Prospectus | 08/09 - Psychology and Neuroscience - Maastricht ...

Chapter 3 - Specialization Fundamental Neuroscience
Alexander Sack, Cognitive Neuroscience (FPN), Phone 38 84267, 40 Universiteitssingel
East, Room 4.765, E-mail: a.sack@psychology.unimaas.nl;
Jos Prickaerts, Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology (FPN), Phone 38 81026,
40 Universiteitssingel East, Room 2.737, E-mail: j.prickaerts@psychology.unimaas.nl
Description of the Course
This lecture course, attended by all first year students, is designed to highlight
selected research topics from the perspectives of cognitive neuroscience, fundamental
neuroscience, neuropsychology and psychopathology. The aim is to illustrate how the
distinct but inter-related approaches to questions in the field of brain and behaviour
can enrich our understanding of underlying mechanisms as well as cognitive,
emotional and behavioural outcomes in health and disorder.
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Instructional Approach
A series of four lectures for each of two broad themes. Faculty members from each of
the four specializations will present lectures in successive weeks.
Required readings, assigned by each lecturer, will be made available prior to the first
meeting of a new theme.
Form of Assessment
Following each series of four lectures, an open book exam will be given, covering
material from all of the assigned readings and lectures for that theme. The final pass/
fail score is based on the average grade obtained on the two exams.
3.2 Core courses
| 411FN Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques – 5 credits
Coordinator: Pilar Martínez - Martínez, Psychiatry & Neuropsychology (FHML),
Phone 38 81263, 50 Universiteitssingel, Room 1.136, E-mail: p.martinez@np.unimaas.nl
Description of the Course
This course in molecular biology techniques is designed to provide students with a
conceptual and practical understanding of several of the most advanced techniques in
molecular neuroscience. In this course, the laboratory portion will include topics such
as: the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) for regulating the expression of specific
genes in neurons; practical exercises in gene delivery systems including mammalian
cell transfection protocols and gene electroporation techniques for targeted gene
transfer in vivo; an introduction to overall strategies, cloning, whole genome expression
analyses using DNA microarray technologies; quantitative real time RT-PCR analyses
from small numbers of cells (probes design, RNA purification, PCR optimization,
interpretation of results). Students will also be introduced to bioinformatics and a wide
range of internet resources which are available to molecular neuroscientists.