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 will 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, usually the afternoon before the lecture.

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

10% Presentation²

30% Quizzes (15% each)

40% Mini review³ (30% your mini review, 10% your peer review of others)

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 one of the papers and guide the discussion on that day.  The presentation should include slides and should cover:

• background
• overview of method, results, and authors’ conclusions
• criticisms or weaknesses of the methods, results, or conclusions
• significance or importance of the paper

Detailed guidelines for the presentations are listed in paper presentation assignment.

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, peer reviewers will be assigned.  Each student will then revise their mini review according to the class’s suggestions.  Finally, each student is required to submit their work 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, or to another journal.  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.

Mini review deadlines

• Oct. 17, 2:30pm—Mini Review topic due.  You must come to class prepared to discuss and justify your chosen topic.
• Nov. 16, 2:30pm—Mini Review due.  Upload on Canvas.
• Nov. 30, 2:30pm—Peer reviews due.  You will be assigned other students’ work to critique.  Fill out a peer review form for each mini review you critique and be prepared to discuss them in class. Submit on paper.
• Dec. 15, 11:59pm—To receive a final grade for this assignment, you are required to submit your revised mini review to Neuro Forum or another appropriate publication.  Forward me the e-mail confirmation of your submission.  Here are instructions on submitting to Neuro Forum: Neuro Forum submission.pptx

Late assignments policy

Assignments up to 24 hours late will receive up to half credit (i.e., if your score is 90/100, you will receive only 45).  Assignments more than 24 hours late will receive a zero.

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.