Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind (B&M)

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Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind (B&M)

Research and doctoral training in the B&M include the following fields of science:

• Developmental neuroscience • Excitability, synaptic transmission, and neuronal networks • Disorders of the nervous system • Sensory and motor systems • Neuroimmunology, neuroendocrine systems and sleep • Cognition and behavior • Systems and computational neuroscience

The research strategies are strongly integrative, implying that questions are addressed at different levels of organization (from molecules to behavior), at different stages of development, and under both normal and pathophysiological conditions.

In addition to basic research, a number of the research groups are also developing applications relevant for pharmaceutical companies, for the clinic, and for novel technologies to be used in research. In view of the integrative nature of research training in B&M, we do not support pure methods-development projects. Rather, all new methodologies developed as part of a doctoral thesis project should be applied to data collection or analysis.

A doctoral degree in the programme comprises of a doctoral thesis and 40 credits of additional studies. The studies are divided into discipline-specific studies, aimed to support your research project, and transferable skills training.

When preparing your study plan, please remember to include all the obligatory studies: research ethics, book exam and B&M symposium with poster presentation.

More information at the B&M website (www.brain-mind.fi).

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Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind (B&M)

Curriculum 2020-2023

Updated 05/2021

Structure Code Credits (cr)

Teaching period

Frequency /year

1. Doctoral thesis NEUBM-999

2. Discipline-specific studies NEUBM-998 30 cr

2.1. Scientific content training

>15 cr

Research ethics (obligatory, organized by DSHealth)

PHD-401 or equivalent

1-2 Throughout the year

2/year

B&M Book exam 1 (obligatory) NEUBM-010 5 Throughout the year

Examinarium

B&M Book exam 2 (optional) NEUBM-011 5 -10 Throughout the year

1/month

Advances in neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation

NEUBM-205 3 III every second year

Biological psychiatry 1 NEUBM-301 1-3 II every second year

Biological psychiatry 2 NEUBM-302 1-3 II every second year

NeuPhar 1 NEUBM-303 2-5 IV every second year

NeuPhar 2 NEUBM-304 2-5 IV every second year

Computational neuroscience NEUBM-309 2-3 I every second year

B&M "What's up" Journal Club NEUBM-507 1-2 Throughout the year

every year

Functional neuroanatomy NEUBM-533 3 IV every second year

Big questions in neuroscience and current limits of knowledge

NEUBM-610 1-2 Throughout the year

every year

Milestones in the history of neuroscience


every year

Zebrafish neurobiology NEUBM-612 6 IV every second year

Microglia in health and disease

NEUBM-211 3 III every year

Other elective studies NEUBM-771 1-10

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Relevant courses organized by Master’s Programme in Neuroscience

NEU-xxx

Relevant courses organized by other study programs

2.2. Scientific seminars and activities <15 cr

B&M Symposium 1 (obligatory) NEUBM-101 1-2 I 1/4 years

B&M Symposium 2 NEUBM-102 1-2 I 1/4 years



Scientific seminars, conferences, symposia


Research visit NEUBM-106 2-3 Throughout the year

Scientific publications not included in the thesis


3. Transferable skills Health-997 10 cr

General competence / transferable skills courses are mainly organized by Doctoral School in Health Sciences (DSHealth) in the following areas: . Communication and teaching . Management & entrepreneurship . Career planning and development . Legislation . Basic research tools and skills . Other general competence /

transferable skills studies

Health-

Laboratory Animal Science NEU-603 1-5 I-II every year

B&M seminar on scientific presentation

NEUBM-701 2 III-IV every second year

Public outreach in neuroscience NEUBM-702 1-4 Throughout the year

every year

B&M Student Council / Board Member NEUBM-703 2-4 Throughout the year

every year

Critical analysis of scientific publication

NEUBM-311 1-2 II every second year

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NEUBM-998 Subject-specific studies (> 30 cr)

Book examinations

. NEUBM-010: Book exam 1, 5 cr (obligatory)

. NEUBM-011: Book exam 2, 1 - 5 cr (optional)

Developmental neuroscience

. NEU-531: Developmental Neuroscience, 5 cr

. NEU-231 Mechanisms of regeneration and aging, 5 cp

. TMED-202: Regenerative Medicine from Bench to Bedside, 5 cr

. GMB-305: Stem cells and organogenesis, 5 cr

. ILS-110: Growth factors and their receptors, 3 cr

Excitability, synaptic transmission and neuronal networks

. NEU-101: Cellular physiology, 5 cp

. NEU-102: Cellular neurobiology, 5 cp

. NEU-104: Integrative neurobiology, 5 cr

. NEU-502: Synaptic Signaling and Plasticity, 5 cr

. NEU-541: Introduction to neurobiophysics, 5 cr

. NEU-543: Brain slice electrophysiology, 5 cr

. NEU-542: Electrophysiological techniques, 5 cr

Disorders of the nervous system

. NEUBM-211 Microglia in health and disease, 3 cp

. NEUBM-301: Biological psychiatry 1, 1 - 3 cr


. NEU-521: Basic mechanisms of nervous system diseases, 1 - 5 cr

. NEUBM-303: NeuPhar 1, 2 - 5 cr

. NEUBM-304: NeuPhar 2, 2 - 5 cr

. PROV-502: Neuropharmacology, 5 cr

. NEU-522: Pre-clinical models of neurological diseases and emerging therapies, 5 cr

. NEU-524 (TMED-406): Translational psychiatry, 5 cp

Sensory and motor systems

. NEU-551: Sensory Biology, 5 cr

. NEU-552: Studies of sensory performance in animals and humans, 5 cr

. NEUBM-533: Functional neuroanatomy, 3 cp

Neuroimmunology, neuroendocrine systems and sleep

. NEUBM-205: Advances in neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation, 3 cr

. NEU-524 (MED-TOU11): An Introduction to Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology, 2.5 cp

. NEU-525 (MED-TOU25): Interdisciplinary insights into sleep and circadian rhythms, 2.5 cp

Cognition and behavior

. NEU-103: Systems neuroscience, 5 cp

. NEU-512: Animal models in behavioral neuroscience, 5 cr



. TMED-402: Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychobiology Journal Club, 2 cr

. NEUBM-208: Summer School on Cognitive Neuroscience, 3 - 6 cr

. NEU-511: Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience, 5 cr

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Systems and computational neuroscience

. NEUBM-310: Brain Dynamics, 3 op

. NEUBM-309: Computational neuroscience, 2 - 5 op

. NEU-511: Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience, 5 cp

. E4260 Generation and Analysis of Brain Signals (Aalto University)

Other elective field-specific courses

. NEUBM-610: Big questions in neuroscience and current limits of knowledge, 1 - 2 cr

. NEUBM-570: B&M “What’s up” Journal Club, 1-2 cp

. NEUBM-611: Milestones in the history of neuroscience, 2-5 cr

. NEUBM-612: Zebrafish neurobiology, 6 cr

. NEUBM-771: Other elective studies, 1 - 10 cr

. NEU-231: Mechanisms of regeneration and aging, 5 cp

. Relevant courses organized by Master’s Programme in Neuroscience (NEU-xxx)

. Relevant courses organized by other study programs of the University of Helsinki

. Relevant courses organized by Aalto University Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE-xxx)

Scientific seminars and activities

. NEUBM-101: B&M Symposium 1, 1 - 4 cr




. NEUBM-105: Scientific seminars, conferences, symposia, 2 - 6 cr

. NEUBM-106: Research visit, 2 - 3 cr

. NEUBM-107: Scientific publications not included in the thesis, 1 - 4 cr

. NEU-606: Neuroscience seminar series, 2 cr

. Health-125: NorDoc PhD Summit Helsinki, 1 - 2 cr

HEALTH-997 Transferable skills (10 cp)

Transferable skills courses are mainly organized by Doctoral School in Health Sciences (Health-xxx).

Complete 10 credits of general competence skills in one or several of the following areas:

. Communication and teaching

. Management & entrepreneurship

. Career planning and development

. Legislation

. Basic research tools and skills

. Other general competence / transferable skills studies

Transferable skills courses organized by B&M and Master’s Programme in Neuroscience

. NEUBM-701: B&M seminar on scientific presentation, 2 cr

. NEUBM-702: Public outreach in neuroscience, 1 - 4 cr

. NEUBM-703: B&M Student Council / Board Member, 2-4 cp

. NEUBM-311: Critical analysis of scientific publication, 1-2 cp

. NEU-415: Creative scientific thinking, 5 cp

. NEU-603: Laboratory animal science, 1-5 cp

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

NEUBM-999: Doctoral Thesis, 0 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: Three-level grading scale (lic. and doct.)

