A318
Course Coordinator: 
Kazumasa Tanaka
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory II
Description: 

In this course, we will go over fundamental issues in neural mechanisms of learning and memory, with a focus on memory. In addition to lecture sessions, we will have a journal club and a study section. In the first week of the course, the instructor will list papers for the journal club. Each student chooses one of them and discusses it during the later session. In the study section, students will practice writing a research proposal (as a format of grant) and how to score proposals. The instruction will be provided in the first session.

Aim: 
Through the course, students will have fundamental knowledge in memory studies and experience flavors of both critical/productive thinking when reading papers.
Course Content: 
  1. Introduction and goals of this course
    1. (short quizzes)
  2. Synapse and memory
    1. (short quizzes)
  3. Approaches in memory studies
  4. Linking synaptic plasticity and memory 1
    1. (short quizzes)
  5. Linking synaptic plasticity and memory 2
    1. (short quizzes)
  6. Journal Club
    1. Each student chooses a paper for discussion in the class. A list of papers will be given.
  7. Systems consolidation
    1. (short quizzes)
  8. Anatomy of the Hippocampus and surrounding areas
    1. (short quizzes)
  9. Adult neurogenesis (taught by Viviane Saito)
    1. (short quizzes)
  10. Hippocampal physiology 1
    1. (short quizzes)
  11. Hippocampal physiology 2
    1. (short quizzes)
  12. Study Section
    1. Discuss and score research proposals
  13. Final exam
Course Type: 
Elective
Credits: 
2
Assessment: 
short answer quizzes during term (40%), performance during journal club (10%), performance in research proposal/study section (10% /10%), and final exam (30%)
Text Book: 
    Reference Book: 
    • The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (3rd edition) by Jerry W. Rudy
    • The Hippocampus Book by Per Andersen, Richard Morris, David Amaral, Tim Bliss & John O’Keefe
    Prior Knowledge: 
    Students interested in memory and have basic knowledge of neuroscience.
    Notes: