Neuroscience

INTRODUCTION:

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and the networks of nerve cells throughout the body. Neuroscientists use tools ranging from computers to special dyes to examine molecules, nerve cells, networks, brain systems, and behavior. The focus of this course will be on the development, structure, and organization, as well as the physiology and behavior, of the human nervous system. This course is designed to give the student a thorough introduction to, and hands-on experience with, one of science's last and most daunting frontiers — the brain.

COURSE TOPICS AND FORMAT:

Neuroscience 740/750 includes both lectures and a hands-on laboratory experience. Lecture topics covered include cellular components, neural signaling: action potential and synapse, early brain development, the somatic sensory system, the motor system, special sensory systems, autonomic nervous system, hypothalamus, limbic system, and the cerebral cortex.

TEXTBOOK(S) AND OTHER MATERIALS:

The required textbook is Neuroscience, 3rd edition, Dale Purves et al. (eds.), Sinauer Associates, Inc., 2004. Every copy of this required textbook includes Sylvius 2.0: Fundamentals of Human Neural Structure, an interactive CD-ROM atlas of the human nervous system. Students enrolled in this course will be required to study certain aspects of the brain (surface anatomy, sectional anatomy, spinal cord and brain stem sections, pathways or animations) using this software. Handouts covering hands-on labs will be provided.

COURSE MEETING TIMES:

Neuroscience 740/750 meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:30 AM in the Fall semester.

COURSE DIRECTOR:

James R. Augustine, Ph.D.
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience
SOM Campus, Building 1, Room E7
Phone: 803 733-3377
E-mail:aug@med.sc.edu

BLACKBOARD WEBSITE:

Registered students in this course may receive more detailed class information by accessing the following link: http://blackboard.sc.edu.