Timing Throughout the doctoral degree education

Learning outcomes During the training, doctoral candidates of the Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind will: • become well-versed in his/her own field of research and its social

significance • gain knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods

independently and critically, and the ability to produce new scientific knowledge within his/her field of research

• become conversant with the development, basic problems and research methods of his/her own field of research, at molecular, cellular, systems and behavioral levels

• gain sufficient knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines relating to his/her own field of research to allow following their progress

• acquire sufficient written and oral communication, problem solving and other related general skills required for posts requiring highly specialized expertise and international collaboration

Prerequisites Second level degree in higher education.

Contents Research and scientific work. Thesis committee meetings annually.

Assessment practices and criteria

Accepted, accepted with distinction or failed based on pre-examination and grading committee.

NEUBM-996 Licentiate thesis, 0 cr

Code NEUBM-996 Validity 01.08.2020 -

Name Licentiate thesis Abbreviation Licentiate thes

Scope 0 cr

Type Postgraduate Studies

Type Licentiate thesis

Grading Three-level grading scale (lic. and doct.)

Unit Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind

NEUBM-010: Book exam 1, 5 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale

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Course language: English

Timing Recommended to be passed during the early stages of doctoral studies.

Learning outcomes

The aim of book exams is to deepen the student's theoretical knowledge within his/her field of doctoral thesis work and to provide basic knowledge in other fields of neuroscience.

Completion methods

As agreed between the student and the responsible teacher.

Study materials and literature

The primarily recommended book is Kandel's Principles of Neural Science (latest edition). For a 5 credit examination, selected parts/chapters (consisting of about half of the book) will be agreed with the supervisor and the examining teacher. If the student has already passed a book exam on Kandel's Principles of Neural Science or Purves et al: Neuroscience, another book will be selected as agreed with the supervisor, coordinator and the examining teacher. Exam book(s) may also be supplemented with review articles.


Grading scale 0 – 5

Responsible person

Professor Kai Kaila

For a book exam on selected chapters of Kandel, the UH students can register using the code NEUBM-010 (or NEUBM-011). For other book exams, always contact [email protected] first, before registering in WebOodi. The exams are organized in Examinarium. Examples of other books for the B&M book exam: Neuropharmacology/Addiction (Examiner: Petri Hyytiä / Anni-Maija Linden / Esa Korpi)

1. Drugs, Addiction, and the Brain, Koob, Arens, Le Moal, 2014 2. Neurobiology of Addiction, Koob, Le Moal, 2006

Sleep (Examiner: Tarja Stenberg) Sleep, neuronal plasticity and brain function, Meerlo, Benca, Abel, 2015

Psychiatric diseases (Examiner: Iiris Hovatta) Charney & Nestler's Neurobiology of Mental Illness, Charney, Nestler, Sklar, Buxbaum, 5th ed., 2018

Cognitive neuroscience (Examiner: Kimmo Alho) The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Neuroscience. Volume 1: Core topics AND Volume 2: The cutting edges, Ochsner, Kosslyn, 2013 http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199988693.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199988693 http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199988709.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199988709

Neurophysiology 1) Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes, Hille B, 3rd edition 2001 (Examiner: Juha Voipio) https://www.sinauer.com/media/wysiwyg/tocs/IonChannels3.pdf 2) Cellular Physiology and Neurophysiology, Blaustein, Kao and Matteson (Examiner: Kai Kaila) 3) Medical Physiology, Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, 3rd edition 2019 (Examiner: Voipio/Kaila)

Networks of the brain (Examiner: Enrico Glerean) 1) Fundamentals of brain network analysis, Fornito et al., 2016 2) Networks of the brain, Sporns, 2010

NEUBM-011: Book exam 2, 1 - 5 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 -

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199988693.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199988693




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Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Teachers: Kai Kaila, Katri Wegelius Course language: English

Timing Optional book exam that can be taken any time during doctoral studies.

