Brain exploration

 The brain is at the heart of human behavior. It is the body's control tower. It continuously receives a flow of information from both the external environment and the body. This information must be processed and analyzed rapidly, in order to propose an appropriate response. All these mechanisms, which at first glance appear complex, are based on simple biological mechanisms.

The aim of EU Brain Exploration is to discover how the brain system works. Starting with basic biological knowledge and covering the fundamental concepts of cellular function, we will advance our understanding of how our brain works. Functions such as sensoriality, motricity, memory and emotion will serve as concrete examples, and will be studied in an integrated way, from the molecular to the cellular to the behavioral level.

A minimum knowledge of biology is expected for this course (high school level). Knowing what a cell is and its composition is a good starting point.

Recommended prerequisites*: a scientific mind and a desire to learn more about how the brain works.

2 continuous assessments (50% of final grade) + a final assessment (50%)

Part 1: What is the brain?

CM1 /CM2: What is the Brain (I) and (II)? (different cell types. Nervous messages)

CM3: Development/Evolution of the SN (Comparative anatomy in vertebrates)

TD1A / TD1B : Analysis of scientific articles - methodology (How to read and analyze scientific articles)

TD2: Neuroanatomy/Methods and techniques

Part 2: How does the brain integrate different sensory inputs?

CM4-CM5: Somatosensoriality (I) and (II)

CM6 : Hearing system

CM7 : Visual system

CM8 : Taste system

TD3 : Olfactory system

Part 3: How does the brain generate behavior?

CM9: Motor systems and motricity (Motor system, PNS, reflexes)

CM10 : Language (Articulated language in humans, Communication in animals)

CM11 : Emotions/Regulation of autonomous systems.

TD4 : Emotions/Regulation of autonomous systems

Part 4: How is the brain system modulated by internal states and the environment?

CM12 : Awakening/Sleeping/Awareness

CM13 : Memory/Learning

CM14 : Pharmacology

TD5 A / TD5B: Neuropathology

TD6 : Pharmacology -

Hourly volumes*:

            CM :21.5h

            TD :12h

Manager*: Julien ROUSSEL / Zoé HUSSON

Administrative contact(s) :

julien.roussel @ umontpellier.fr (julien.roussel @ umontpellier.fr)

zoe.husson @ umontpellier.fr (zoe.husson @ umontpellier.fr)