Learning outcomes

The neuroscience course is a 45-hour course given in co-teaching with Professor De Backer. Neuroscience is studied at all levels: molecular, cellular, cerebral, psychological and social. It includes 15 hours of systemic neuroscience (brain, psychological and social level) aimed at acquiring different knowledge on systemic psychobiology, mainly but not exclusively applied to humans.

Goals

Students will be able to describe and locate central nervous system structures covered in anatomy, neuroanatomy, physiology or neurophysiology, as 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 support the student's learning of the general principles governing the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems in humans.

Examples include ionic and molecular signaling mechanisms, cellular mechanisms, genetic or pharmacological modifications, electrical signals, and their consequences on communication within brain structures, motricity, cognition and affect, all of which will be covered in varying proportions depending on the topic.

 

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 notions involved at the level of the neuron, the synapse and the neuroglia. A second part devoted to perception describes the different sensory systems, from the receptors to the central projections. The way in which the brain selects, organises and interprets sensations in order to transform them into meaningful perceptions is then described. For the systemic neuroscience part, the course will address, among other things, the beginnings of brain development, the construction of neural circuits, the modifications of brain circuits under the effect of The course will also cover the repair and regeneration of the nervous system. With regard to complex brain functions, the course will address associative cortical areas, language and speech, sleep and wakefulness, the vegetative system, pain processing, emotions, sex and sexuality, and human memory.

Assessment method

For Professor De Backer's part: oral exam with written preparation. For the part of Professor Desseilles: oral examination, without preparation, on the whole of the distance and face-to-face courses, if necessary, a written examination Short Open Questions (SOQ), Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), or Open Questions (OQ) may be organised.

Where appropriate, exercises (homework and workshops) and the creation of a portfolio may be the subject of an intermediate graded assessment to be included in the grade for one of the two parts of the course.

The student is expected to pass both 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 met. There is no carry-over of partial marks from one academic year to the next. Teachers may allow a partial grade to be carried over from one term to the next. Adaptation of evaluation methods The exact modalities of the evaluation are subject to change when the examination timetable is drawn up, depending on the practical constraints that the faculty administration may face, or in the event of illness/force majeure/emergency with a placement, preventing the student from taking the examination on the date initially planned, or because of the health situation related to the coronavirus. If this is the case, the teacher will inform the students of the assessment procedures via WebCampus.

Sources, references and any support material

Purves et al, Neuroscience, Boeck superieur (course book for Prof Desseilles's Part)

Pinel, J. Biopsychologie. Pearson Education France, Paris.

Barker et al, Neuroanatomy and neuroscience, deboeck superieur.

Kolb et al, Cerveau et Comportement, deboeck superieur.

Course recordings, possibly edited in video form.

Course slides.

Course summary.

Exercises.

Language of instruction

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