Learning outcomes

The aim of book exams is to deepen the student's theoretical knowledge within his/her field of doctoral thesis work and to provide basic knowledge in other fields of neuroscience.

Completion methods

As agreed between the student and the responsible teacher.


The exam book(s) will be selected as agreed with the supervisor and/or thesis committee members and the examining teacher. Exam book(s) may also be supplemented with review articles.


Grading scale 0 – 5

Responsible person

Professor Kai Kaila, contact person [email protected].

NEUBM-101 B&M Symposium 1, 1-4 cr (obligatory)

NEUBM-102: B&M Symposium 2, 1 - 4 cr (optional)



Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Teachers: Katri Wegelius Course language: English

Timing Annual participation in the B&M symposia is recommended for B&M doctoral candidates. Participation in one B&M symposium with poster/oral presentation is obligatory. Organized annually during the fall term.

Learning outcomes

The B&M Symposium creates a forum for researchers from different fields of neuroscience to meet, present their data and advance scientific discussion between doctoral candidates and senior researchers. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge from the symposium topics. In addition, they will learn presentation skills and have a possibility for networking with other researchers within the field.

Completion methods

Symposium lectures by international experts and alumni. Workshops and/or panel discussion on varying topics. Poster or snapshot session(s) with presentations by doctoral candidates. Participation (minimum of 80%) in the symposium sessions: 0,5-1 credits. Poster/oral presentation: 1 cr.

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The annual B&M symposium is organised by the (annually selected) B&M Student Council. For participation in the organization of the annual symposium as part of the Student Council, doctoral candidates can get credit points for transferable skills (NEUBM-307 Student council / Board Member).

Contents International interdisciplinary symposium on neuroscience including talks from international experts, panel discussion and oral/poster presentations by

doctoral candidates.


Possible optional selected literature will be provided by the organisers for the symposium participants.


Scale is pass/fail. Participation may be monitored by an attendance list or a

learning diary.

Responsible person

B&M planning officer Katri Wegelius

NEUBM-105: Scientific seminars, conferences, symposia, 2 - 6 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Course language: English Assessment practices and criteria: o Participation in the whole meeting o Poster/oral presentation o Written report after the meeting using the e-form o 2 cr / different presentation and report, max 6 credits o Pass/fail (credits will be registered when completing 6 credits or finalizing the doctoral

degree) Responsible person: Katri Wegelius

NEUBM-106 Research visit, 2-3 cr


Name Research visit Abbreviation Research visit

Scope 2-3 cr Grading Pass/fail

Type Doctor Can be taken more than once no

Type Course


Timing Throughout the year

Learning outcomes

After completing a research visit, doctoral candidates will • have an in-depth understanding of a specific research area • developed new skills and methods • have developed and improved their collaboration and interaction skills • have created a wider network of researchers and contacts

Completion methods • Research visit • Report

https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/92286/lomake.html

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Contents Visiting a research group to e.g. learn new techniques needed for the doctoral thesis project. Research visits will vary in length and content dependent on the subject area.


• Pass/fail • Feedback from the leader of the research group where the

research visit was carried out

NEUBM-107: Scientific publications not included in the thesis, 1 - 4 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: Pass-Fail Course language: Finnish, English Assessment practices and criteria: 1 credit / any scientific publication where the doctoral candidate is included 2 credits / first author publication.

NEUBM-205: Advances in neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation, 3 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Course language: English

Learning outcomes

After the course, the students will: • understand the basic principles of brain-immune interactions. • be familiar with the most commonly used experimental approaches in

neuroinflammation and neuroimmunology (animal models, imaging techniques, advanced microscopy, measurement of inflammatory mediators, cell biological approaches, etc).

• be able to apply the understanding of basic concepts and approaches in neuroimmunology to other fields of neuroscience and critically judge new findings.

• be better equipped to take neuroinflammation aspects into consideration in their own research.

Completion methods

Lectures 20 h, independent work (30h), exam

Prerequisites Basic neuroscience and physiology courses

Contents The course consists of lectures on current topics of the field, including basic lectures on the immune- and the nervous system, their interactions, the regulation of immune processes by the central nervous system and the role of inflammatory processes in brain diseases.


