Neurochemistry/Neurobiology

Code:

NC4000

Acronym:

NC4000

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Neurosciences

Instance: 2018/2019 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Biochemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BQ	5	Plano de Estudos do MBIOQ_2013-2014	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Neuroscience is dedicated to the study of the nervous system and its role on behaviour and other functions of the body. In the last few years, neuroscience knowledge has greatly improved due to the introduction of new techniques (e.g. molecular biology, genomics, proteomics) and advanced technologies, like the imaging methods to visualize neuronal functioning. With these improvements the neuroscientists are in a better position to understand cerebral function in both normal and disease conditions.

Neurochemistry / Neurobiology curriculum aims at increasing the students’ knowledge on the nervous system functions, from cellular level to neuronal networks, in a multidisciplinary scientific perspective privileging the research work at the laboratory level.

Learning outcomes and competences

The teaching methodologies and resources adopted in this course aims  providing to studentsanintegratedand practicalknowledgeabout thefunctioning of the systemnerveand its relationswith the behaviorandbodily functions. It is intended tostimulate critical analysisandinterpretationof experimental results.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Program content: Basic and Molecular Neurobiology; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology and electrophysiology (bioelectric potentials); Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging; Neuropharmacology; Neuroendocrinology (role of neuropeptides); Neuroimmunology (role of cinins); Clinical Neurophatology; Neuronal networks; Neuroprotection, apoptosis, aging e regeneration.

Fundamentals of Neuroscience (a brief history of neuroscience and the new perspectives); The architecture of nervous system (development of the vertebrate nervous system; stem cells, adult neurogenesis and regeneration; identity and organization of functional systems); Cellular components of nervous tissue (the neuron, neuroglia, cerebral vasculature); Subcellular organization of the nervous system (organelles and their functions, intracellular trafficking); Electronic properties of axons and dendrites; Membrane potential and action potencial; Neurotransmitters (chemical transmission, classical neurotransmitters, nonclassical neurotransmitters, peptide transmitters, unconventional transmitters); Release of neurotransmitters (transmitter release is quantal, exocytotic machinery, synaptic plasticity); Neurotransmitter receptors (ionotropic, metabotropic and catalytic receptors); Intracellular signaling pathways (G-proteins, modulation of neuronal function by protein kinases and phosphatases, signaling affecting nuclear gene expression, role of Ca2+); Postsynaptic potentials and signaling integration (excitatory / inhibitory synapses); Information processing in complex dendrites and the role of retrograde transmitters; Brain energy metabolism (coupling of neuronal activity, blood flow, and energy metabolism, the astrocyte-neuron metabolic unit); Sensory and motor systems; The nervous system and its role as an integrator of body functions (autonomic nervous system, control of food intake and water cycle, circadian timing, neuroendocrine systems, motivation and reward); Behavioral and cognitive neuroscience (cognitive development and aging, attention, learning and memory, language and communication); Inherited and neurodegenerative diseases.

Mandatory literature

Squire Larry R. ed.; Fundamental neuroscience. ISBN: 0-12-660303-0
Siegel George J. ed.; Basic neurochemistry. ISBN: 978-0-12-088397-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

It is a classroom learning type of methodology that comprisestheoretical lessons (lessons about core theoretical concepts of the UC); theoretical-practical lessons (approach relevant topics in the neuroscience recurring to examples) and practical lessons that focus on the experimental work at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and the Laboratory of Electrophysiology and Cell Signaling (ICBAS) which experimental results have to be presented and discussed by students through a report.

Resources include video projection (data-show). The theoretical lessons allow the students to learn basic concepts of neurochemistry and neurobiology that they will later apply and discuss in class by participating in seminars and presenting scientific articles.

The practical lessons have a strong experimental nature and take place in a Lab environment. They are intended to encourage students to acquire lab practices in this scientific area, stimulate their ability to analyse and interpret experimental results and promote contact with actual researches.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	40,00
Teste	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	46,00
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	28,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

 Distributed evaluation:

• Practical (6 points): Compulsory attendance (2/3 of attendances). Continuous evaluation by the tutor.
• Theorical and Pratical (8 point): Seminars presentation and discussion.
• Theory (6 points): Final examination (20 multiple choice quiz + 5 short answers) and/or oral examination (students must have >3.0/14.0 to succeed; compulsory between 2.0-2.9/6.0 points in the final examination).

Calculation formula of final grade

[(Written evaluation*30%)+(Theorical/Practical evaluation*40%)+(Pratical evaluation *30%)]/100

Examinations or Special Assignments

Oral  examination.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Oral examination.

Classification improvement

Final examination and/or Oral examination.

Observations

Practical-Evaluation approval is valid for two consecutive academic years.