Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program

Courses

* INP 510a, Structural and Functional Organization of the Human Nervous System  Michael Schwartz

An integrative overview of the structure and function of the human brain as it pertains to major neurological and psychiatric disorders. Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical correlations are interrelated to provide essential background in the neurosciences. Lectures in neurocytology and neuroanatomy survey neuronal organization in the human brain, with emphasis on long fiber tracts related to clinical neurology. Lectures in neurophysiology cover various aspects of neural function at the cellular and systems levels, with a strong emphasis on the mammalian nervous system. Clinical correlations consist of sessions applying basic science principles to understanding pathophysiology in the context of patients. Seven two-hour laboratory sessions are coordinated with lectures throughout the course to provide an understanding of the structural basis of function and disease. Case-based conference sections provide an opportunity to integrate and apply the information learned about the structure and function of the nervous system in the rest of the course to solving a focused clinical problem in a journal club format. Variable class schedule; contact course instructors. This course is offered to graduate and M.D./Ph.D. students only and cannot be audited.
HTBA

INP 511a and INP 512b, Lab Rotation for First-Year Students  Charles Greer

Required of all first-year Neuroscience track graduate students. Rotation period is one term. Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
HTBA

INP 513a and INP 514b, Second-Year Thesis Research  Charles Greer

Required of all second-year INP graduate students. Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
HTBA

INP 519a or b, Tutorial  Staff

By arrangement with faculty and approval of DGS.
HTBA

INP 521b, Neuroimaging in Neuropsychiatry II: Clinical Applications  Irina Esterlis

Neuroimaging methodologies including Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) are rapidly evolving tools used to study the living human brain. Neuroimaging has unprecedented implications for routine clinical diagnosis, for assessment of drug efficacy, for determination of psychotropic drug occupancy, and for the study of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The course is designed to provide an overview of the application of state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods to research in neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
HTBA

INP 523a, Imaging Drugs in the Brain  Evan Morris

Seminar course to explore the uses of functional imaging (PET and fMRI) to study the mechanisms of action and long-term effects of drugs (legal and illegal) on brain function. Basic research findings are the main topics, augmented by some discussion of imaging in drug development by Pharma. The central theme of the course is experiment design: how to design the proper imaging experiment to ask the question. What are the endpoints of the experiment? What are the limitations of interpretation? What are the proper controls and what are the proper analyses to ensure reliable, interpretable results? The syllabus is comprised primarily of classic journal articles, in addition to the occasional book chapter or review article. Most class periods begin with a short lecture to cover methodological concepts, followed by discussion of reading material. A number of class periods are organized as games, contests, or other in-class exercises. The emphasis is on formulating the question and designing the experiment. Topics include basic understanding of imaging technology (brief physics, biochemistry, and mathematics) as it relates to imaging of drugs, receptors, neurotransmitters; understanding the primary outcomes of imaging experiments; imaging experiment design; recent findings related to drug abuse; common neurophysiological pathways of addictive drugs (how to image reward); and uses of imaging in drug development (what do drug companies want to measure?). Weekly homework: concise written synopses of assigned articles (students routinely endorse the synopses as the best way to learn the material).
T 3pm-4:30pm

INP 530a / PSYC 530a, Foundations of Neuroscience: Biological Bases of Human Behavior  Steve Wohn Chang

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the biological factors underlying human cognition and behavior. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanisms associated with individual differences in healthy functions (including emotion regulation, stress sensitivity, higher cognition, reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and social functions) and their relations with psychiatric and neurological disorders. Biological factors to be covered include genetic, neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, neurochemical, hormonal, and neuropsychological influences. Several of the initial sessions are devoted to basic topics (e.g., neurons, neuronal signaling, brain systems), before we begin our discussion of the neural basis of behavior and cognition. We also cover seminal work on animal models for mechanistic insights into the neurobiology of human behavior. Graduate students with any neuroscience research interest are encouraged to take this course. Required of Psychology Ph.D. students in the neuroscience area.
MW 11:35am-12:50pm