Course reading material will be provided by the teacher.

Responsible person

Dr. Adam Denes (contact person: [email protected])

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NEUBM-211 Microglia in health and disease, 3 cr


Name Microglia in health and disease

Abbreviation Microglia

Scope cr Grading Pass-Fail



Target group PhD students with interest/background in neuroscience MSc students with neuroscience background. Max 30 students.

Timing Spring term

Learning outcomes The course aims at students acquiring a step-wise and comprehensive

understanding of microglia in health and disease, current challenges and

opportunities.

• Outline microglial ontogeny, function and potential therapeutic use

• Evaluate current (and older) original literature

• Discuss state-of-the-art notions and applications

• Design experiments based on state-of-the-art technologies

Content The core comprises of lectures by national and international experts on

microglial biology, microglia in glioma, microglia in Alzheimer’s disease

and stroke and epigenetic control of microglia.

Completion Combination of lectures, pre- and post-lecture assignments (including independent reading of selected research articles, online questionnaires, group discussions, poster, reflective journal and a short essay). To complete the course, students need to attend all lectures and submit

all pre-assignments and assignments.


Scale is pass/fail

Responsible person Vassilis Stratoulias

NEUBM-301: Biological psychiatry 1, 1 - 3 cr

NEUBM-302: Biological psychiatry 2, 1 - 3 cr


Timing Every 1-2 years, period II or period IV

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student knows what the current themes of research in biological psychiatry are. In addition, he/she knows how to prepare and present a poster or oral talk. In addition, the student will learn to give feedback to other presenters and receive feedback regarding their own presentation. The symposium also enhances networking and possibilities for collaboration.

Completion methods

The symposium involves preparatory group or self-study before the symposium, submitting an abstract, presenting a poster or oral presentation,

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and attending talks by other presenters and the poster session. Attendance to the symposium is required to pass the course.

Contents The symposium consists of presentations of various fields of biological psychiatry, including human genetic and imaging studies, and functional, pharmacological and genetic analyses in model organisms.


Scale is pass/fail

Responsible person

Professor Iiris Hovatta

NEUBM-303: NeuPhar 1, 2 - 5 cr

NEUBM-304: NeuPhar 2, 2 - 5 cr


Target group Max 25, min 15 students, including doctoral candidates, medical students and master’s students.

Timing Every other year, period IV

Learning outcomes

Generally to give further understanding of 1. the mechanisms of action of neuropsychopharmacological drugs 2. the methods how to study the drug effects preclinically and clinically 3. the relevant disease models and main pathophysiological features of the

neurological and mental illnesses 4. the future ideas in related drug development. and especially of long-term effects of drugs of abuse on synaptic neuroplasticity, brain structure and development, and behavior.

Completion methods

- Participation in preseminar, lectures, self-study, and written examination. - Preseminar 4 h - Lectures (and discussions) 12 h - Self-study on given publications and reviews (preparation for preseminar 16 h, literature reading 23 h, examination 12 h)

Prerequisites Basic neuroscience and neuropharmacology courses

Contents The course belongs to the series of neuropsychopharmacological NeuPhar courses. The course includes lectures, student seminars on pre-selected articles and reviews (pre-seminar before two-day lecture period, and a post-seminar with written reports on the topics of the lectures, and an optional exam that is given two weeks after the course.


Participation in preseminar and lectures 50%, written examination 50% (evaluation passed/failed)

Other information

Professor Esa Korpi

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NEUBM-309: Computational neuroscience, 2 - 5 cr


Timing Fall (period 1 or 2) Every 2nd year (2020, 2022)

Learning outcomes

After completing the thesis process, the student…. • knows concepts of theoretical neuroscience and contemporary models of

mammalian brain structure and function; understands benefit of model-based experimental neuroscience; learns prominent neural simulation platforms; learns the basics of multidimensional data analysis; knows likely application in clinical medicine

• The aim is to evoke interest in the field to target further self-learning towards relevant individual application area.

Completion methods

• Seminar meetings/lectures (compulsory participation) • Course, review articles, book exam • The course consists of approximately 20h of contact teaching and 100 h of

independent studying.

