Biomedical Neuroscience Training Program
Course Listing

Anatomy and Cell Biology

403. Human Neuroanatomy. 3 Hours. Morphological organization of the nervous system. Functional correlations of neural structures. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

520. Concepts of Synaptic Function and Morphology. 2 Hours. Overview of current and classical methods employed in the study of synapses. A review of some of the most interesting aspects of synaptic function, such as sources of synaptic vesicles, synaptic patterns, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic specificity. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

521. Plasticity in the Nervous System. 2 Hours. Neural plasticity is the ability to adaptively modify neural structure or function. Topics range from developmental plasticity to aging, including response to injury and neurodegenerative diseases, trophic factors, learning and memory, and neural transplantation. Prerequisite: Anat 403 or consent of the instructor.

526. Advanced Topics in Neuroanatomy. 2 Hours. Selected topics in neuroanatomy are reviewed and updated in terms of changing research methodology and newly emerging concepts in neurobiology.

527. Cellular and Systems Neurobiology. 3 Hours. Molecular and cellular properties of ion channels in neurons and sensory cells and their relationship to brain and sensory systems. Prerequisite: Credit in one neuroscience course or consent of the instructor.

528. Chemical and Molecular Neuroanatomy. 3 Hours. Substantive reviews on topics in molecular neurobiology are presented. Each lecture focuses on the application of data and techniques to the understanding of neural function within intact neuroanatomical systems. Prerequisite: Anat 403 or consent of the instructor.

554. Neuroendocrinology. 2 Hours. Survey of neuroendocrine integration including neuroendocrine regulation of development, homeostasis, reproduction, and behavior. The hypothalamohypophyseal axis receives special attention from both morphologic and functional viewpoints. Prerequisite: Anat 403 or the equivalent.

555. Sensory Motor Systems. 2 Hours. Introductory and in-depth review of the current original literature covering ensembles of movement generated by CNS intrinsic and/or externally acquired sensory signals. Prerequisite: Anat 403 and PhyB 402 or the equivalent courses, or consent of the instructor.

585. Cell Biology. 4 Hours. Same as PhyB 585 and MIm 585. Functional and structural organization of the cell with emphasis on the cellular basis of physiological activity.

Biochemistry

460. Biochemistry. 5 Hours. Intended primarily for first-year graduate students. Discussions of chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Also includes elements of enzymology. Prerequisite: Organic chemistry.

561. Biochemistry of Cellular Regulation. 3 Hours. Membrane structure and function, transport, receptor and signal transduction mechanisms and growth factors. Cytoskeleton and motility, cell-cell communication, enzyme cascades and cellular control mechanisms. Prerequisite: Bche 460.

562. Gene Structure and Function. 3 Hours. DNA organization and gene structure, transcription and translational control of gene expression. Emphasis given to the regulation of gene expression in selected developmental systems. Prerequisite: Bche 460 or consent of the instructor.

Bioengineering

475. Models of the Nervous System. 4 Hours. Mathematical models of neural excitation and nerve conduction, stochastic models and simulation of neuronal activity, models of neuron pools and information processing, models of specific neural networks. Prerequisites: EECS 310 and either BioS 442 or 443.

Biological Sciences

422. Cell and Molecular Biology. 3 Hours. The assembly, regulation, and properties of cell components and how they interact during secretion, signal transduction, mitosis, and motility. Emphasis on understanding and interpreting experimental methods. Prerequisite: BioS 220 or the equivalent, or consent of the instructor.

426. Ultrastructural Cell Biology. 3 Hours. Structure and function of the differentiated, eukaryotic cell; emphasis on electron microscopic studies of cells in vertebrate tissues. Prerequisites: Two years of biological sciences and one year of chemistry required. Chem 232 is highly recommended.

428. Electron Microscopy. 3 Hours. Lectures, demonstrations, and discussions of the principles of instrumentation, and specimen preparation of biological material for transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Prerequisites: BioS 222 and 426.

443. Animal Physiological Systems. 4 Hours. Animals used in instruction. Basic function of renal, respiratory, and digestive systems. Integrative role of endocrine systems. Prerequisite: Two years of biological sciences. Credit in BioS 442 is recommended.

486. Animal Behavior and Neuroethology. 4 Hours. Animals used in instruction. Neural and behavioral mechanisms of environmental information processing and interaction throughout the animal kingdom; emphasis on invertebrate and lower vertebrates. Laboratory emphasizing individual research projects with a final report, and occasional field trips required. Prerequisite: One advanced course in zoology and animal physiology.

487. Developmental Neurobiology. 3 Hours. Mechanisms contributing to the development of structural and functional components of the nervous system; emphasis on cellular interactions. Prerequisite: BioS 225 or 420.

488. Developmental Neurogenetics. 3 Hours. Classical and molecular genetic approaches to the study of the development of the nervous system, concentrating on studies in fruit flies, nematodes and vertebrates. Prerequisites: BioS 220 and either BioS 225 or 420.

489. Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory. 3 Hours. Recording from and analyzing the activity of nerve cells, neuronal networks, and other electrically excitable tissues. Prerequisite: BioS 286 or the equivalent.

580. Themes in Neuroscience. 2 Hours. Same as Neus 580. May be repeated for credit. Survey of two or three topics in neuroscience with an emphasis on recent research advances. Research that spans the areas under consideration will be emphasized.

582. Methods in Modern Neuroscience. 2 Hours. Animals used in instruction. Same as Neus 582. Underlying principles and applications of techniques used to analyze nervous system organization and function. Behavioral, electrophysiological, anatomical, and biochemical approaches are considered.

