|
Course Description
The brain is an organ of adaptation throughout the lifespan
of an animal, allowing animals, including humans, to adapt to a
constantly changing world. The goal of this course is to teach
and discuss basic concepts and current research directions in brain
plasticity. This includes theory and research on how animals
learn and remember, how brain areas and neurons adapt to changes in
experiences throughout the life-span and the cellular and structural
substrates of a "memory".
<-- RETURN TO TOP
Required Readings
Selected
readings are available in an electronic course packet. Login to
Blackboard for more information.
<-- RETURN TO TOP
Grading
Tests:
The tests will be multiple choice, fill in the blank
and short answer essay. Make-up tests are permitted but will be
entirely essay ("long-answer" variety). Material covered in the
lecture outlines is emphasized, but any of the class material may be
covered on the tests, including student presentations and topics of
discussion brought up in class. The final test includes material
covered since test 2 (20%) and a comprehensive portion (5%). At
least one question of the comprehensive portion will be essay.
You are encouraged within reason to dispute the grading on tests by
providing written justifications.
Oral Presentations:
Your oral presentation is a short (~15 min) summary a
research article corresponding to the day’s topic. You should
choose from the list of articles provided. Alternative research
reports that are relevant to the class topic can be used with advanced
permission from the instructor. Use of powerpoint, overheads,
handouts and/or other visual aids is strongly encouraged. The
grading is based on the content and clarity of the presentation and
your demonstration of a conceptual understanding of the research. A
guide to the organization of your presentation will be provided.
Creation of Sample Test
Questions:
Within 2 days of your oral presentation, you should provide the
instructor with at least 2 test questions based on the content of your
presentation. Particularly good questions may be used in
whole or part on the next exam.
Class Participation:
This includes asking questions, introducing points for discussion,
demonstrating knowledge of required readings when answering questions
and performance on unscheduled quizzes. This grade is broken down
into participation in the first, middle and final segments of the
course.
Optional Short Reports:
Short reports are a 3 to 5 page double spaced description of
a research article, typically the one that you used for your oral
presentation. If it improves your grade, the grade on your Short Report
will be substituted for half of your grade on test 1, test 2 or the
non-comprehensive portion of test 3. The grading is based on content,
organization and writing style (including grammar), and the
demonstration of your conceptual understanding of the research. A
guide on how to write these will be provided. Short reports must be turned in no
later than May 4 at 5:00 pm.
<-- RETURN TO TOP
Computation of Grades
Test 1: 25%
Test 2: 25%
Test 3: 30% (25% Test 3 + 5% comprehensive portion)
Oral Presentations (includes sample test questions):
15%
Class Participation: 5%
Special Needs
The University
of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic
accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To determine
if you qualify, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259,
471-4641 TTY. If they certify your needs, I will work with you to
make appropriate arrangements
<-- RETURN TO TOP
|