Contents Thematic seminar meetings as listed below, including preceding review article as preparatory material, lecture (45 min) and seminar-type discussion (45 min) Introduction -history, motivation, aim, clinical potential Modeling neural function -biophysics -models for synapse, membrane, cell and systems Simulating neural systems -simulation platforms (NEST, NEURON, Brian2) and their strengths and weaknesses Analyzing high-dimensional data -introduction to relevant statistics and math for bioscientists -PCA, ICA, GLM, deep learning Software and hardware implementation of the models -restrictions and potential of distinct computer platforms, brain- computer interface, embedded systems Neuroinformatics -motivation, platforms, comparative neurobiology Computational neurology and psychiatry -introduction to human brain as an organ and as a network -epilepsy, schizophrenia models, simulation platform: the Virtual Brain


Evaluation 0-5, exam, activity in seminars, seminar presentations

Responsible person

Simo Vanni

NEUBM-310: Brain Dynamics, 3 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course

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Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Course language: English

Target group 1. Students of Master’s Programmes in Neuroscience and Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind. 2. Other MSc students and doctoral candidates

Timing Every other year

Learning outcomes After the course the students should be able to - Understand the concepts and basic mechanisms of neuronal oscillations and criticality. - Grasp the state-of-the-art knowledge (and its gaps) on how these phenomena are related to human perceptual, cognitive, and motor actions, and to brain disorders.

Prerequisites Basics of neuroscience, neurophysiology

Contents - General concepts of neuronal oscillations and criticality, background on underlying mechanisms. - Overview of the theories and evidence for the functional significance of neuronal oscillations and criticality in human neuronal and mental functions and dysfunctions. - Optional: participation in the Brain Dynamics Symposium


List of recommended literature will be provided for course participants.


General scale

Completion The course consists of lectures, preparation of essays/presentations, and an examination (3 cr). Participation and presentation in the Brain Dynamics Symposium (1-2 cr).

Responsible person Satu Palva, Matias Palva

NEUBM-311: Critical analysis of scientific publication, 1-2 cr

Validity: 01.01.2018 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: Pass/fail Course language: English

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students should be familiar with several forms of

publications and scientific communication; from a historical perspective,

including but not limited to peer-reviewed articles, press releases and

alternative platforms, such as social networks. They are expected to

understand how the publication process is structured nowadays, from the

scientist’s and publisher’s perspectives, what are its limitations and the

available alternatives, such as open peer-review and preprints.

Completion methods

Lectures by scientists, editors/publishers and/or communication experts. Students' reports/essays on the selected topics.

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Pass/fail

Responsible person

Plinio Cabrera Casarotto, Eero Castren

NEUBM-507 B&M "What's up" Journal Club, 2 cr


Name B&M "What's up" Journal Club

Abbreviation B&M JC

Scope 2 cr Grading Pass-Fail


Type Course


Target group Doctoral candidates and master’s students from neuroscience and relevant fields (for credits) and everyone interested in the topic are encouraged to attend.

Timing Periods I-IV

Learning outcomes

After this course, the student • has gained experience in critical reading

• has learned to participate in and facilitate constructive scientific dialogue/argumentation

• is able to reflect and communicate novel scientific findings clearly and coherently

Prerequisites Previous experience in neuroscientific research and background studies on the basic mechanisms of the nervous system (e.g. Purves at al., Kandel et.al, or similar knowledge)

Contents Each topic/article is chosen and introduced by one student after which the general discussion with other students and a visiting expert continues. The students are expected to: 1) clearly summarize the relevant and novel content of a research article 2) critically evaluate it 3) communicate and discuss the findings in the context of previous studies


The articles chosen together by the students and the responsible teachers.


Pass/Fail

Completion The student-driven journal club will be organized appr. once a month. Before each session, the students are expected to critically read the given article(s). Students will once prepare and present a chosen research article to their peers and act as a chair in the scientific discussion. Presenting student will also recruit a visiting expert (e.g. supervisor) to facilitate/contribute in the discussion. One presentation/acting as chair and attendance in 5 JC sessions will give 1 cr.

