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MCB 481: Developmental Neurobiology
Course Syllabus
3 credits
Spring 2008
1:00-2:20 T/Th
Location 501 Burrill Hall
Instructor:
Dr. Lori Raetzman
535A Burrill Hall
raetzman@life.uiuc.edu
244-6233
Office Hours: Wednesday 9-10 am, or by appointment
Reading for the class:
Text:
Development of the Nervous System
Dan Sanes, Thomas Reh, William Harris
Second Edition
-strongly recommended for Undergraduates, optional for graduate students
Seondary text:
Developmental Neurobiology
Mahendra Rao and Marcus Jacobson
Fourth Edition
-optional reading for everyone
Background Reading:
-will be posted on the website
Primary Literature (Journal Articles):
-will be handed out during class and available on website
Course Philosophy and Objectives:
Neural development is a complex process starting with the specification of neurons from undifferentiated ectoderm. In this course we will explore early events shaping the birth of neurons and the signals necessary for the neurons to differentiate from one another to become the amazing organ we call the brain. To disseminate this information, lectures from the professor will be coordinated with journal article presentation by the professor and the students.
By the end of the course the student should:
-be conversant on the basic areas of developmental neurobiology including neurogenesis, cell fate assignment, cell death, axon pathfinding and synaptogenesis
-understand techniques in developmental biology and neurobiology research
-read and understand a Journal Article
-present a Journal Article to a group of scientific peers
Prerequisites:
This course is meant for upper level MCB majors or graduate students. Required classes: MCB 252, Either MCB 400, 410 or 412.
Class format:
Lectures on Tuesdays
Journal article presentation on Thursdays (2 presentations/class period)
Grading:
Grade is based on exam scores (60%) and presentations (40%). Grades will be assigned as: A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, D=60%, F=below 60%. Minus/plus grades and curves will be used at the discretion of the instructor.
Examinations (worth 60% of grade)
There will be 3 exams. Mixed format including multiple choice, short answer and essay. The exams will cover lecture material presented prior to the exam. The final exam is not cumulative. Exams will be worth 20 points each.
Article presentations (worth 40% of grade)
Each article will be presented by an assigned student, with 1 student assigned as a discussant. Write-up by presenters and questions from discussants will be turned in. The rest of the class will be expected to participate in discussion of the paper. Presentation and write up worth 30%, discussion and questions worth 5%, participation in discussions 5%. Only the individual presentation will count toward your grade.
Policy for missed exams/presentations:
Special exam arrangements will be made for students with foreseeable schedule conflicts (like religious holidays), with 2 weeks advance notice. Other missed exams may be made up only with a documented excuse. If you are going to miss a presentation, you must make every effort to switch presentation dates with someone else in the class.
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