3rd semester

Basic courses required in the 3rd semester:

201 Genetic Models (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course presents basic concepts in designing and applying genetic animal models and analysis methods in flies, mice and humans to neurological processes. The topics include principles of forward and backward genetics, generation of mutants, acute genetic intervention with viral vectors, characterization of mutant phenotypes, examples of hereditary diseases with neurological symptoms, phenotypic expression of different types of mutations, as well as recent developments in the application of genetic tools to neural circuit analysis and brain imaging.

203 Neuroendocrinology & -inflammation (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course covers cells and tissues of the immune system, recognition of antigens, effector mechanisms of the immune response, blood-brain-barrier, microglia, mechanisms of immune privilege, protective immunity, and neuroinflammation.

205 Neural signalling (seminar and exercises in scientific writing, 4 credits)

This course aims at exercising the design of research projects in the field of neural signalling and to learn how to write a research proposal. The potential topics include principles of molecuar signalling, activation of signalling pathways, receptor types, G-proteins and molecular targets, second messengers and their targets, nuclear signalling and examples of neuronal signal transduction. The topics will be presented by the factulty members and students will select one of the topics to write and present a research proposal.

211 Cognitive neurobiology (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course covers brain systems that underlie higher cognitive functions. Topics may vary from year to year and may include attention, planning and decision making, working memory, language and speech, emotion, social interaction, consciousness, and others. In the lab, students perform classic behavioural and psychophysical experiments.

214 Behavioral Pharmacology (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course surveys neurochemical and pharmacological mechanisms of brain function from the genetic to the systems and behavioral level. In presenting the role of different transmitter systems in brain function, the neuroanatomical, physiological, molecular and pathological behavioral, including clinical aspects will be highlighted.

215 Macroimaging (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course covers modern methods of macroscopic in vivo imaging and non-invasive recording. The basic techniques and methods for in vivo imaging, in particular MRI (signal generation, spatial encoding), EEG and MEG are discussed. The applications of these methods to neuroscience including experimental design and data analysis are explained. The lab allows students to run and analyze small experiments and is rotated between EEG, MEG, small animal MRI and human MRI.

217 Microimaging (lecture and lab 4 credits)

This course introduces modern techniques of microscopic imaging and their applications to neuroscience. Particular topics include wide-field, fluorescence, confocal, and 2-photon-microscopy, as well as modern fluorescent and photosensitive agents in neuroscience research. The lab introduces students to imaging techniques for detecting electrical activity in neuron and glial cell populations.

221 Spiking networks (lecture and lab 4 credits)

Biologically plausible networks of spiking neurons require particular theoretical and computational methods. This course introduces population equations, signal transmission models, oscillations and synchrony, spatially structured networks, Hebbian models and stochastic plasticity, learning equations and issues of plasticity and coding. The tutorial illustrates the material with Matlab exercises.

241 Clinical neuroscience (lecture 4 credits)

This course offers a systematic presentation of the neurobiological foundations of psychiatric and neurloogical disorders. Special emphasis is given to relate functional neuroanatomy, physiology of transmitter systems, and genetics to neuropsychiatric syndromes such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, addiction and anxiety disorders. Moreover, the mechanisms of psychopharmacological compounds and drugs will be explained. Besides the theoretical framework, patients with neuropsychiatric diseases will be presented.

242 Cognitive Neuroimaging (lecture 4 credits)

The course aims to provide an overview of non invasive imaging methods and their applications in human cognition and emotion. We will enter the functional neuroanatomy of higher cognitive functions such as memory, attention and social interaction with a specific focus on the brain regions involved and the change of associated brain function in certain neuropsychiatric diseases.

Required courses:

350 Scientific Ethics (2 credits)

190 Lab rotation III (4 credits)

Supervised research in a laboratory chosen by the student.

Optional courses:

180 Journal Club (student-led seminar 2 credits)

185 Neurocolloquium (student-led seminar 1 credit)

Students take turns in presenting and discussing recent publications in prominent journals.