Curriculum
IMPRS for Brain and Behavior curriculum comprises both theoretical and practical hands-on training.
BIGS Lecture Series:
BIGS faculty present their latest research in this thematically organized series. The BIGS Lecture Series takes place ten times during each semester and is oriented towards providing first insights into cutting edge techniques in neuroscience. Each semester covers one of the following topics: Neural circuits and dendritic integration, Glia and non-neuronal cells, Neurological diseases, Neurodevelopment, Essential techniques, and Cognition and systems neuroscience.
MPFI Seminar Series and Meet the Speaker Club:
Internationally renowned scientists will visit MPFI to present their latest research covering a broad range of topics in neurobiology. The Meet the Speakers Club will meet in conjunction with the MPFI seminar series. Invited speakers are asked to provide background papers on the research to be presented at the seminar. Students will meet prior to the seminar and present these papers. The goal is for students to understand the methodology and logic of the research to stimulate more active participation in the lecture series. A lunch with the speaker will follow the lecture.
Mini-Units are 1-2 day courses designed to provide students with an appropriate foundation in essential techniques/capabilities. They are intended to complete the first year curriculum, but may also be taken at a later stage.
Mini-Unit 1: Ethics in research
Taught in conjunction with the Institute for Science and Ethics at Uni Bonn or at FAU (mandatory for all students).
Mini-Unit 2: Statistics
Course on applied statistics in the computer lab of Uni Bonn’s Graduate School of Medical Neuroscience, complemented by homework/assigned problems and will be provided online for students in Florida.
Mini-Unit 3: Animal handling/husbandry
Taught in conjunction with the Haus für Experimentelle Therapie (HET) and the Animal Resource Center (ARC) at MPFI.
Mini-Unit 4: Advanced Microscopy
Taught in conjunction with the Microscopy Core of the DZNE and the Light Microscopy Core at MPFI.
Mini-Unit 5: Programming and data analysis
Hands-on course in the computer lab of Uni Bonn’s Graduate School Medical Neuroscience covering Matlab, Igor, and ImageJ and will be provided online for students in Florida.
Mini-Unit 6: Advanced Electron Microscopy
Taught at the Electron Microscopy Core at MPFI.
Mini-Unit 7: Atomic Force Microscopy in Neuroscience
Taught at the Yasuda Laboratory at MPFI