INP 532b, Neurobiology of Cortical Systems  Michael Crair

An examination of the neural circuits that subserve sensory, motor, cognitive, and affective function, and their relationships to human disorders. A comparative species approach is used to highlight the evolution of neural circuits and their functions. Additional discussion sessions for Neurobiology of Cortical Systems training grant trainees. Required of trainees appointed to Neurobiology of Cortical Systems who have not taken INP 703.
TF 3pm-4:30pm

INP 540b, How to Give a Talk  Jessica Cardin

This course is a practical introduction to the art and science of giving a data-based neuroscience seminar. The ability to give a clear, convincing, and engaging talk about your work is one of the key career skills of successful scientists. Content, visual presentation, body language, and delivery all combine to determine your impact on your audience. The focus in class is on student presentation skills and detailed feedback, interspersed with short example talks by invited guests. Students give at least two talks over the course of the term and participate in weekly Q&A and feedback. Grading is based on class participation. Enrollment limited to ten.
HTBA

INP 558b / PSYC 558b, Computational Methods in Human Neuroscience  Nicholas Turk-Browne

This course provides training on how to use computational science for the advanced analysis of brain imaging data, primarily from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Topics include scientific programming, high-performance computing, machine learning, network/graph analysis, real-time neurofeedback, nonparametric statistics, and functional alignment. Prerequisite: some prior experience with programming, data preprocessing, and basic fMRI analysis.
T 12:30pm-3:30pm

INP 562b / AMTH 765b / CB&B 562b / MB&B 562b / MCDB 562b / PHYS 562b, Dynamical Systems in Biology  Thierry Emonet and Jonathon Howard

This course covers advanced topics in computational biology. How do cells compute, how do they count and tell time, how do they oscillate and generate spatial patterns? Topics include time-dependent dynamics in regulatory, signal-transduction, and neuronal networks; fluctuations, growth, and form; mechanics of cell shape and motion; spatially heterogeneous processes; diffusion. This year, the course spends roughly half its time on mechanical systems at the cellular and tissue level, and half on models of neurons and neural systems in computational neuroscience. Prerequisite: MCDB 561 or equivalent, or a 200-level biology course, or permission of the instructor.
TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm

INP 580b, Bioethics in Neuroscience  Charles Greer

This course is an introduction to ethics and ethical decision-making in the neurosciences. Format for the course is an informal discussion. Each week we are joined by members of the Yale faculty and community who share their experiences and expertise as it relates to the topic of the week. Required of first-year INP students. Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and is based on attendance/participation, weekly reaction papers, and a final term paper. Enrollment limited to Neuroscience track students.
HTBA

INP 701a, Principles of Neuroscience  Angeliki Louvi and William Cafferty

General neuroscience seminar: lectures, readings, and discussion of selected topics in neuroscience. Emphasis is on how approaches at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and organismal levels can lead to understanding of neuronal and brain function.
TF 3pm-4:30pm

INP 702a, Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology  Michael Higley and Janghoo Lim

A comprehensive overview of cellular and molecular concepts in neuroscience. Each exam (of three) covers one-third of the course (Cell Biology, Electrophysiology, and Synaptic Function) and is take-home, with short answer/essay questions.
TF 1pm-2:30pm

INP 703b, Foundations of Systems Neuroscience  Amy Arnsten

An examination of the neural circuits that subserve sensory, motor, cognitive, and affective function, and their relationships to human disorders. A comparative species approach is used to highlight the evolution of neural circuits and their functions. Required of first-year Neuroscience track students.
TTh 2pm-3:30pm

INP 704b, Comparative Neuroanatomy  Charles Greer and Caroline Zeiss

This laboratory-based course examines the fundamental structural organization of the brain in a comparative context. For example, principles of the organization of systems and circuits are compared across human and nonhuman primates and rodents. Labs also explore the organization of the nervous system in zebrafish, drosophila, and c. elegans. The course is open only to graduate students enrolled in the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program and complements the lecture course INP 703. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.  ½ Course cr
HTBA

INP 720a, Neurobiology  Haig Keshishian and Paul Forscher

Examination of the excitability of the nerve cell membrane as a starting point for the study of molecular, cellular, and intracellular mechanisms underlying the generation and control of behavior.
MWF 11:35am-12:25pm