NSCI 6150- Methods in Neuroscience
NSCI 6150- Methods in Neuroscience
Fall 2016 WF 2:00pm-3:50pm
Instructor: Dr. Sara M. Clark
Email:
Office: 1008D Stern
Office Hours: By Appointment
Required Text: None. Handouts, book chapters, and journal articles may be assigned via Blackboard as necessary.
Course Overview and Goals
This course exposes students to contemporary theories and techniques used by Tulane neuroscientists in their own research programs. Students will gain knowledge of techniques used to study the nervous system from all levels of inquiry ranging from the study of molecules and cells to animal behavior and recording of human brain activity. Students will demonstrate their proficiency in the subject by completing four written exams as well as a series of assignments.
Make-up Exams
Failure to take an exam at the scheduled day and time will result in a score of 0 (zero) on that exam. If a student misses a test for any valid reason, documentation must be provided (either written or via email) prior to the test. Makeups are not guaranteed to be similar in format to the test administered on the scheduled day. If a student misses more than one test, both with valid reasons, a cumulative makeup test at the end of the semester will be awarded, on a case-by-case basis. Again, this test may not be similar to the scheduled test and may follow any format, including non-written formats.
Honor Code:
All students are expected to be familiar with and are required to adhere to all tenets of the Honor Code of Tulane University.
Syllabus: (note: subject to change as required)
Date Title Note
8/31 (W) Introduction and OverviewAssignment #1
9/2 (F) Ethics Guest Lecturer- Dr. Wee
9/7 (W) Choosing an Animal ModelAssignment #1 Due
9/9 (F) Behavior
9/14 (W)Behavior
9/16 (F) Behavior Assignment #2
9/21 (W)Antibodies and Tissue PrepAssignment #2 Due
9/23 (F) Exam #1- Ethics through Behavior
9/28 (W) Immuno. and Microscopy
9/30 (F) Proteins
10/5 (W)ProteinsAssignment #3
10/7 (F) NO CLASS- BRAIN INSTITUTE- Go to Dr. Gage Lecture
10/12 (W)NO CLASS- YOM KIPPUR
10/14 (F) NO CLASS- FALL BREAK
10/19 (W) ElectrophysiologyGuest Lecturer- Grant Weiss
10/21 (F) Exam #2- Antibodies through ProteinsAssignment #3 Due
Date Title Note
10/26 (W) TBA
10/28 (F)Cell CultureGuest Lecturer- Dr. Rainville
11/2 (W) Viruses and Assorted Vectors
11/4 (F) Pharmacology, DREADS, RASSLsAssignment #4
11/9 (W)Hormone AssaysAssignment #4 Due
11/11 (F) Exam #3- TBA through Pharmacology
11/16 (W)Miscellaneous Assays
11/18 (F)Human Imaging
11/23 (W)NO CLASS- THANKSGIVING BREAK
11/25 (F) NO CLASS- THANKSGIVING BREAK
11/30 (W) Genome Methods/CRISPRGuest Lecturer- Dr. Westmoreland
12/2 (F) PCRs and RelatedGuest Lecturer- Dr. Earls
12/7 (W)EpigeneticsGuest Lecturer- Dr. Schrader
12/9 (F) TBAAssignment #5?
Exam IV (Assays through TBA), Monday, December 12 9am-noon
Course Requirements:
Attendance: Attendance at each class meeting is required. If you must miss class, please email Sara to let her know. Excessive unexcused absence (defined as missing three or more classes) may result in lowering of the grade by one letter.
Exams: There will be four exams. Each exam will account for 20% of the final grade. Exams are non-cumulative. The exam format is multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer questions.
Assignments: There will be 4-5 assignments given during the semester. Some assignments may be completed in class, but some may not. The assignments are all equally weighted and will together make up 15% of the final grade.
Ethics: Completion of an online ethics course and associated quiz(zes) is required for this course. This will also account for 5% of your final grade. More details will be provided in class.
Questions/Concerns:
Please make an appointment to see me. I will be happy to answer questions or talk about any concerns you might have. You can best reach me by email at: . My office is located in 1008D Stern, which is located in the basement of Stern off of the kitchen area.