The course provides the acquisition of knowledge about the anatomical structure and the main functions of the nervous system. The main aim of the course is to provide students with the knowledge necessary to understand the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.

The program is divided into three parts:

Part I: Structure and functions of the nervous system cells

- Introduction to the study of the biological bases of behavior
- Anatomy and physiology of the neural cells: neurons and glial cells
- Generation, transmission, and integration of neural signals: resting potential; action potential; synaptic transmission; general hints on neurotransmitters; postsynaptic potentials

Part II: Anatomy of the nervous system

- The general organization of the nervous system: introduction to the anatomical terminology; macroscopic anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system; meninges, ventricular system, and cerebrospinal fluid
- The Telencephalon: neocortex and cerebral lobes; subcortical nuclei; organization of white matter
- The Diencephalon: thalamus and hypothalamus
- The Brain Stem: structure and nuclei; cranial nerves
- The Cerebellum: structure and relations with other systems
- The Spinal Cord: structure and spinal roots; organization of the gray and white matter; spinal nerves

Part III: Introduction to the main sensory systems

- The visual system: structure and function; encoding and analysis of visual information
- The auditory-vestibular system: structure and functions; encoding and analysis of auditory information; vestibular pathways
- The somatosensory system: structure and functions; encoding and analysis of tactile, painful, and thermal information

None.

Knowledge and understanding:

Upon completion of this course the student must demonstrate:
a. the acquisition and mastery of the basic knowledge about the anatomical structure and functioning of the nervous system;
b. the understanding of the physiological mechanisms and processes underlying the generation, transmission, and integration of neural signals;
c. the knowledge of the structure and organization of the main sensory systems;
d. the understanding of the contribution that the knowledge of neural correlates provides to the study of behavior and mental processes.

Applying knowledge and understanding:

Students must demonstrate the ability to select and apply the anatomical and physiological knowledge of the nervous system to describe the neural mechanisms underlying the main mental functions.

Making judgements:

Students must demonstrate the basic ability to critically judge the role played by the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the mental functioning and its possible alterations, to identify open questions, and to independently deepen their knowledge.

Communication skills:

Students must demonstrate the ability to clearly and coherently convey the acquired knowledge, and to master the specific terminology in the field of neurophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, with the additional purpose of adequately understanding the relevant scientific literature.

Learning skills:

Students will have acquired a good ability of independence in integrating the study material, reading and interpreting information on the neuroscientific aspects of psychological phenomena, purchasing useful scientific information to deepen and update their knowledge.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

In-class/e-learning exercises and two supplementary seminars entitled:

- Taste, food, and emotions
- Autonomic nervous system and emotional responses

Teaching

The course will include frontal lectures, seminars, and in-class/e-learning exercises that will deepen course topics through audio-visual projections, multimedia materials, and exam simulation.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

- Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neuroscienze: esplorando il cervello (quarta edizione). Edra Masson: Milano. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (including the Appendix), 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15.
[English version: Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (fourth edition). Wolters Kluwer: Philadelphia].

- Matelli, M., Umiltà, C. (2007). Il cervello: Anatomia e funzione del Sistema nervoso centrale. Il Mulino: Bologna.

The lecture slides, which will be available on the Moodle course platform, are part of the study material.

Assessment

The learning achievements will be assessed through two written tests:

1) A written multiple choice test to assess the knowledge and topics addressed in each of the three parts of the course. The test consists of 30 questions, with each question including 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of incorrect responses. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Open question on one of the subjects of the course. In this case, the student is required to produce a short essay about a topic proposed by the lecturer. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the learning of the specific language of cognitive neuroscience and to evaluate the student’s ability to master the concepts learned during the course by highlighting also the links among different topics.

In order to pass the examination, it is necessary to get a score of at least 18/30 in both tests; the final grade is computed as the average of the scores obtained in the two tests.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are asked to refer to the instructional material uploaded on the Moodle course platform (lecture slides, videos, exercises, etc.), through which they can integrate the study of the textbooks recommended in the “Course books” section.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

- Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neuroscienze: esplorando il cervello (quarta edizione). Edra Masson: Milano. [English version: Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (fourth edition). Wolters Kluwer: Philadelphia]. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (including the Appendix), 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15.

- Matelli, M., Umiltà, C. (2007). Il cervello: Anatomia e funzione del Sistema nervoso centrale. Il Mulino: Bologna.

The lecture slides, which will be available on the Moodle course platform, are part of the study material.

Assessment

The learning achievements will be assessed through two written tests:

1) A written multiple choice test to assess the knowledge and topics addressed in each of the three parts of the course. The test consists of 30 questions, with each question including 4 alternatives. Each question has a value of 1 point. There is no penalty in case of incorrect responses. The student has 60 minutes to complete this test.

2) Open question on one of the subjects of the course. In this case, the student is required to produce a short essay about a topic proposed by the lecturer. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the learning of the specific language of cognitive neuroscience and to evaluate the student’s ability to master the concepts learned during the course by highlighting also the links among different topics.

In order to pass the examination, it is necessary to get a score of at least 18/30 in both tests; the final grade is computed as the average of the scores obtained in the two tests.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Foreign students can contact the lecturer to get information on the course material in English. Moreover, they can take the exam in English upon request, by sending an e-mail at least one week before the date of the exam.

Some optional (nonmandatory) scientific papers (in English) will be available on the Moodle course platform during the course.