The course provides in-depth exposure to the cellular mechanisms utilised by neurones in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Emphasis will be put on the following areas: the role of different classes of ion channels in affecting neuronal excitability, the mechanisms involved in electrical and chemical transmission, how transmitted signals are integrated by the neurons and across networks, and how different forms of synaptic plasticity may underlie learning and memory. Where possible insights will be provided into disease states such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Students will visit research laboratories at the John Curtin School of Medical Research to gain an exposure to research topics pursued by their lecturers. In addition, there will be a short library-based project critiquing an original research article.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students should

• Understand advanced concepts in cellular and molecular neuroscience, and describe recent advances within the field; (LO1)
• Integrate principles from multiple science disciplines to understand information transfer within the brain; (LO2)
• Explain some of the current neuroscience technologies and illustrate how these can be used to study cellular neuroscience; (LO3)
• Apply critical thinking to understanding the mechanisms involved in specific neurological diseases; (LO4)
• Obtain and analyse information and data relating to cellular neuroscience; (LO5)
• Locate and evaluate current scientific literature and discuss the important findings of these papers in writing. (LO5)

Undergraduate assessment:

• Lab reports (40%) LO1, 2, 4, 5
• Summary article (10%) LO1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Final exam (50%) LO1, 2, 3, 4

Three lectures per week, a number of two-hour laboratory sessions including laboratory visits, tutorials, plus a critique of a scientific paper.

BIOL2174, or a combination of PSYC2007 and 12 units of first year PSYC or BIOL units

Incompatible with BIOL3101

Recommended texts (choice of two):

Byrne, JH & Roberts, JL (2009), From Molecules to Networks. An Introduction of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (2^nd ed), Academic press, ISBN 978-0-12-374132-5.

Purves, D. et al. (2008), Neuroscience (4^th ed), Sinauer Assoc. ISBN 978-0-87893-697-7.