Expanded course description:  This course will cover fundamental principles of electrical and chemical signalling between excitable cells of the central nervous system.  This course represents the second module of a three module sequence that is required for all IDP Neuroscience students.  The course will be conceptually divided into two components.  In the first section, we will cover basic principles of communication in excitable cells.  Topics covered will include but not be limited to: structure and function of the cell membrane, electrical properties of the lipid bilayer, equilibrium and resting potentials, the ionic basis of the action potential, axonal conduction, and the quantal nature of synaptic transmission.  We will then pause to consider how voltage gated channels beyond those strictly needed to produce an action potential can modulate the ‘intrinsic properties’ of excitable cells, and briefly review both classic and contemporary thinking about several major ligand gated ion channels that respond to chemical transmission in the CNS.  Armed with a solid conceptual framework for how communication between excitable cells occurs, we will then proceed (in the second section of the course) to consider the remarkable array of endogenous mechanisms for modulating the strength of synaptic connections in the CNS.  Topics covered will include selected classic forms of both short and long term plasticity.  Time permitting, we will also introduce the concept of ‘metaplasticity’ and consider one or two recently discovered examples.

Evaluation of student performance:  Students will be evaluated largely on the basis of written responses to essay style questions.  These short essay assignments will be provided at regular intervals throughout the course.  They will be completed independently, and out of class.  There will be no in class final.  Class participation and/or other assignments may represent a minority component of the final grade.

Course Textbook:  Although not required, it is highly recommended by the Neuroscience faculty that students consider purchasing Principles of Neuroscience by Eric R. Kandel et al.  The most recent edition of this book (5th edition) is scheduled to be released June 30, 2006. This textbook provides an important reference book for graduate students in Neuroscience and will be used in all three Principles of Neuroscience course modules.  A copy of the fourth edition (published in 2000) of this textbook will be placed on reserve for student use.  Additional readings will be assigned from the primary research literature.