CELL/NSCI 3315 Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory Spring 2016
Course Instructor: Sara Clark, PhD
Email:
Teaching Assistant: TBA
Time/ Location: Stern 1003
Tuesday 12:30-3:30or Thursday 2-4:50 p.m.
Office hours: By appointment (1008D Stern)
Prerequisite: Pre-requisite: NSCI/CELL 3310.
Goals and Objectives: This is an interactive lab class for giving students hands-on experience working with techniques to study cellular neuroscience. In the first segment of the lab, we will behavioral testing using snails as a model organism. Then, we will explore the rodent brain using Cresyl violet staining, Golgi staining, and microscopy. Students will examine protein expression with immunocytochemistry in a neuronal cell line. Later in the semester, students will conduct extracellular and intracellular electrophysiology recordings from Helisoma and Lymnaea snails. Each week’s exercise will involve behavioral or physiological manipulations to teach the basics of electrophysiology and to explore the function of different cells in the snail nervous system. At the end of the semester, students should have an understanding of neuron function, brain organization, animal behavior, and the techniques used to explore these topics.
The schedule is open to modification as the semester progresses.
Method of instruction: The theory behind each laboratory will be explained before each lab. Lab coordinator will guide the students through every lab. Students are expected to attend and complete every lab with every student participating in some aspect or all aspects of the laboratory.
Grading scheme
Quiz #1 10%
Quiz #2 10%
Notebook #125%
Notebook #225%
Notebook #325%
Attendance/
Participation5%
Final letter grades will be assigned using a + and – system. Decimals will be rounded up according to the rules of math.
A93-100
A-90-92
B+86-89
B83-85
B-80-82
And so on.
Procedures consistent with the Tulane University Honor Code will be followed. Violations of this code will not be tolerated. Students may obtain copies of the honor code from their dean's office or from this website:
Quiz #1: Rodent Brain and Immunocytochemistry
Quiz #2: Fundamental concepts of electrophysiology
Lab Notebook:
Notebooks are due at the beginning of class. Any notebooks turned in after this time, but on the same day, will be subject to an automatic 5% reduction in grade. Notebooks that are turned in after 9am the day after they are due, are subject to an automatic 20% reduction in grade. Notebooks will not be accepted if they are more than 3 days late.
The lab notebook will be in a 3-ring binder. Please label the front of the binder with your name and section. A table of contents needs to be included. All pages in the notebook should be labeled with their respective page numbers.
Each lab will require a one-page lab report. The report should be using Arial 11pt font and 1.5 line-spacing. Report should cover the main topics of the lab, experimental design if appropriate, what was learned, and any other relevant information regarding that lab. In addition, some labs may have additional handouts that should be completed and placed in the notebook as well.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. One excused absence may be allowed if there is justification and the lab instructor is contacted beforehand. Any additional absences will result in a grade reductions.
Week OfTopicWhat is Due
August 29, 2016Organizational Meeting/Safety
September 5, 2016Intro to Brain Organization
September 12,2016Cresyl Violet and Spines
September 19, 2016Immunocytochemistry
September 26,2016Immunocytochemistry Imaging
October 3, 2016TBAQuiz #1; Notebook #1
October 10, 2016NO CLASS- FALL BREAK
October 17, 2016Snail Behavior
October 24, 2016Snail Behavior
October 31, 2016 Intro to Electrophysiology/Snails
November 7,2016Snail ElectrophysiologyNotebook #2; Quiz #2
November 14, 2016Snail Electrophysiology
November 21 2016NO CLASS- THANKSGIVING
November 28, 2016Snail Electrophysiology
December 5, 2016 Make-up/ Student’s Choice
Final Lab Notebook Due: Monday, December 12
Turn-in notebook in 1003 Stern between the hours of 8am and 2pm
Any notebook turned in after 2pm will be considered late