Course Descriptions
SUNY Upstate offers many courses through the College of Graduate Studies. The
courses offered, course descriptions, and the course requirements for Ph.D. be accessed
from the College of Graduate Studies Home Page.
For further detail, view the College of Graduate Studies 2006-2007 Course Selection
Book  text
Listed below are courses
that are especially relevant to students interested in Neuroscience:
GS 606-9 — Foundations of Biomedical Science sequence
This section runs concurrently with the Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Cell Physiology & Neurobiology
sections and introduces experimental approaches and equipment that are currently
used in biomedical sciences. |
GS612 — Biomedical Sciences Laboratory
This is a special research training program designed to acquaint students with
areas of research and/or the use of methods, techniques, and instrumentation.
Course Description: Three different research laboratory rotations
are required for all first-year PhD students. Rotations begin approximately
October 2, January 3, and March 26 (in three different research laboratories). An
optional Fourth rotation in the summer may be taken. Written report due to
Advisor at the end of each rotation [Students may petition Advisory Committee to
be exempt from the 3rd rotation, under very special circumstances]. |
GS604 — Graduate Student Research Opportunities
Course required for all first-year graduate students
Course Description: With one full afternoon per program, each
of the six Ph.D. training programs will describe its currently active research
projects. This description will be presented in a format which the program’s
faculty feels best displays all its research activities. Two major goals of these
presentations are to:
- Acquaint the incoming graduate students with the breadth
of research being pursued at the student’s further information upon which
to base their own choice of research area for their dissertations.
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N507 — Introduction to Neuroscience
Course Description: The Systems Neuroscience course will
consist of components of the Brain and Behavior course given to first year medical
students.
These components will include the study of systems of neuroscience, including
sensory, motor, limbic systems, sleep and awakening, and basic cognitive processing. A
total of 29 lectures with 2 essay examinations are included. The summer
session will be a combination of video presentations and live tutorials. |
N601 — Neuroscience
Course Description: Detailed analysis of the anatomy, physiology,
and chemistry of the nervous system and behaviors that it mediates. Topics
include: neurons and electrochemical properties of neurons, sensory and motor systems,
homeostasis, sleep, consciousness, learning, and memory. |
N602 — Principles of Membrane Excitability
Course Description: This Course will follow the organization
of Bertil Hile’s book in discussing the key concepts of ion channel function
including voltage-dependents activation, inactivation current rectification, conductance,
selective permeability, mechanisms of block, and protein structure. The course
will begin with the Hodgkin-Huxley model for nerve excitability and develop the
key principles of electrodiffusion and ion permeation through a variety of physiologically
relevant channel proteins. The most recent information regarding channel
structure and function will be presented during the course. The instructors
will provide supplemental materials to the textbook in the form of related journal
articles or lecture notes as required. All instructors and participating
students will lead in-class discussions of selected topics. |
N603 — Topics in Signaling in the Autonomic and Central Nervous Systems
Course Description: This advanced course will cover 2-3 topics
in receptors and cell signaling: for example GZprotein-coupled receptors, integrins
and cell adhesion, neuromuscular junction and Ach receptors, scaffolding proteins. Topics
will be covered by a combination of graduate student-specific lectures and tutorials,
based on current research papers and associated reviews. Each topic will also include
a take-home essay type examination. This Course covers the essential features
of the autonomic nervous system in humans, and agents that modify this system,
including therapeutic and recreational drugs and toxic agents. The course
will be composed of a combination of graduate students-specific lectures and tutorials
together with selected lectures from the Medical School Pharmacology course (50PHA). |
N610 — Topics in Developmental Neurobiology
Course Description: This course is a half semester course,
eights weeks in length, and will run in the second half of the spring semester. Two
two-hour sessions will be scheduled per week. This is primarily a reading
course. Students will meet with the faculty twice per week to discuss questions
or issues presented by the student. There will be a written exam at the end
of the course.
