Course content

NEVR2010 provides a thorough introduction to contemporary neuroscience. The course covers central themes and the corresponding disciplines that are relevant for neuroscience, including the neuron and neuronal networks, the organization and development of the central nervous system, systems in the central nervous system including the sensory and motor systems, as well as elements from cognitive and clinical neuroscience. The course also provides an introduction in philosophy and ethics of neuroscience.

The course is strongly recommended as a basis for the international master's programme in Neuroscience (www.ntnu.edu/studies/msneur), but the course may also be taken by students at the bachelor's level in a variety of disciplines including technology, electronics, computational science or biophysics (see also NEVR2030 for a condensed version). The course may also be of interest to students in the social sciences, arts and literature as well as psychology, who have an interest in the neuroscientific underpinning of for example, thoughts, speech capabilities or consciousness.

The course includes a short oral presentation on a predefined topic. Topics can be freely selected but have to be related to at least one of the lectures and/or reading material provided. The presentations allow to deepen knowledge in one of the lectured topics and trains presentation skills. In specific circumstances, an exempt is possible in which case an assay will replace the presentation. The assignment is evaluated as passed/failed.

Learning outcome

After completion of the course NEVR2010 the student:

1) has insight in basic structure and function of the nervous system ranging from the molecular to systems level, including general knowledge of the overall organization and functions of sensory and motor systems including their cortical and subcortical components, main modulatory systems, brainstem and spinal cord.

2) understands how neural systems contribute to sensory experiences, thoughts, emotions, behavior. This includes structure and function of the neuron, synapse and synaptic transmission, transmitter, membrane potential, methods to assess brain activity, neuronal integration and modulation.

3) is aware of the meaning and relevance of neurophilosophy

4) is able to reflect of scientific literature as reflected in preparing and presenting a coherent short presentation/short essay.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and assignment. The course will be held in English in view of the high number of exchange students taking the course. Regular final examination is given in the autumn semester only. Students with legitimate leave of absence at the final examination and students who receive the grade F may take a re-sit examination in the spring semester. If few candidates, the re-sit examination may be conducted as an oral examination.

Compulsory assignments

• Essay

Recommended previous knowledge

Elementary background in biology.

Course materials

Selected chapters of Neuroscience by Purves et. al, 5th edition Sinauer

Credit reductions