Responsible person

Eva Ruusuvuori, Henna-Kaisa Wigren

NEUBM-533: Functional neuroanatomy, 3 cr

Validity: 01.01.2020 - Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind

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Grading: General scale Course language: English


Learning outcomes

The main objective of the course is to give a survey of the major brain systems from a functional perspective. After this course the students will be familiar with the anatomy and basic function of important structures of the brain. They will be able to: 1) describe physical structures, organization, and function of important brain areas using appropriate anatomical terminology. 2) understand the development, maturation and malfunction of these structures. 3) get hands on experience with advance methods for studying brain function.

Completion methods

Lectures 18h, demonstrations 4h, independent work 57h, exam 2h

Prerequisites Basic neuroscience and physiology courses

Contents The thematic lecture blocks of the course are: 1) The limbic system 2) The frontal cortex 3) Basal ganglia 4) The geniculate gyrus 5) Temporal lobe 6) Spinal cord and peripheral nervous system 7) Vasculature 8) Brain stem and Cerebellum 9) Sensory system Practical demonstrations in in vivo optogenetics in combination with electrophysiology as well as in vivo calcium imaging: 2 session respectively (4h each).


Course reading material will be provided by the teacher.


0-5

Responsible person

Dr. Claudio Rivera

NEUBM-610: Big questions in neuroscience and current limits of knowledge, 1 - 2 cr


Timing Periods I-IV

Learning outcomes

After this course, the student knows what the current themes of research and key questions in neuroscience are. He/she is familiar with the methods used in neuroscience research and what the major scientific and technical limits of neuroscience are at the moment. He/she will know how to write an essay reflecting the content of a seminar presentation.

Completion methods

The course involves listening to lectures and writing essays. 5 lectures + essays = 1 cr, 10 lectures + essays = 2 cr. The course can be completed online in Moodle.

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Contents Prominent neuroscientists will host students in visits to their laboratories and give a lecture. The students will reflect these events in essays they write after each lecture.


Scale is pass/fail

Responsible person

Professor Iiris Hovatta

NEUBM-611: Milestones in the history of neuroscience, 2-5 cr


Timing The online part of the course can be completed any time during the year. A workshop associated to this course will be organized periodically.

Learning outcomes

The foundations of scientific thinking and research are based on their history. The student attending this course will learn that progress of science is not dictated by purely rational reasoning. Various kinds of “fashions”, “hot topics” and as well as “hype” play an important role when decisions related to the future directions of research (and to the allocation of human and material resources) are made at the level of the scientific community and the individual researchers. With the help of knowledge on the history of neuroscience, the student will also realize that theoretical frameworks as well as current terminology in neuroscience are deeply rooted in history. Thus, the present course will put neuroscientific research in a context which will encourage the student to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current concepts and future trends in her area of research.

Completion methods

· Online lectures, assignments and quizzes in Moodle to be completed independently. (2-3 cp)

· Preparing a presentation on a prominent researcher in the history of neuroscience to be presented at an annual workshop. (2 cp)

Contents Rather than providing a systematic overview of the history of neuroscience, this course will focus on some of the most important historical milestones in neuroscientific research. Examples will be taken from the biographies of individual researchers and from the history of key ideologies, concepts and paradigm shifts in neuroscience.


pass/fail

Responsible person

Kai Kaila

NEUBM-612: Zebrafish neurobiology, 6 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind

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Grading: General scale Course language: English, Finnish

Timing Fall, every other year

Learning outcomes

• The student will understand the basic biology of zebrafish, its requirements and properties in laboratory conditions

• The students can handle adult and larval zebrafish, carry out simple behavioral analysis, carry out microinjections in eggs (basics) and

• know the basic properties and neurotransmitter systems of zebrafish, understand the functional neuroanatomy of larval and adult zebrafish and

• know the most useful genome modification methods that are used in zebrafish and

• know the internet landscape of zebrafish science (ZIRC, ZFIN, EZRC)

Completion methods

• This course requires presence during the whole work week (5 days) from early morning to evening. The hands-on nature of the course requires participation in all practical sessions, because the program is split into pieces which are only useful if all parts are included.

• An exam is held in the end of the course.

Prerequisites Basic knowledge in cell and molecular biology is necessary, and the course literature is delivered before the course upon acceptance. It needs to be read before the course.

