Learning outcomes

The neuroscience course is a 45-hour course taught jointly with Professor De Backer and Professor Desseilles.
 
Neuroscience is studied at all levels: molecular, cellular, cerebral, psychological and social.
 
It includes 15 hours of systemic neuroscience (cerebral, psychological and social levels) aimed at acquiring different knowledge of systemic psychobiology, mainly but not exclusively applied to humans, and 30 hours of fundamental neuroscience.

Goals

The student will be able to describe and locate the structures making up the central nervous system covered in anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology or neurophysiology, if appropriate. They will be able to understand how these structures function and integrate them into the anatomical pathways that regulate sensory, motor, vegetative and higher functions.
 
The course will help students to learn the general principles governing the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems in humans.
 
Examples include the ionic and molecular mechanisms of signals, cellular mechanisms, genetic or pharmacological modifications, electrical signals, and their consequences on communication within cerebral structures, motricity, cognition and affect will be covered in varying proportions depending on the subject.

Content

Neuroscience is studied at all levels: molecular, cellular, cerebral, psychological and social in order to better understand the processes underlying behaviour, emotions and cognition in animals and humans.
 
An introduction recalls some recent concepts at the level of the neuron, the synapse and the neuroglia. A second section on perception describes the different sensory systems, from receptors to central projections. It then describes how the brain selects, organises and interprets sensations in order to transform them into meaningful perceptions.
 
For the systemic neuroscience part, the course will cover, among other things, the beginnings of brain development, the construction of neural circuits, changes in brain circuits as a result of experience, and the repair and regeneration of the nervous system. With regard to complex brain functions, the course will cover associative cortical areas, language and speech, sleep and wakefulness, the vegetative system, pain processing, emotions, sex and sexuality, and human memory.

Table of contents

Neuroscience is studied at all levels: molecular, cellular, cerebral, psychological and social in order to better understand the processes underlying behaviour, emotions and cognition in animals and humans.
 
An introduction recalls some recent concepts at the level of the neuron, the synapse and the neuroglia. A second section on perception describes the different sensory systems, from receptors to central projections. It then describes how the brain selects, organises and interprets sensations in order to transform them into meaningful perceptions.
 
For the systemic neuroscience part, the course will cover, among other things, the beginnings of brain development, the construction of neural circuits, changes in brain circuits as a result of experience, and the repair and regeneration of the nervous system. With regard to complex brain functions, the course will cover associative cortical areas, language and speech, sleep and wakefulness, the vegetative system, pain processing, emotions, sex and sexuality, and human memory.

Exercices

Students may be given exercises in the form of self-assessment in the context of an assignment on the material covered on site or at a distance, or in the form of homework or workshops.

Teaching methods

Teaching based on pedagogical innovation, which may include distance learning in the form of video or live lessons, face-to-face teaching incorporating learning from distance learning, for example in the form of a flipped classroom, homework, workshops and a portfolio. Exercises, a course book, a reference book, a summary and slides are available on webcampus. Where appropriate, off-campus classes will be held.
 
 
 
This course can only be taken the year following the general psychology course and the year preceding the first master's degree in biomedical sciences. Anticipation of this course is not recommended for pedagogical reasons.

 

Assessment method

For the part taught by Professor De Backer: multiple-choice questionnaire on the material covered in the ex-cathedra lessons. For the part taught by Professor Desseilles: oral examination, without preparation, covering the entire course (distance or face-to-face); if necessary, a written examination in Short Open Questions (SOQ), Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) or Open Questions (OQ) may be organised.
 
Where appropriate, exercises (homework and workshops), as well as the completion of a portfolio, may be the subject of an intermediate graded assessment to be included, where appropriate, in the mark for one of the two parts of the course.
 
Students are expected to pass each of the two parts of the course in order to be awarded an overall pass. The teachers will discuss the student's performance together and decide whether the objectives have been achieved. Partial marks cannot be carried over from one academic year to the next. Teachers may authorise a partial mark to be carried over from one session to the next.

Sources, references and any support material

Course book Partim professeur Desseilles: Purves et al, Neurosciences, Boeck superieur
 
Pinel, J. Biopsychologie. Pearson Education France, Paris.
 
Barker et al, Neuroanatomie et neurosciences, deboeck superieur.
 
Kolb et al, Cerveau et Comportement, deboeck superieur.
 
Course recordings, possibly in video form.
 
Course slides.
 
Course summaries.
 
Exercises. 

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences Standard 0 4
Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences Standard 3 4