Neurobiology I

Introduction to the structure and functional principles underlying brain function. This includes the basic electrical properties of biological membranes, the structure and function of single neurons (dendrites, axons, synapses) and neuronal networks, the generation and exchange of action potentials, the interactions of neurons within and between neuronal networks, and functional aspects of neural information processing, neural coding and neural computation. Two dedicated blocks of lectures will emphasize the physiology and molecular biology of synaptic plasticity and learning (F. Metzger) and genetic principles underlying learning and behavior (K-F Fischbach).

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This lecture forms part of the lecture series "Introduction to Neurobiology", consisting of four different lectures: I: Membranes, Neurons, Networks and Brains; II: Systems Neurophysiology; III: Measurements and Models; IV: Systems and Signals. This entire series is offered on a yearly basis: lectures I and III during the Winter Semester, lectures II and IV during the Sommer Semester. Lectures I and II focus on biological and computational aspects of modern brain science, lectures III and IV on methodological aspects of experimentation, data analysis and model building. Lecture I is a prerequisiste for lecture II, which covers brain function at a system's level. Lectures III and IV are accompanied by exercises, elaborating the concepts and methods introduced in the lectures.

Literature: Nicholls JG, Martin AR, Wallace BG, Fuchs, PA (2001) From Neuron to Brain. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland MA. (4th ed)
Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM (2000) Principles of Neural Science. McGraw-Hill (4th ed)