Contents The curriculum consists of basic lectures given by local scientists and zebrafish specialists, special lectures by 3 international experts from the forefront of the field, practical morning and evening lab training sessions, discussions with experts. The course literature consists of a series of reviews which describe zebrafish as a research objects, methods used, basic physiology and anatomy, and most useful disease models. An exam is held in the end of the course.


• List of required literature will be updated for each course • In addition to obligatory course literature two books are recommended


• Active participation in course. Exam evaluated on a scale 0-5.

Responsible person

Maria Sundvik, Yu-Chia Chen, Pertti Panula

NEUBM-701: B&M seminar on scientific presentation, 2 cr



Learning outcomes

After the course, the student knows how to: - prepare and give a short and to the point oral scientific presentation about his/her own research for a diverse audience - give feedback to the speaker and participate in the discussion following the presentation In addition, the seminar increases awareness of the scientific questions and methodology used within the neuroscience community and enhances networking and possibilities for collaboration.

Completion methods

Interactive seminar: about 20 h Independent work for 1-2- presentations: 25-30 h

19

Minimum 70 % attendance in the seminar required.

Contents 1st meeting: introduction to the seminar structure, introduction of participants, instructions for preparing the presentations, scheduling the presentations. (1-2h). 2nd -3rd meeting: short presentations outlining the full presentations, feedback and discussion (6-7h). 3rd-5th meeting: presentations by each participant about their research topic, feedback and discussion (7-9h)

Assessment practices

Scale is pass/fail

Other information

To further improve your presentation skills in English, you can take a DSHealth course on “Conference presentations” (organized by the UH Language Center)

Responsible person

Petri Hyytiä and Anne Panhelainen

NEUBM-702: Public outreach in neuroscience, 1 - 4 cr

Validity: 01.01.2017 - Form of study: Doctor Type: Course Unit: Doctoral Programme Brain and Mind Grading: General scale Course language: English, Finnish

Timing Runs throughout the year as agreed separately with participants, focusing mainly for the Brain Awareness Week in mid-March.

Learning outcomes

The aim of this activity is to increase public awareness of neuroscience by different social outreach activities and to give tools to doctoral candidates to communicate their research to the public audience either by presenting or in writing.

Completion methods

The activity includes independent homework, working in small groups, visiting relevant institutions and mentoring sessions by senior scientists. 1 cr for each specific social outreach activity (max 4).

Contents The specific activities include e.g. the following: visits to schools, lecture/poster presentations, popular science articles, newspaper articles and keeping a science blog. Many activities are intended to be organized during the annual Brain Awareness Week in March.


A Moodle site is provided with useful templates and links to relevant sources.


Scale is pass/fail

Responsible person

Coordinator Katri Wegelius, docent Tomi Rantamäki

NEUBM-703 B&M Student Council / Board Member, 2-4 cr


Name B&M Student Council / Board Member

Abbreviation Student council

Scope 2-4 cr

Type Doctoral programme Grading Pass-Fail

Can be taken more than once no

Unit Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind

20

Target group Doctoral candidates of the Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind Optional. The course belongs to the following module: General competence/transferable skills

Learning outcomes

After completion of the activity, the doctoral candidate has improved skills in eg. critical and analytical thinking, creativeness, risk managing, problem solving, networking, time-management, team work, innovativeness, project and financial management, science policy, societal impact, collaboration, mentoring.

Completion methods

The doctoral candidate participates in the activities of the B&M Student Council (1-year membership; main duty is to organize the annual B&M Symposium, 2 cp) or the B&M Board as a student member (2-year term; main duty is to participate in the meetings of the doctoral programme’s decision-making body, 2cp).


pass/fail, active participation and completion of the course assignments.

NEUBM-771 Other elective studies, 1-10 cr


Name Other elective studies Abbreviation Other elective

Scope 1-10 cr

Type Doctor Grading General scale / pass/fail

Type Course Can be taken more than once


Target group Students of the Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind

Contents Elective course(s) organized sporadically/once that support the doctoral training.


Scale is pass/fail.

Completion Participation and tasks accomplished according to the course description.

Responsible person Contact person: [email protected]

Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind (B&M)

Documents