BISC 421
Fall 2008
Title: Neurobiology
When and Where:
Lectures: MWF, 11:00 - 11:50, SAL 101
Discussion Group A: M, 2:00 - 3:50, ZHS 360
Discussion Group B: T, 10:00 - 11:50, ZHS 360
Discussion Group C: W, 2:00 - 3:50, ZHS 360
Discussion Group D: Th, 10:00 - 11:50, ZHS 360
Discussion Group E: Th, 2:00 - 3:50, VKC 158
Discussion Group F: F, 2:00 - 3:50, VKC 158
Instructors:
Arshad Khan, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor
Biological Sciences
HNB 414
0-9099
arshadk@usc.edu
(email contact is preferred)
Teaching Assistants:
T.B.D.
Office Hours:
T.B.D.
Emily Liman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Biological Sciences
HNB 301
1-1454
liman@usc.edu
David D. McKemy, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences
HNB 228
1-5724
mckemy@usc.edu
Purpose: According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, neuroscience is defined as a branch of the life sciences
that deals with the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, or molecular biology of nerves and nervous tissue and
especially with their relation to behavior and learning. [Yawn!!] Neuroscience is nothing less than the field of
study that attempts to understand how and why you are you. This course is designed to assist you in
understanding how a small collection of cells early in development gives rise to something as complex as the
brain, how individual cells process and transmit information, how these neurons organize to form the functional
circuits that make up your sensory and motor systems, and how these systems define how you perceive the world
around you and how you respond to it.
Grading: There are 2 midterm exams and one final. Half of the final exam will focus on the last module and the
other half is cumulative for all three modules. The point distribution is: 100 pts for each midterm, 150 pts for the
final, and 100 pts for discussion group (450 pts total). The grade for the discussion group will likely involve
homework problems, brief oral presentations, and writing assignments and will be determined by the TA. More
detailed information will be made available at the first Discussion Group meeting. Students who are unable to
take an exam at the schedule time must talk with the faculty giving the exam as soon as possible. If the student
has a valid, documented reason for missing the exam, an adjustment will be made to compensate for the missed
exam. No make up exams will be given.
Course Material: Course materials (syllabus, readings, lecture figures, etc.) will be available on Blackboard.
https://blackboard.usc.edu Develop the habit of checking Blackboard. Many important announcements will
appear first on Blackboard, and often the most interesting and helpful discussions occur on the Discussion
Boards.
Text: Neuroscience, 4th Edition. Purves et al., editors. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland MA, 2004 or 2007.
Students with Disabilities: Students requesting academic accommodations based on a disability are required to
register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP when adequate documentation is filed. Please be sure the letter is
delivered to one of the instructors as early in the semester as possible. Disability Services and Programs is
located in Student Union 301 and their phone number is (213) 740-0776.
Class Schedule
Topic
Lecturer
4th ed.
Module I:
Week 1:
08.25
08.27
& TBD
08.29
Overview of Neuroscience and the Course
Cell Biology of the Neuron
All instructors
McKemy
Ch.1, pp 1-11
Genetic Methods in Neuroscience
McKemy
TBD
Week 2:
09.01
09.03
09.05
No Class--Labor Day Holiday
The Membrane Potential
The Action Potential
McKemy
McKemy
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Week 3:
09.08
09.10
09.12
Ion Channels
Structure and Diseases of Ion Channels
Synaptic Transmission
McKemy
McKemy
McKemy
Ch. 4 -61-70
70-77
Ch. 5
Week 4:
09.15
09.17
09.19
Neurotransmitter Receptors
Neurotransmitters, Synthesis and Reuptake
Intracellular Signal Transduction
McKemy
McKemy
McKemy
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Week 5:
09.22
09.24
Learning
Synaptic plasticity
McKemy
McKemy
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
End of Material for Module I
09.26
Gross Anatomy
Khan
pp. 11-26, App.
Module II:
Week 6:
09.29
10.01
10.03
Motor: Overview, Cortex
Exam on Module I
Motor: Basal Ganglia
Khan
McKemy
Khan
Ch. 16, Ch. 17
Week 7:
10.06
10.08
10.10
Motor: Cerebellum
Motor: Eye Movements
Visceral Motor Systems
Khan
Khan
Khan
Ch. 19
Ch. 20
Ch. 21
Week 8:
10.13
10.15
Visual System I: The Eye and Photoreception
Visual System II: Early Visual Pathway
Khan
Khan
Ch. 11, pp 253-27
Ch. 11&12, pp 277-96
Ch. 18
10.17
Visual System III: Higher Cortical Processing
Khan
Ch. 12, pp 297-311
Week 9:
10.20
10.22
10.24
Peripheral Auditory System
Central Auditory System
Vestibular System
Khan
Khan
Khan
Ch. 13, pp 313-332
Ch. 13, pp 232-342
Ch. 14
Experience-Dependent Plasticity
Somatosensation
Exam on Module II
Khan
Liman
Khan
Ch.24
Ch. 9
Nociception
Chemical Senses-olfaction
Chemical Senses- Taste
Liman
Liman
Liman
Ch.10
Ch 15
Ch 15
11.10
11.12
11.14
Construction of Neural Cicuits I
Construction of Neural Cicuits II
Injury and Aging
Liman
Liman
Liman
Ch. 23
Ch. 23
Ch. 25
Week 13:
11.17
11.19
11.21
History of Neuroscience Video
Speech and Language
Rhythm and Sleep
Liman
Liman
Ch 27
Ch. 28
Week 14:
11.24
11.26
11.28
Emotion
No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday
No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday
Liman
Ch. 29
Week 15:
12.01
12.03
12.05
Sex and sexuality
Attention and Memory
Mental Illness
Liman
Liman
Liman
Ch. 30
Ch. 26, 31
Handout
End of Material for Module II
Week 10:
10.27
10.29
10.31
Week 11:
11.03
11.05
11.07
Week 12:
Finals Week:
Exam from 11 am - 1 pm
Liman (+Khan and McKemy)