIOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS

Description: This course is intended to teach current understanding of stem cells as it relates to their characterization, function, and physiologic and pathological states. The course will expose students to the current understanding of various types of stem cells, including embryonic and adult stem cells of various tissues, techniques for their isolation and study. Experimental models and potential biomedical therapeutic applications will be discussed. The course will be taught by the faculty of the “Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine” who are affiliated with multiple departments of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the partnering biomedical companies.

NEUR 427 : NEURAL DEVELOPMENT

Description: Topics include cell commitment, regulation of proliferation and differentiation, cell death and trophic factors, pathfinding by the outgrowing nerve fiber, synapse formation, relationships between center and periphery in development and the role of activity.

NEUR 432: BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF VISION

Description: Increasingly, progress in the study of visual science is requiring multidisciplinary approaches that draw from the areas of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience and pathology. We have recognized this fact and have adapted this course to fit the needs of tomorrow’s scientists. This course encompasses the basic science aspects of the eye. Subjects include retinal anatomy and function; biochemical, molecular aspects of retinal disease and cataract; cellular and molecular neuroscience aspects pertinent to the visual system.

NEUR 435 : VISION:MOLECULES TO PERCEPTION

Description: The organization, physiology, and function of the vertebrate visual system are considered in detail. The visual pathway from retina to LGN and visual cortex is described with an emphasis on circuits that produce successively more complex receptive field properties. Classic papers and current literature form the basic course material. Assessment is based on student presentations, class participation, and a term paper. Prereq: NEUR 402 or consent of department.

NEUR 440 : SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

Description: This course will explore the basic mechanisms of synaptic transmission that operate at central and peripheral synapses. Students will read and present a mixture of historical and modern papers that established the fundamental principles of synaptic transmission and plasticity. The course will begin with a brief review of cellular neurophysiology and the techniques used to study synaptic potentials. We will then read classic papers by Katz and colleagues that defined the mechanisms controlling transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. Next we will consider the role of calcium in regulating the release of neurotransmitters and in short-term modulation of synaptic potentials. We will then explore pre- and post-synaptic processes such as receptor saturation and vesicle dynamics that govern the amplitude and time course of post-synaptic potentials. Quantal analysis and silent synapses will be discussed in the context of the present-day controversies regarding long-term potentiation at central synapses. We will also consider the relationship between short- and long-term synaptic plasticity and behavioral functions such as learning and memory. Occasional faculty lectures will complement student presentations on primary research articles. Student grades will be based on two short (5 page) essays and class participation. Prereq: Permission of the course director.

NEUR 473 : INTRODUCTION TO NEUROBIOLOGY

Description: How nervous systems control behavior. Biophysical, biochemical, and molecular biological properties of nerve cells, their organization into circuitry, and their function within networks. Emphasis on quantitative methods for modeling neurons and networks, and on critical analysis of the contemporary technical literature in the neurosciences. Term paper required. Two lectures per week. Prereq: Consent of department.

NEUR 474 : NEUROBIOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR

In this course, students will examine how neurobiologists interested in animal behavior study the linkage between neural circuitry and complex behavior. Various vertebrate and invertebrate systems will be considered. Several exercises will be used in this endeavor. Although some lectures will provide background and context on specific neural systems, the emphasis of the course will be on classroom discussion of specific journal articles. In addition, students will each complete a project in which they will observe some animal behavior and generate both behavioral and neurobiological hypotheses related to it. In lieu of examinations, students will complete three written assignments, including a theoretical grant proposal, a one-page Specific Aims paper related to the project, and a final project paper. These assignments are designed to give each student experience in writing biologically-relevant documents. Classroom discussions will help students understand the content and format of each type document. They will also present their projects orally to the entire class. Approved SAGES departmental seminar for BIOL 374 only. Approved SAGES departmental seminar. Prereq: BIOL 216.

NEUR 476 : NEUROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

Introduction to the basic laboratory techniques of neurobiology. Intracellular and extracellular recording techniques, forms of synaptic plasticity, patch clamping, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy. During the latter weeks of the course students will be given the opportunity to conduct an independent project. One laboratory per week. Prereq: BIOL 216.

NEUR 478: COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE

Description: Computer simulation of neurons and neural circuits, and the computational properties of nervous systems. Students are taught a range of models for neurons and neural circuits, and are asked to implement and explore the computational and dynamic properties of these models. The course introduces students to dynamical systems theory for the analysis of neurons and neural circuits, as well as to cable theory, passive and active compartmental modeling, numerical integration methods, models of plasticity and learning, models of brain systems, and their relationship to artificial neural networks. Term project required. Two lectures per week.

NEUR 479: SEM: COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE

Description: Readings and discussion in the recent literature on computational neuroscience, adaptive behavior, and other current topics.

NEUR 482: DRUGS, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR

This course is concerned with the mechanisms underlying neurochemical signaling and the impact of drugs on those mechanisms. The first half of the course emphasizes the fundamental mechanisms underlying intra- and extracellular communication of neurons and the basic principles of how drugs interact with the nervous system. The second half of the course emphasizes understanding the neural substrates of disorders of the nervous system, and the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of drugs at the cellular and behavioral levels. This course will consist of lectures designed to give the student necessary background for understanding these basic principles and class discussion. The class discussion will include viewing video examples of behavioral effects of disorders of the nervous system, and analysis of research papers. The goal of the class discussions is to enhance the critical thinking skills of the student and expose the student to contemporary research techniques. Prereq: BIOL 215 and BIOL 216 or permission of department.

NEUR 518 : SIGNALING VIA CELL ADHESION

Molecular mechanisms by which cells interact with and are regulated by extracellular matrices and other cells. Prereq: CBIO 453 and CBIO 455.

NEUR 540: ADVANCED TOPICS IN NEUROSCIENCE ETHICS

Description: This course offers continuing education in responsible conduct of research for advanced graduate students. The course will cover the nine defined areas of research ethics through a combination of lectures, on-line course material and small group discussions. Six 2-hr meetings per semester. Maximum of 15 students with preference given to graduate students in the Neurosciences program. All Neurosciences graduate students must complete this course (typically during their 3rd or 4th year in the program.)