This course will provide extensive, yet selective, exposure to major issues and
events in the development of the nervous system. Topics include: Axis determination
and early patterning, Developmental signals and gene regulation, Cell generation/proliferation,
Cell migration and guidance, Cell death, Synaptogenesis, and Plasticity. |
N613 — Sensory Integration
Course Description: Focuses on the organization and function
of sensory and neuromuscular systems emphasizing peripheral parts of the nervous
system. |
N614 — Motor and Cognitive Function
Course Description: Focuses on organization and function
of central pathways of the nervous system. Topics include learning, memory,
emotion and consciousness. |
N615 — Psychophysical Methods and Theory
Course Description: Psychophysics is the study of the
relationship between stimulus parameters and sensation. It has its roots
in the mid 1800’s especially with the work of E.H. Weber and G.T. Fechner,
and in the work of S.S. Stevens. The course is designed to give a broad background
of psychophysical theory and methods as they are applied to the study of the nervous
system. The text will be supplemented with original literature. |
N616 — Topics in Vision I
Course Description: The course will examine neuroanatomical,
electrophysiological aspects of vision. This is primarily a reading course,
with emphasis on original literature. It is particularly appropriate for
graduate students intending to conduct original research in the visual system. This
first half will focus on visual mechanisms at the level of the retina, and will
be offered on odd numbered years.
Course Format: The course will largely consist of discussion
sessions covering extensive readings of original scientific literature. Grades
will be based on class participation. |
N617 — Methods of Neuroscience Research
Course Description: Methods of research used by the faculty
are demonstrated. Problem design and research methods are emphasized. Course
deals with individualized laboratory experience. Topics agreed upon by student
and faculty sponsor. |
N618 — Topics in Vision II
Course Description: The course will examine neuroanatomical,
electrophysiological, and psychophysical aspects of vision. This is primarily
a readings course, with emphasis on original literature. It is particularly
appropriate for graduate students intending to conduct original research in the
visual system. This second half will focus on visual mechanisms beyond
the level of the retina, focusing on the cortical contributions to visual processing
and visually-guided behavior.
Course Format: The course will largely consist of discussion
sessions covering extensive readings of original scientific literature. Grades
will be based on class participation. |
N619 — Neurobiology of Disease
Course Description: Neurobiology of Disease will meet
twice per week, Mondays and Fridays, 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Each meeting will
focus on one disease where some of the molecular underpinnings are understood (e.g.
Alzheimer’s Disease). The first hour of class will be led by a research scientist
or physician with expertise in the basic biology of the disease. The class
will discuss one review article and important research papers on the molecular
mechanism of the disease. The second hour of class will be conducted by a
clinician and the students will be introduced to the clinical dimensions of the
disease. There will be one midterm and final exam. |
N620 — Advanced topics in Receptors and Cell Signaling
Course Description: This advanced course will cover 2-3 topics
in receptors and cell signaling; for example, G-protein-coupled receptors, integrins
and cell adhesion, neuromuscular junction and Ach receptors, glutamate receptor
signaling and LTP, CDKs with emphasis on the neural-specific CDK5, ras signaling
and tyrosine kinase-linked receptors, scaffolding proteins, Topics will be covered
by a combination of graduate student-specific lectures and tutorials, based on
current research papers and associated reviews. Each topic will also include
a take-home type examination. Although it is not required, it is highly recommended
that this course be taken in sequence with 619PHA-Autonomic Pharmacology. A
minimum of 2 students must register for this course to be offered. |
N621 — Neuroanatomy Lab
Course Description: This course will provide students
the opportunity to dissect the human brain and gain an appreciation for three-dimensional
organization in the central nervous system |
N653 — Topics in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Course Description: This course will discuss major issues
in Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, emphasizing contemporary approaches. |
N654 — Topics in Sensory Systems
Course Description: This course will examine neuroanatomical,
electrophysiological, and psychophysical aspects of a particular sensory system,
e.g., vision, audition, touch, pain, and olfaction.
This is primarily a readings course, with emphasis on original literature. Students
will meet with one or more of the instructors to discuss questions or issues presented
by the student. A set of questions and objectives will be distributed at
the beginning of the course to help focus the students as they progress through
the course. There will be written essay exams during the course, which will
be based on the readings and course objectives. |
N675 — Research Rotations in Neuroscience
Course Description: Methods of research used by the faculty are
demonstrated. Problem design and research methods emphasized.
The course deals with individualized laboratory experience. Topics agreed
upon by student and faculty sponsor. |
N700 — Research in Neuroscience
Course Description: Original dissertation research in
Neuroscience under supervision of a Neuroscience faculty member and monitored by
an advisory committee. |
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