Neurobiology of Learning & Memory
(PSC 137)
Lectures: MW 10:00 – 11:50, Wellman 230
Instructor: Dr. Brian Wiltgen
E-mail: bjwiltgen@ucdavis.edu
Office hours: by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Kyle Puhger
E-mail: krpuhger@ucdavis.edu
Office hours: Tues 10:00-12:00, Young 245
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: PSC 1, 41, 101 or consent of the instructor.
Course description: This course will examine the neural basis of learning and memory.
We will study brain systems that mediate different types of learning and memory as well
as the cellular and molecular mechanisms that allow these systems to acquire and store
information. The course will begin with a historical overview of learning and memory
research in psychology and transition into modern studies in behavioral neuroscience.
Topics will include memory consolidation, neural plasticity, cellular competition for
memory storage and mechanisms of retention and forgetting.
Required textbook: The Neurobiology of Learning & Memory 2nd edition by Jerry Rudy.
Available at the bookstore, the library and online.
Journal articles: posted on Canvas prior to lecture.
Exams: There will be three midterm exams and a comprehensive final. Each midterm is
worth 35 points and your lowest score will be dropped. The comprehensive final is worth
50 points. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. You need to show up within the first 15
minutes of each testing period or you will not be allowed to take the exam. No
exceptions!
Grading: Your final grade will be based on your two highest midterm scores (≈60%) and
your final exam score (≈40%). Final grades will be based on a standard scale and will
not be curved.
Academic integrity: Plagiarism and cheating will NOT be tolerated. If you are caught,
you will receive a zero on the exam or assignment and be reported to the Office of
Student Judicial Affairs. I encourage you to visit their website for a description of
plagiarism: http://sja.ucdavis.edu/files/plagiarism.
1
Class Schedule
Date
Section I: Memory and the hippocampus
April 2
Introduction and background
Ch.1
April 4
Human amnesia
Ch.15 and Damasio paper
April 9
Animal models of amnesia
Ch. 9 pages 161-173
April 11
Spatial learning and the hippocampus
Best paper
Video: Spatial memory
Section II: Cellular mechanisms of memory
April 16
Hippocampal plasticity
Ch. 2 (pp. 24-40) and Ch. 3 (pp. 46-54)
April 18
Exam 1
April 23
Hippocampal plasticity
Ch. 5 (83-92)
April 25
Hippocampal plasticity
Ch. 4 (65-66) Ch. 6 (113-116)
April 30
Memory formation
Ch. 10 (175-184 and 189-192)
May 2
Memory consolidation
Ch. 19 (379-383) and Ch. 11 (205-213)
May 7
Memory consolidation
Ch. 11 (216-218)
May 9
Exam 2
Section III: Systems consolidation
May 14
Memory reconsolidation
Ch. 14 (pp. 265-274 and 277-281)
May 16
Systems consolidation
Ch. 17 and Frankland paper
May 21
Systems consolidation continued
2
May 23
Multiple trace theory Ch. 17 (336-347)
May 28
No class - Memorial Day
Section IV: Modern tools to study memory
May 30
Manipulating memory cells
June 4
Creating false memories
June 6
Exam 3
June 11
Final exam 8:00am (in class)
3