Neurobiology

Learning objectives The topic of this course is the neurobiological study of animal behaviour in a laboratory setting. The main aim of the course is to provide students with advanced knowledge about current multidisciplinary methods for the study of animal behaviour and its biological basis, in normal conditions and in preclinical models of human pathologies. Specific attention will be paid to bioethical and legislative issues regarding the use of animal models in biomedical research. The course involves lectures, classroom/laboratory exercises and the participation to a collaborative group assignement. Knowledge and understanding - knowledge and understanding of the main preclinical animal models of human pathologies of the central nervous system - knowledge and understanding of the current methods for the study the biological basis of behaviour - knowledge and understanding of the rationale behind the use of animal models and related bioethical issues - knowledge and understanding of the main paradigms for the study of animal behaviour in a laboratory setting - knowledge and understanding of the advantages and limitations of the different methods used in behavioural neuroscience - knowledge and understanding of primary scientific literature in the behavioural neuroscience field Applying knowledge and understanding - ability to use the specific terminology of behavioral neuroscience - ability to interpret the research design in a behavioral neuroscience experiment - ability to identify, compare and evaluate the methodological approaches available for answering experimental questions in the behavioural neuroscience field Making judgements - ability to discuss critically a scientific research article in the behavioural neuroscience field Communication skills - ability to communicate effectively the acquired knowledge in writing - ability to communicate effectively the acquired knowledge orally Lifelong learning skills - upon completion of the course students should be able to understand and evaluate independently primary research literature in the behavioural neuroscience field - upon completion of the course students should be able to plan independently a simple experimental design to test hypotheses in behavioural neuroscience