Duration
18h Th, 12h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course is divided between classic general lectures, observation of an animal neuroimaging research laboratory and a synthesis work serving as an exam (oral presentation and written report).
General lectures:
- Neuroanatomy: human beings as a model, with variations in primates, mice, zebrafish, flies and nematodes.
- Neurobiology of memory: system, cellular and molecular levels
- Overview and critique of behavioral tests to study learning and memory, focus on the object recognition test.
- ARRIVE and PREPARE guidelines for reproducible behavioral neuroscience research and critical presentation of an article using the object recognition test.
- How to carry out a preclinical neuroimaging experiment on learning and memory (i.e. with animal models).
- Main methodological pitfalls in preclinical research (behavioural part) and introduction to power analyses.
Discussion, paper presentations and final report:
On the basis of the notions presented during the general lectures and the discussions generated, the student gives an oral presentation and a 15-page report two articles he/she chooses from a list proposed by the teachers.
The work will be done alone or in groups, depending on the number of students enrolled.
The work should include a presentation of the biological mechanisms underlying the memory-related process on which the article focuses. It should then include a detailed critique of the experimental protocol (including statistical aspects, based in particular on the ARRIVE and PREPARE guides). The student is encouraged to read other articles on the theme(s) to complete his/her understanding of the phenomenon and the explanations included in the paper.
The presentation will consist of a 15-20 minute oral presentation followed by 15-20 minutes of questions from other students and teachers. Precise details of the presentation will be given during the first classes.
A pre-written manuscript must be handed in by the day of the oral presentation. It will not be evaluated, but may be improved on the basis of comments made during the oral presentation.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The general aim of the course is to develop students' critical faculties in relation to neuroscience research. The course introduces the theoretical and methodological foundations needed to tackle various specialized areas of neuroscience, using the study of memory as an example.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
It is useful to know the bases in cell physiology and neurobiology. However, these notions will be reviewed before addressing issues specific to neurosciences and experimental psychology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theorical course, oral presentation by the students, discussion with teachers, neuroimaging preclinical research demonstration
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The theorical course is offered during the first quadrimestre. Participation to practicals is mandatory.
The course is taught face-to-face if conditions permit but could be taught as a hybrid or distance learning course if health measures require it (and only if they require it).
Recommended or required readings
./.
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
The oral presentation, written report and participation in the discussions are taken into account.
The evaluation is based for 45% on the oral presentation, 45% on the quality of the report and 10% on participation in discussions during oral presentations.
The report should be 15 pages long (1.5 line spacing, font: Time New Roman; margins: 2cm), excluding title page and references.
A pre-written manuscript must be handed in by the day of the oral presentation. It will not be evaluate, but may be improved on the basis of comments made during the oral presentation.
The report is due at the end of the January session.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Classes, discussions, presentations in building B5b R35 (0/35) (in principle)
Neuroimaging preclinic research demonstration at the B30.
See eCampus for files associated with the course (PowerPoint of the oral course, articles related to the topics covered, etc.).
Contacts
Mohamed Bahri, GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre/In Vivo Imaging, Sleep Research Group,
Bât B30, 8 allée du VI août, 4000 Liège
E-mail: M.Bahri@uliege.be / Tel: 2304
André Ferrara, Psychologie de l'apprentissage et cognition animale. ULiège, FPLSE, Quartier Agora / Place des Orateurs 2 (Bât. B32). E-mail: a.ferrara@uliege.be / Tel.: 04/366.22.32
Gilles Vandewalle, GIGA-Cyclotron Research Centre/In Vivo Imaging, Sleep Research Group,
Bât B30, 8 allée du VI août, 4000 Liège
E-mail: gilles.vandewalle@uliege.be / Tel: 2367