Exploring the brain

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

The EU Brain Exploration program aims to discover how the brain works. Starting with basic biological knowledge and addressing fundamental concepts of cellular functioning, we will advance our understanding of how our brain works. Functions such as sensory perception, motor skills, memory, and emotions will serve as concrete examples and will be studied in an integrated manner, starting at the molecular level, moving on to the cellular level, and finally arriving at behavior.

A basic knowledge of biology (high school level) is required to understand this lesson. Knowing what a cell is and its composition is a good starting point.

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

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

Part 1: What is the brain?

4th/5th grade: What is the Brain (I) and (II)? (Different cell types. Nerve signals)

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: Somatosensory perception (I) and (II)

CM6: Auditory system

CM7: Visual system

CM8: Taste system

TD3: Olfactory system

Part 3: How does the brain generate behavior?

CM9: Motor system and motor skills (Motor system, PNS, reflexes)

CM10: Language (articulated language for humans, communication among animals)

CM11: Emotions/Regulation of autonomic systems.

TD4: Emotions/Regulation of autonomic systems

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

CM12: Waking/Sleeping/Consciousness

CM13: Memory/Learning

CM14: Pharmacology

TD5 A / TD5B: Neuropathology

TD6: Pharmacology -

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 21.5 hours

            TD: 12 p.m.

Responsible*: Julien ROUSSEL / Zoé HUSSON

Administrative contact(s):

julien.roussel @ umontpellier.fr

zoe.husson @ umontpellier.fr