APPLIED SYSTEMS NEUROSCIECE
APSC 432/632, Spring 2005
Classroom: Millington Hall #119
Meeting times: Tues/Thur 8:00 - 9:20 AM

INSTRUCTOR
Christopher A. Del Negro, Ph.D.
Office: McGlothlin-Street Hall #303
Lab: McGlothlin-Street Hall #318
Phone: 757-221-7808
e-mail: cadeln@wm.edu

COURSE CONTENT
We will examine how behaviors arise due to multiple levels of organization in the central nervous system. Topics include: neural excitability and its modulation by endogenous neuromessengers, small networks underlying reflexes, central pattern generators for locomotor behaviors in a variety of species, neural control of breathing, control of appetite, body weight, and obesity, as well as the neurophysiology and pharmacology of nicotine addiction.

TEXTS

  • Hille, B. Ion channels of excitable membranes, 3rd edition. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer, 2001. (Required)
  • Kaczmarek, L.K. and Levitan, I.B. Neuromodulation: the biochemical control of neuronal excitability, 3rd edition. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer, 2001. (Required)
  • Fain, G. Molecular and cellular physiology of neurons. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999. (Recommended)
  • Course readings to be distributed in class or via the website on a topic-to-topic basis.

    • PREREQUISITES
    BIO 345 (Neurobiology)
    BIO 447 (Neurophysiology)
    PSY 313 (Functional Neuroanatomy)
    Permission of instructor

    EXPECTATIONS
    Class attendance is expected, but will not be monitored. Reading material will often come from the primary research literature, which is technically challenging. I will be available by telephone, email, or office visits to assist you in understanding the class material. Regular homework assignments will be collected and scored based on effort and participation. The College Honor Code must be upheld in all class-related activities; violations and violators will not be tolerated.

    GRADING
    There will be one mid-term exam (30%), a final exam (50%), and four homework assignments (20%). Tests are open book, open notes. Final letter grades will be assigned according to the scale below:

    A 94.0 - 100
    A- 90.0 - 93.9
    B+ 87.0 - 89.9
    B 84.0 - 86.9
    B- 80.0 - 83.9
    C+ 77.0 - 79.9
    C 74.0 - 76.9
    C- 70.0 - 73.9
    D 64.0 - 66.9
    D- 60.0 - 63.9
    F 59.9 and below
    Del Negro Homepage - Applied Science - The College of William and Mary