Spring 2022

Seminar in Physiology: Classic Papers in Neurophysiology

Listed in: Biology, as BIOL-450  |  Neuroscience, as NEUR-450

Faculty

Josef G. Trapani (Section 01)

Description

(Offered as BIOL 450 and NEUR 450) Concentrating on reading and interpreting primary research, this course will focus on classic and soon-to-be classic neurophysiology papers. We will discuss the seminal experiments performed in the 1950s that led to our understanding of action potentials; experiments in the 1960s and 1970s that unlocked how synapses function; and more recent research that combines electrophysiology with optical methods and genetic techniques to investigate the role of many of the molecular components predicted by the work from the earlier decades. Assignments will include written reviews of literature as well as oral presentations.

Requisite: PHYS 117 or PHYS 124 and one of BIOL-214, BIOL 260, BIOL 351, or consent of the instructor. Limited to 18 students. Not open to first-year students. Spring Semester. Professor Trapani.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on reading primary literature, in-class oral presentations, group work, quantitative work and analysis of figures and data, weekly writing assignments in the form of article summaries Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.

Offerings

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2013, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Spring 2022, Spring 2025