Physiology and Neuroscience - Lectures and courses 2011 - 2012

Courses 2011 - 2012 | Courses 2012 -2013 | Student Advising | Exams | Forms

Lectures and seminars

920006 Synaptic signalling and plasticity, lectures link added 23.8.
522049 Lectures in Laboratory Animal Science (2 cr) updated 12.10.
522020 Neurobiophysics 1 link added 7.9.
920006 Synaptic signaling and plasticity ( 3 cr) Neuroscience Center
920001 Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Neuroscience Center
52098 Phenotypical Characterization of Transgenic Animals (3cr) updated 17.2.
52265 / 920009 Introduction to neurobiology (5cr) updated 19.3. ( Postponed to fall 2012)

Courses

52271 Electrophysiological Techniques link added 7.9.
522056  Behavioral Testing for Rat Models of Neurological Diseases (3 cr) updated 26.8.

Lectures and seminars

522049 Lectures in Laboratory Animal Science (2 Cr) updated 12.10. Powerpoints and additional examinations
Program: PDF
Time: 26.9.-19.10., Mon 26 Sept 8-16, Tue 27 Sept 8-15, Wed 28 Sept 8-12,  Thu 29 Sept 8-12, Mon 3Oct 8-12, Tue 4 Oct 8-10, Mon 10 Oct 8-12, Tue 11 Oct 8-12,  Wed 12 Oct 8-12, Mon 17 Oct 8-12, EXAM Wed 19 Oct 10-12. >> See program
Place: Mondays BIO2 AUD 1041, except Mon 17.10. INFO 2, Tuesdays VIC LS1, Wednesdays INFO 2, except Wed 19.10. BIO2 AUD 1041, Thursday 29.9. BIO3, 2402
Responsible person: Univ. Lecturer Pia Saarinen, FT Eva Ruusuvuori
Goal: These lectures are part of studies which lead to C-category (scientist) competence to work with laboratory animals according to European (Convention 1986/ETS 123; Directive 86/609/EEC) and Finnish legislation (62/2006).
Content: 1. Biology and husbandry of laboratory animals, 2. Microbiology and disease, 3. Genetics, 4. Health hazards and safe practices, 5. Design and conduct of animal experiments, 6. Anaesthesia, analgesia and experimental procedures, 7. Alternatives to animal use, 8. Ethical aspects and legislation, 9. Analysis of scientific literature.
Learning material and literature: Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science (2nd edition), Vol 1, Essential Principles and Practices. Jann Hau and Gerald L. Van Hoosier, Jr. (eds). CRC Press, 2003, or other literature.
Realisation and working methods: Lectures (40-45 h) and an exam.
Evaluation: Grading scale 0-5 (exam)
Exam: Wed 19 Oct 10-12 BIO2 AUD 2041
Additional examinations on two general examination dates. For these exams, register via WebOodi at the latest one week before exam.
Friday 2nd of December 2011: Examination II at 12 o'clock in Biocenter 2, lecture room 2041
Friday 27th of January 2012: Examination III at 12 o'clock in Biocenter 2, lecture room 2041
Additional information: This lecture series replaces 52213 Koe-eläintiede (kirjallisuustentti) 2 op. These lectures together with 522055 Practical Work in Laboratory Animal Science or an equivalent course, and suitable academic degree will give competence to FELASA Category C - Persons responsible for directing animal experiments (522051).

52265 / 920009 Introduction to neurobiology (5cr) updated 19.3.2012
Time: 29.10.-9.11.2012, daily (Mo-Fri) 13-16
Place:
Responsible person: Prof. Kai Kaila
Target group: Students from different disciplines, e.g. biology, psychology, medicine, physics and biomedical engineering.
Learning material and literature: Lecture handouts and notes
>> Course website
Realisation and working methods: lecture course, written exam
Evaluation: Participation in lectures, exam, evaluation scale 0-5
Content: the following subjects, among others, will be discussed during the lectures:

• Neurobiology and its relationships to other fields of science
• Research methods in neurobiology
• History of ideas and ideologies in neurobiology
• Biophysics of neuronal membranes; thermodynamics of electrochemical phenomena
• Electrical and chemical signalling in the brain: ion channels and transporters, action and resting potentials, synaptic function and plasticity
• Information processing in the nervous system
• Plasticity of the developing and adult brain: establishment, pruning and maintenance of neuronal connections; Hebbian vs. homeostatic plasticity
• Genes and brains. "Nature and Nurture"; ontogeny and evolution.
• Spontaneous activity in the developing brain: mechanisms and consequences
• Learning and memory: from behaviorism to modern neuroscience
• Motor system: muscles, central pattern generators, reflexes and voluntary control
• Neuroethology: neuronal networks and fixed action patterns
• Sensations and perceptions (receptors, feature detectors, and the "binding problem")
• Evolutionary optimization and compromises in the "design" of the brain
• Neurobiology of consciousness

52098 Phenotypical Characterization of Transgenic Animals (3cr) updated 17.2.
Timing: 21.-22.5.2012 daily 9:15-17
Place: Viikki Infocenter, lecture room 3 (Viikinkaari 11)
Exam: June 7th, 2012 (Info3) at 13:00
Objective: Familiarizing students with different transgenic animal models and the theories and methods used in neurobiological research. Contents The course is based on lectures of specialists on different animal models and analysing techniques and case studies.
>> Course website
Evaluation: Participation in lectures, exam, evaluation scale 0-5
Responsible person: Prof. Kai Kaila; more information from katri.wegelius(at)helsinki.fi
Realisation and working methods: Lecture course, written exam

Courses

522056  Behavioral Testing for Rat Models of Neurological Diseases (3 cr)
Time: 12. - 15.12. time 13-18
Place: Biocenter 3, course room 2602 (division of Physiology and Neuroscience)
Responsible person: Mohamed Helmy, mohamed.helmy|at|helsinki.fi
Target group:
Goal: A wide variety of tests are available for the behavioral testing of rats. At the end of this course, students should: (1) Understand the significance of these tests as models of neurological systems (motor, sensory, cognitive, etc.); (2) Be able to perform a representative sample of such tests, and become familiar with normal rat behavior in various setups; (3) Realize the potential and limitation of such testing, and the need to use a wide variety of tests; (4) Design a simple battery of tests for a neurological model of human disease or (novel) drug; (5) Recognize where EthoVision XT 7.0 can be used to facilitate behavioral analysis. 
Content: (1) The rat as an animal model of neurological disease; (2) The advantages and disadvantages of rat models, the power and limitation of testing and experimental design; (3) Setups in the behavioral testing of rats; (4) Motor tests and reflexology; (5) Sensory tests; (6) Cognitive/affective and memory tests; (7) Social interaction; (8) Analysis of results on EthoVision; (9) Collation of results, analysis, presentation, and preliminary interpretation.
Preceding studies: Dr. Sinika Tahka's introductory course on animal handling is useful but not a requirement. 
Realisation and working methods: 8 h theoretical, 15 h practical work. A report, based on experimental results obtained during the practical work, should be prepared at home. An examination will be set. 
Other information: Please wear a laboratory coat. If you do not have one, please contact Helmy so that one can be arranged for you. 
Learning material and literature: Will be provided during the course. Includes:
1.         Aggleton, J.P., et al., Lesions of the rat perirhinal cortex spare the acquisition of a complex configural visual discrimination yet impair object recognition. Behav Neurosci, 2010. 124 (1): p. 55-68.
2.         Alaverdashvili, M., H. Kubova, and P. Mares, Motor performance and behavior of immature rats are not compromised by a high dose of topiramate. Epilepsy Behav, 2005. 7 (2): p. 222-30.
3.         Scott, J.P., Agonistic behavior of mice and rats: a review. Am Zool, 1966. 6 (4): p. 683-701.
4.         Select chapters from: Whishaw, I. and B. Kolb, The Behavior of the Laboratory Rat: A Handbook With Tests . 2004: Oxford University Press.
5.         Select chapters from: Vogel, G., Drug discovery and evaluation . 2002: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Evalution: Assessment based on submitted report and examination. Grading scale 0-5.