2020-2021 / BIOL0857-1

Behavioural neuroscience and animal cognition

Duration

18h Th, 12h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

André Ferrara, Jean-Christophe Plumier, Gilles Vandewalle

Coordinator

Jean-Christophe Plumier

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is divided in classical theoretical presentation, discussion and paper presentations, observation of a preclinical neuroimaging research unit and a written report that will be replace the exam.
Theoretical presentations



  • Neuroanatomy: humans a model, declined over primates, mouse, zebrafish, drosophila and nematods.
  • Techniques: observation, telemetry, electrophysiology, optogenetic, neuroimaging.
  • Neurobiology of memory: system level
  • Neurobiology of memory: molecular and cellular level
  • Neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness.
  • Neurobiology of fear and aggressiveness
  • Panorama of tests allowing the study of learning and memory.
  • Guide for reproducible research in behavioral neuroscience and for the critical presentation of an article using the object recognition test.
 Discussions and research paper presentations
This part wants to cover in details a the brain mechanism of 2 given thematics: fear as the first theme, sleep as the second. The in depth reading of 2 papers per themes and their dicussion in direction work session will allow a better understanding of the themes (with evalaution)
This part also wants to discuss how to study a given research question by presenting divers ways to complete the same test (object recognition task - ORT) so the the advantages and issues of such a test can be aprehended. In groups of 3, the students will present a paper using ORT (with evaluation).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course aims at introducing theorical and methodological bases to specialized domains in neurosciences (Motivation biopsychology, learning and memory, cognition and emotion dysfunctioning). Specific courses addressing these matters are proposed to Bloc 2 master students.

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)

The theorical course is offered during the first quadrimestre. Participation to practicals is mandatory.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

If the nulber of student is higher than the regulation in terms of space occupation, part or all student will take the class virtually.

Recommended or required readings

./.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

The evaluation is based for 50¿% on the scientific paper discussions (fear, sleep) and on the paper presentation (ORT), so 16.6% per session. A written personnal work integrating the notion covered during the course will be considered as the final exam (50% - 10 pages, 1.5 interline space, time new roman).
A pre-manuscript can be evaluated in december (sent max Dec 15th), if students ask for it. The final manuscript has to be submitted during the exam session.
The written work will consist in exposing the biological context of a research question asked by the trachers, describe how to investigate and how to interpret the results

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Classes, discussions, presentations in building B6d, room R26 (in principle)
Neuroimaging preclinic research demonstration at teh B30

Contacts

Jean-Christophe Plumier, Ecophysiologie et physiologie animale, Bât B22, chemin de la vallée 4, 4000 Liège E-mail: JC.Plumier@uliege.be/ Tel: 3843
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
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