NST IB Neurobiology

Neurobiology is the result of an interdepartmental collaboration between four biological departments:

  • Experimental Psychology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology, Development & Neuroscience
  • Zoology

The course aims to provide a unified approach to the teaching of neurobiology at second year level.

Timetable

There are three lectures each week, on Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday, at 12 noon, delivered in the Pharmacology Lecture Theatre 3. The timetable can be viewed here. Note that there are a few deviations from the standard timetable.

In addition there are practical classes each week, organized as one session of 3 hours (on either Thursday or Tuesday afternoon, 2–5 pm). You should have been allocated to one each of these sessions at the NST IB registration; if not, please contact Mrs Anita Shelley in the Histology Classroom (Physiology Building, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience).

Lectures

The lecture course begins at the cellular and molecular level with the electrical and chemical properties of individual neurons. It next examines in turn the major sensory systems: hearing, vision, olfaction and taste, and somatosensation and pain. The motor system is then explored in detail, including a systems approach to sensorimotor integration, followed by lectures on the development of the nervous system: the origins of neuronal types and neuronal architecture, and the way that connections between neurons develop and are regulated.  Attention then turns to mechanisms of motivation and emotion. The Lent term ends with consideration of synaptic modification and its role in maturation of the nervous system, response to injury and memory. The Easter term lectures are devoted to language, learning, memory and higher functions of the nervous system.

Practical classes

A wide range of experimental techniques and approaches will be explored in the practical classes including: neural activity in frog nerve and synapse, and in cockroach sensory nerves; computer simulation of neural activity; neural development in zebrafish and nematode model systems; sensory and motor function; brain anatomy and histology; brain imaging; and neuropsychological assessment.  One aim of the practical classes is to provide hands-on experience of a variety of the experimental techniques that are used in modern neurobiology: from microscopy, through single-neuron recordings, to stimulation and extra­cellular recordings from your own nerves and muscles, and finally to psychophysical measurements of human sensory and cognitive performance.
 
Many of the practical classes will be held in either the Experimental Class­room or the Histology Classroom in the Physiology Building, but a number will be held in classrooms in other departments, where the appropriate apparatus is available.

Detailed information is available for staff and current students on CamTools including the course handbook, lecture and practical timetables, lecture handouts and the practical books.

Examination (NB - IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION JANUARY 2012)

Paper 2 of the Tripos examination no longer comprises multiple choice questions but consists of 20 compulsory short answer questions. Details may be found on the 1B Neurobiology CamTools site.