536-303 The Brain: Neurophysiology of Behaviour

Physiology 536-201, 536-211 and 536-202, or the Anatomy/Physiology subject 516-209.

BBiomedSc students: 521-213 and 536-250.

Students who do not have a background in physiology, but who have strong background in psychology or zoology, may seek exemption by writing to the Head of Physiology.

On completion of this subject, students should understand the theoretical and functional mechanisms involved in the formation and recall of memory. Students should also have explored the mechanisms underlying at least one other major brain function, which may include the neurophysiology of music, the neurophysiology of exercise, addictive behaviour, appetite, colour vision, neurological disease or pain. Students should comprehend the relationships between membrane events, neuronal architecture, neural circuits and final behaviours; as well as the methods used to study them (eg. functional imaging, electrophysiology and psychophysics). In the course of a short library-based research project, students should develop skills in working in groups to integrate data from original scientific papers to understand a specific mechanism in depth. Students should develop skills in critical analysis of the data and conclusions presented in original articles and in identifying differences in approaches, results and interpretation within the literature. Students will also develop oral communication skills in discussions with their project group members and written skills in writing their final reports. Students should be able to evaluate original scientific material, to justify opinions on the basis of this and to detect where current information is unable to provide definitive conclusions about how the brain controls behaviour.

A 3000-word project report (50%), and four 200-word journal article summaries submitted throughout the semester (10% each) and group participation and communication (10%).