583. Practicum in Neuroscience Methods. 3 Hours. Same as Neus 583. Technologically intense laboratory experience in the methods used by neuroscientists to solve research problems. Demonstrations and discussions complement laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: BioS 582.

586. Cell and Molecular Neurobiology. 3 Hours. Structure and function of voltage-dependent and neurotransmitter-gated ion channels; the role of these ion channels in synaptic transmission, synaptic modification, and neuromodulation. Prerequisite: BioS 442 or consent of the instructor.

587. Topics in Neurobiology. 1 to 2 Hours. May be repeated for credit. Students may register for more than one section per term. Credit varies according to the topic offered. In-depth analysis of advanced topics in neurobiology, involving reading primary literature, student presentations, and critical discussion.

 Graduate College

401. Scientific Integrity and Responsible Research. 0 Hours. S/U grade only. Meets during the first seven weeks of the term on the west side of campus, and on the east side of campus during the last seven weeks. Designed to meet NIH requirements for formal training in the responsible conduct of research. Ethical and legal issues in the conduct of research; University of Illinois at Chicago research standards, regulations, and procedures.

470. Essentials for Animal Research. 1 Hour. S/U grade only. This course will acquaint the students with the regulations, sources of information, humane principles and ethical considerations involving the appropriate use of animals for research and teaching purposes.

471. Experimental Animal Techniques. 2 Hours. Animals used in instruction. S/U grade only. Noninvasive and invasive techniques commonly used in laboratory animals are performed with emphasis placed upon the proper use of anesthetic, analgesics and aseptic techniques. Prerequisite: GC 470.

Kinesiology

570. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Motor Control. 4 Hours. Neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie the control and regulation of movement. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Molecular Genetics

512. Experimental Design and Analysis in Molecular Genetics. 4 Hours. Methods and logic in the analysis of gene function, gene cloning, analysis of genetic changes, studies of gene expression, design of experimental controls. Prerequisite: Bche 460 or consent of the instructor.

513. Molecular Basis of Cell Growth and Differentiation. 4 Hours. Oncogenes, tumor suppressor proteins and growth factors, and their roles in tumorigenesis, cell growth, differentiation and development. Prerequisite: Bche 460 or consent of the instructor.

 Neuroscience

580. Themes in Neuroscience. 2 Hours. Same as BioS 580. May be repeated for credit. Survey of two or three topics in neuroscience with an emphasis on recent research advances. Research that spans the areas under consideration will be emphasized.

582. Methods in Modern Neuroscience. 2 Hours. Animals used in instruction. Same as BioS 582. Underlying principles and applications of techniques used to analyze nervous system organization and function. Behavioral, electrophysiological, anatomical, and biochemical approaches are considered.

583. Practicum in Neuroscience Methods. 3 Hours. Same as BioS 583. Technologically intense laboratory experience in the methods used by neuroscientists to solve research problems. Demonstrations and discussions complement laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: Neus 582.

 Pharmacodynamics

521. Receptors in Human Disease. 2 Hours. This course stresses the importance of receptors for neurotransmitters and hormones in the manifestation of various human disease states; emphasizes the treatment strategies based on the correction of the abnormalities in receptors. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Pharmacology

505. Advanced Topics in Receptor Pharmacology and Physiology. 2 Hours. Same as PhyB 505. Lecture/discussions of theoretical and experimental aspects of neurotransmitter, hormone and drug interactions with tissue receptors. Topics include drug receptor theory and signal transduction mechanisms. Prerequisite: Bche 460.

520. Neuropharmacology of Membranes, Channels, Receptors and Transmitters. 2 Hours. The mechanisms of pharmacological agents acting on membrane channels, synaptic transmission and neurons will be covered. An emphasis will be placed on drugs as tools in the investigation of central nervous system function. Prerequisite: Pcol 425 or consent of the instructor.

Philosophy

406. Philosophy of Language. 4 Hours. Intensive treatment of one or more topics, such as meaning and reference, communication, the structure of language, language and thought, and the relation of language to reality. Prerequisite: Phil 102 or one 200- or 400-level logic course or Phil 226 or consent of the instructor.

Physiology and Biophysics

505. Advanced Topics in Receptor Pharmacology and Physiology. 2 Hours. Same as Pcol 505. Lecture/discussions of theoretical and experimental aspects of neurotransmitter, hormone and drug interactions with tissue receptors. Topics include drug receptor theory and signal transduction mechanisms. Prerequisite: Bche 460.

569. Methods in Experimental Physiology. 3 Hours. Primarily for students in physiology. Registration limited to eight. A laboratory course designed to acquaint students with advanced techniques and methodology in physiologic investigations. Prerequisites: Enrollment in the M.S. or Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics program, and credit or concurrent registration in PhyB 401 or the equivalent, or consent of the instructor.

585. Cell Biology. 4 Hours. Same as Anat 585 and MIm 585. Functional and structural organization of the cell with emphasis on the cellular basis of physiological activity.

586. Cell Physiology I. 4 Hours. Advanced functional and structural organization of the cell with emphasis on the cellular basis of physiological activity. Prerequisite: PhyB 402 and 585 and Bche 460, or consent of the instructor.

Psychology

467. Fundamentals of Neuroscience. 3 Hours. Basic principles of neurophysiology and neuropharmacology including logic bases of nerve action, chemistry of synapses, and actions of pharmacological agents.

521. Developmental Psychobiology. 3 Hours. Concepts and theory integrating behavioral and biological developmental processes, with examples from current research issues. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.