Curriculum — The first year
The first year starts with the Summer School, which is a general introduction course in Neuroscience. The core of the first year program consists of 10 modules of 3 weeks each. Each module provides in-depth theoretical and practical training. Typically each module consists of 3 to 4 lectures, several self-study problems with workgroup discussions and training of practical skills. Each module ends with an exam and/or oral presentation. The content of the modules is to a large extent based on chapters in the book "Principles of Neural Science" by Eric Kandel, James Schwartz and Thomas Jessel (Fourth Edition). In addition, selected review and methodology papers reflecting the state-of-the-art in a particular area of neuroscience will be studied and discussed. Presentation skills are trained in the first year in journal clubs and tutor sessions.
During the second half of the first year the students will elaborate on the research topic they have selected at the end of the first half year. Under the supervision of their tutor they have to do an extensive literature search and they have to come up with relevant and related novel questions and to design an experimental plan how to tackle these questions. All of this will be described in a research project that should be finalized before the beginning of the second year.
Curriculum
All first year classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, in the afternoon. Click here for a detailed schedule, including dates and times (pdf).
| Module | Title | Faculty | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | Neural signaling | Prof.Dr. J.G.G. Borst | 29 Sept - 15 Oct 2009 |
| 1.1 | Structure and organization of the nervous system | Dr. T.J.H. Ruigrok | 27 Oct - 12 Nov 2009 |
| 1.3 | Sensory systems | Dr. J. van der Steen | 17 Nov - 3 Dec 2009 |
| 1.4 | Motor systems | Prof.Dr. M.A. Frens | 5 Jan - 21 Jan 2010 |
| 1.5 | Neurodevelopment | Dr. C.C. Hoogenraad | 26 Jan - 11 Feb 2010 |
| 1.6 | Neurological disorders | Dr. D. Jaarsma | 16 Feb - 4 Mar 2010 |
| 1.7 | Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying plasticity and behaviour | Dr. Y. Elgersma | 9 Mar - 25 Mar 2010 |
| 1.9 | Cognitive Neuroscience | Dr. J. van der Geest | 30 Mar- 15 Apr 2010 |
| 1.8 | Nervous system and limbic system | Dr. J. Holstege | 20 Apr - 06 May 2010 |
| 1.10 | Psychiatric disorders | Prf. dr. S. Kushner | 11 May - 27 May 2010 |