Course Syllabus

SPH-K 543: Cortical Control Of Human Movement

Many areas of the brain contribute to the control of movement.  Through lectures and discussions of primary literature, this course will examine our current understanding of the cortical and sub-cortical motor structures of the brain.  The student will learn the anatomy and physiology of these structures, their contributions to motor control, and the movement deficits that result from stroke or trauma to these regions.  We will cover the primary motor cortex, premotor cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum, and basal ganglia, and we will discuss posterior parietal cortex and the role of sensory information and neural networks in motor control.  We will also do a short writing assignment that students can submit to Neuro Forum, a publication of the Journal of Neurophysiology.

Class schedule (subject to change):

All required and optional readings will be provided in the appropriate module on the Canvas site for this course.  PowerPoint slides for each lecture will also be provided.

Grade

Grades will be assigned according to the following: 93-100% A;  90-93% A-;  87-90% B+;  83-87% B;  80-83% B-;  77-80% C+;  73-77% C;  70-73% C-;  67-70% D+;  63-67%D;  60-63% D-; <60% F.

• 20% participation¹
• 15% presentations²
• 45% exams (15% midterm, 30% final)
• 20% mini review³ (15% your mini review, 5% peer review)

¹ Even if not presenting the paper, each student is expected to participate (voluntarily or as called upon by the instructor) in the classes in which we discuss a paper.  Attendance and participation in the paper discussion classes are required and will count toward your participation grade.  The instructor will give each student (who is not presenting) a 0 or 1 each time.  A student who is absent, does not participate, or has clearly not read the paper will receive a 0. 

² Each student will present 2 of the 11 papers and guide the discussion on those two days.  The presentation should include slides and should cover:

1. background
2. overview of method, results, and authors’ conclusions
3. criticisms or weaknesses of the methods, results, or conclusions
4. significance or importance of the paper

Detailed guidelines for the presentations are listed in the Resources folder of the course website.

³ Each student will write a mini review (2300 words max) of a current topic in motor control neuroscience.  Students will choose their own topics, subject to the instructor’s approval.  After the mini reviews are due (Dec. 2), students will be assigned each other’s work to review.  In class on Dec. 9, we will discuss and give feedback on each mini review.  Students are encouraged to revise their mini review according to the class’s suggestions and submit it to Neuro Forum, which is a publication of the Journal of Neurophysiology intended for graduate students and postdocs: http://www.the-aps.org/mm/Publications/Journals/JN/Neuro-Forum-Guidelines.html.  This is a great opportunity to get a peer-reviewed publication early in your graduate career, and a chance for the whole class to experience the review and publication process.

Course policies and procedures

1) Attendance will be taken at the instructor’s discretion. Various assignments will be given periodically in lecture. Make-ups will not be allowed for those assignments missed due to absence.

2) Make-up exams may only be scheduled if: an arrangement is made prior to the exam with the instructor’s permission; or a valid medical excuse is presented to the instructor within one week of the exam.

3) A grade of incomplete (I) will only be given in emergency circumstances (e.g., illness).

4) Academic and personal misconduct by students in this class are defined and dealt with according to the procedures in the Code of Student Ethics.

5) It is the policy of the School of Public Health to evaluate all courses taught in the School. Final student course evaluations will be conducted in a manner that maintains the integrity of the process and the anonymity of the evaluators.