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1st Academic Year: The Basics
In the undergraduate lectures 1 and 2, students will be introduced to general biological
concepts that every biologist must know: Cell biology, Systematics and Evolution. Of special
importance for the study of Neurobiology are the courses 'Zoology A + B'. Here students can
observe how the senses in animals have become increasingly powerful in the course of evolution,
how initially simple then more complex nervous systems developed and how eventually the nervous
systems of vertebrates organised themselves. The non-biological minor subjects will demand a
great deal of time for students in the first year of study. For the study of Neurobiology
these subjects are important because Neurobiology is an interdisciplinary field of research,
i.e. students will have to work with concepts and methods from the domain of Chemistry,
Physics and Mathematics. Chemistry, in particular, is essential. Students have to be familiar
with Molecular Biology as well as Biochemistry in order to work in the field of Neurobiology.
Another essential area for the study of Neurobiology are the subjects 'Physics A + B' where it
is important to pay particular attention to the study of electrical circuit theory and optics.
In the undergraduate course 'Mathematics for Biologists' the main aim is to gain an overview of
the most commonly used procedures for calculation in Biology. The study program in the first year
is crammed with information and the subject matter is difficult. Yet, if you are still interested
in attending seminars we recommend:
- Sinnesorgane, Sinneszellen, Sinnesleistungen
(Senses, sensory cells, sensory activity)
- Biochemie und Physiologie des Alltags
(Everyday Biochemistry and Physiology)
A recommendation: you should attempt to complete the entire first year program in the
first two semesters. This will help you to gain more time in the following semesters to
concern themselves more intensively with the study of Neurobiology.
2nd Year: Introduction into the Molecular Biosciences
Undergraduate lectures 3 + 4 form the main part of the study of Biology. Here students will
familiarize themselves consecutively with Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Cell Biology,
Developmental Biology as well as Physiology of animals and plants. These lectures (5 hours per week)
are so comprehensive that it will be necessary for students to revise the subject material with the
help of textbooks. With the exception of Plant Physiology, all subjects are of vital significance
for the study of Neurobiology! It is therefore important that students make the best use of these
lectures. The undergraduate course 'Methods of Molecular Cell Biology' offers an introduction into
the working methods of bioscience labs. Here students will learn fundamental skills for biochemical,
molecular biological and microbiological work. In the undergraduate course 'Experimental Physiology
and Developmental Biology' students will conduct basic neurobiological experiments: students will
examine neuromuscular control, measure the speed of signal propagation along different axons and
examine the performance of their own senses. From the offer of lab courses we
recommend for students with a neurobiological interest especially:
- Tierphysiologe 1 + 2
(Animal Physiology 1 + 2)
- Einführung in Gentransfer-Techniken
(Introduction to Gene Transfer Techniques)
- Computergestützte Datenanalyse in der Molekularbiologie
(Computer-Aided Data Analysis in Molecular Biology)
- Grundkurs Bioinformatik
(Basic Course in Bioinformatics)
- Live Imaging von Säugerzellen
(Live Imaging of Mammalian Cells)
Students can find a comprehensive list of seminars in the university calendar. We recommend
the following seminars an especially relevant for the study of Neurobiology:
- Introduction to Neuroscience
- Instrumente und Techniken der Biowissenschaften
(Instruments and Techniques of the Biosciences)
- Grundlagen der Entwicklungsneurobiologie
(Foundations of Developmental Biology)
- Entwicklung des Nervensystems von Modellorgansimen
(Development of Nervous Systems of Model Organisms)
- Versuchstierkunde
(Experimental Animal Science)
- Sinnesorgane, Sinneszellen, Sinnesleistungen
(Senses, Sensory cells, Performance of Senses)
- Signaltransduktion in Sinneszellen
(Signal Transduction in Sensory Cells)
- Bioinformatik: Genome, Chips und Datenbanken
(Bioinformatics: Genomes, Chips and Data Bases)
- Transformation, Transfektion, Infektion
(Transformation, Transfection, Infection)
When choosing their main practical classes students have to decide whether or not they want to participate
in the introductory pracs E1 (Nucleic Acids) and E 2 (Proteins). Attendance at these pracs is
always worthwhile, but not essential for the Bachelor of Biology. If students obtain the impression
that they have attained a good basis in molecular biosciences following the lectures of the bridging
and intensive courses, then they might want to consider skipping pracs E1 and E2 and instead
immediately participate in neurobiological oriented group pracs (HP-E, HP-F). It is best for students
to consult a lecturer about strategies that suit each individual. We recommend the following group
pracs for the 2nd year:
- HP-E1: Nucleic acids
- HP-E2: Proteins
- HP-E: Methods of Cell Biology: Light Microscopy
- HP-E: Experimental Neurophysiology
- HP-E: Behavioural and Molecular Studies of Drug Effects
3rd Year: Neurobiological Direction
With the 'cycle lectures' relating to the topics 'Molecular Cell Biology', ' Biochemistry' and
'Molecular Biology', students will be able to intensify their knowledge in the fundamental subjects of
the modern Biosciences. The following cycle lectures deal especially with neurobiological contents:
- Funktionelle Neuroanatomie: Das Gehirn des Menschen
(Functional Neuroanatomy: The Human Brain)
- Zellbiologie 4: "Molekulare und zelluläre Neurobiologie"
(Cell Biology 4: 'Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology)
- Sinnesphysiologie - vom Ionenkanal zum Verhalten
(Sensory Physiology - From Ion Channel to Behaviour.)
In 3rd Year students should take the opportunity to get to know neurobiological work groups and work areas.
This is best done in main pracs and seminars. For this students have the choice of a few group pracs
(3 weeks full time):
- Experimentelle Neurophysiologie
(Experimental Neurophysiology)
- Behaviour and Molecular Investigations of the Effect of Drugs
- Zelluläre und molekulare Entwicklungsneurobiologie
(Cellular and Molecular Developmental Biology)
- Learning and Memory - Synapses and Molecules
Among the seminars that are currently advertised in the university calendar, we recommend especially:
- Signaltransduktion in Sinneszellen
(Signal Transduction in Sensory Cells)
- Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity
- Calcium signals in learning, survival and death
- Biologie der Drogenabhängigkeit
(Biology of Drug Dependence)
- Model systems of neuronal development, regeneration and degeneration
- Gentherapie für neurologische Erkrankungen
(Gene Therapy for Neurological Diseases)
- Bioinformatik: Genome, Chips und Datenbanken
(Bioinformatics: Genome, Chips and Databases)
If 3rd year students have found a work group in which they would like to complete their
Bachelor thesis, they should contact their relevant lecturer as soon as possible. Students can
find brief descriptions of neurobiological work groups including addresses in the menu under
'Research Groups'.
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