Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development OpenCourseWare: A Free Bachelor Level Class on Neural Plasticity by MIT

Published Feb 05, 2009

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Have you ever wondered if a sea slug can learn? Can it store a feeding place in its memory? Can it find its way home? From the brains of human beings to the brains of sea slugs, students taking 'Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development' will answer those questions and many more. Offered free through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this OpenCourseWare class was part of the undergraduate curriculum for a Bachelor of Science in Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes Yes

Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development: Course Description

Within the field of Neuroscience, the study of how animals (including humans) learn and retain memories is well-researched. As an introduction to this discipline, students in 'Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development' are shown basic research and asked to study topics like how behavior affects neural transmissions and the powerful connections between the neurons in the brain. Students analyze original research, discuss the results and suggest possible areas for future study. This class was taught by five MIT professors from the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. They included Earl Miller, Guosong Liu, Matt Wilson, Susumu Tonegawa and William Quinn. 'Neural Plasticity in Learning and Development' requires only one textbook: Neuroscience, Exploring the Brain by Mark Bear, Barry Connors and Michael Paradiso.

This Neuroscience course offers an extensive reading list of published articles, lecture notes from all five professors, five take-home quizzes and links to online resources. If you are interested in this class or others that relate to learning and memory, visit this neural plasticity course page.

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