Molecular Neuropharmacology

This course combines consideration of the structure of the nervous system and the neuropharmacology of neurotransmitters in the context of the function of the nervous system. It provides an introduction to neuroanatomy and a more detailed consideration of receptors for the biogenic amines, GABA, and glutamate. Quarter III, Drs. Toth, Baker.

Neuropeptides (GD&B 4a)

This mini-course considers the unique features of neuropeptides as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the CNS as well as their role in neuroendocrine regulation. It will focus on opiates and pituitary peptides as specific examples of this large class of signaling molecules. Quarter IV, Drs. Inturrisi and Szeto.

Research Rotations in Neuroscience

Neuroscience students who have arranged for a research rotation must register for this course each quarter the rotation is conducted. The student must submit a one page description of the proposed research in the first two weeks of the rotation and submit a 3-5 page description of the research that has been completed as soon as the rotation is finished. The faculty member will provide a 1-2 page commentary on the accomplishments of the student during the rotation. Students meet at the beginning of each quarter to describe their current rotation project.

Molecular Basis of Neurological Disease

This course will review current attempts to understand neurological disease from a molecular point of view. Students will learn how to apply the basic methods in molecular biology and molecular genetics to the study of neurological disease. Topics will include muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The course will consist of lectures, critical discussions of recent research papers and the preparation of an original research paper. This course is designed to be taken in sequence with Pathobiology of Neurological Disease. Quarter IV, annually. Dr. Chenjian Li ee.

The Visual System

The visual system offers marvelous opportunities to study fundamental problems in neuroscience. These seminar courses, which vary from year to year, offer lectures and readings on current research topics in the vertebrate visual system. In 2001-2002, the course will consider "Systems Neurophysiology" (Quarters II-III at Rockefeller University) and "Visual Processing" (Quarter IV). Dr. Jonathan Victor organizes every year a "Mini-rotation in Ophthalmology" with clinical faculty from the Department of Ophthalmology. Drs. Rodriguez-Boulan and Victor, with faculty of the Tri-Institutional Training Program in Vision Research.

Mathematical Methods in Neuroscience

This course provides a didactic introduction to a variety of mathematical approaches in neuroscience, selected both because of their proven usefulness and their intrinsic interest. Mathematical structures traditionally considered "advanced" will be introduced in an elementary fashion. Applications to be considered will include the analysis of channel activity, the analysis of spike trains, and image analysis. Quarter I, Dr. Victor.

Progress in Neuroscience

This course is the seminar series in the Program in Neuroscience. Most lectures are given by speakers invited from outside the Cornell community, but speakers are also drawn from the Program in Neuroscience and scientists at Cornell with related interests. Quarters I-IV, annually.

Progress in Neuroscience/Current Topics in Neurobiology

This course combines the seminar series in the Program in Neuroscience with critical discussions of papers published by the speaker, or related papers in the area of that week's seminar. Faculty of the Neuroscience Program.

Logic and Experimental Design

This multidisciplinary course combines lectures about the fundamental biochemical, cellular, molecular, immunological, genetic, and bioinformatics approaches that are used in biomedical research with critical discussion of research papers. The course will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and each meeting will have provisions for both a lecture and a discussion period. Generally, the discussion period will be used to discuss an original research paper, but occasionally it will be used for a model building laboratory, or a review session. The development of a research proposal is a major component of the course. The course is open to all students and fellows and it is a core course for both neuroscience and pharmacology. Offered by John Wagner and faculty in the graduate program in the first and second quarter of each year.

Research Proposals and Scientific Journalism: Inspiration, Writing, and Evaluation

This seminar course will provide students with experience in developing and writing both a popular science article and a research plan in an area of their own choosing. Students will also critically evaluate the merits of specific approaches to scientific problems. It will meet about twelve times during the third and fourth quarters, but requires submission of revised assignments between classes. Second semester, annually. Dr. Wagner, Dr. Weil (Public Affairs), and faculty of the Graduate College.

Neuroscience 444 -- Drug Development: a Business Approach

Everyone in biomedical science and medicine will be interacting with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, but students are often unprepared to understand these companies as businesses, evaluate them as places to develop our careers, understand how they will impact our science, or appreciate how they will change health care delivery. This seminar course will help educate students about how drugs and medical devices are developed and commercialized. The course will include presentations on drug development, clinical trials, the FDA, patent law, pricing policy, drug sales, financial analysis, and related topics. It will also include presentations on specific biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies including an analysis of present and future performance. Students will be expected to actively participate in 15 meetings over a two year period (there are 10 meetings each year), follow a single company for a year, formally present a company, and evaluate its prospects. The class can be initiated at the beginning of any semester. Offered by John A. Wagner, Steve Gross and members of the faculty.