About this course: Learn how the nervous system produces behavior, how we use our brain every day, and how neuroscience can explain the common problems afflicting people today. We will study functional human neuroanatomy and neuronal communication, and then use this information to understand how we perceive the outside world, move our bodies voluntarily, stay alive, and play well with others.
Who is this class for: This class is designed to be self-contained and accessible to anyone, from non-scientists interested in the material to those who have already had some formal training in neurobiology.
Created by: The University of Chicago
Taught by: Peggy Mason, Professor
Neurobiology
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The Nervous System
Neurobiology is a rapidly growing area of scientific research, and is becoming increasingly prevalent in the news and popular culture. In this course, we will study of the nervous system from a biological perspective by exploring the fundamental concepts in n...
17 videos, 3 readings
Graded: The Nervous System
WEEK 2
Neural Communication + Embodied Emotion
Neurons are the cells of the nervous system responsible for communicating, relaying, and integrating information. Neurons "talk" to other neurons through a special type of language that involves electrical signaling within individual neurons, and the use of ch...
17 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Neurocommunications
WEEK 3
Neuroanatomy
Neuroanatomy tells us how the nervous system is organized. Understanding the form of the brain is essential to understanding its function. By comparing the structure of the brain with a patient's symptoms, neurologists are able to identify the location of ce...
26 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Neuroanatomy
WEEK 4
Perception and Vision
Perception is how the brain interprets incoming stimuli. Not all stimuli that can be sensed are perceivable, and sometimes those that can be perceived play tricks on us. The systematic ways that stimuli are interpreted (or misinterpreted) show how well the b...
26 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Perception and Vision
WEEK 5
Hearing
The sound of birds chirping in the morning, a babbling brook or crashing waves on the beach, or warm conversation with the ones you love. The experience of all these things requires the ability to hear. Arguably the most important sense for human communication...
16 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Hearing
WEEK 6
The Vestibular Sense & Gaze
The vestibular system and gaze control give us so much but are grossly under appreciated. They are so fundamental that we discount them, assuming that they will always be there. When the vestibular system fails us, its importance dominates our lives. Living wi...
16 videos, 2 readings
Graded: The Vestibular Sense & Gaze
WEEK 7
Voluntary Movements
"Voluntary movements are how we interact with the world. The organization of the motor system has implications for how we move, and the types of movements we can make. This module we'll start to explore the organization of the motor system, from neurons to m...
18 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Voluntary Movements
WEEK 8
Motor Modulation
You should now have an understanding of how muscles function to initiate movements. However, the brain requires more than just the cerebral cortex to determine what movements to perform and to make those movements smooth and guided. This module, we'll explore ...
19 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Motor Modulation
WEEK 9
Homeostasis
Although our bodies are very robust and we can live in a range of environments, our brain requires very specific conditions to function properly. Homeostasis is the active process by which our nervous system regulates internal conditions, such as blood pressu...
13 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Homeostasis
WEEK 10
Abstract Function
You've now learned an incredible amount about the way the brain functions to perceive and act upon the world we live in. You've gained an understanding of neurobiology on a cellular level, and how many diseases and disorders of the nervous system can affect ou...
18 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Introduction to Abstract Function
Graded: Final Project
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Ratings and Reviews
fantastic really very very good .. the method of explanation is so interested with high quality of subjects
Peggy Mason is my hero.
I wanted a basic knowledge of the brain mechanisms to better understand perception and drug effects. I learned much more and I am so happy!
Prof Mason is a wonderful teacher that is able to make everything interesting using real-life examples and also some funny things from time to time.
I think that what I learned is going to be useful in every aspect of life, both theorical and practical.
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Excellent course. Learnt a great deal. Thank you