209537 Supplementary Module: Neural Basis of Behaviour (S+Pr) (WiSe 2014/2015)

The graduate students will do a project in one of the following research areas: (1) Information processing by neurons and neuronal circuits, (2) Neuronal mechanisms underlying acitve vision; (3) Visually guided behaviour of insects in the context of spatial cognition and learning. Methods that can be learnt: (1) Electrophysical techniques (intra-, extracellular recording techniques); (2) functional imaging of intracellular activity; (3) quantitative behavioural analysis, e.g. by using high-speed digital video techniques; (4) modern approaches of data analysis; (5) modelling of neuronal information processing and visually guided behaviour. Research Module A can be used as preparation for the Masters Project.

Important note: The Supplementary Module and the two Research Modules must be taken in at least two different departments. The Research Module may be taken in fields related to the graduate program in other Biology departments, but also in other faculties. A weekly seminar (Thursday 17:15 - 18:45) for all students of the Graduate Programme "Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution" will be an integral part of the Supplementary and the Research Modules. This seminar shall have the following goals:

• Scientists from other research institutions will be invited to give talks and discuss their results with the graduate students.
• The students of the Graduate Programme will present the project plan and results of their research projects and discuss them with the other graduate students and the supervisors. Discussions will focus on the projects themselves, but also on presentation techniques.
• Conceptual, methodological and statistical issues relevant in any research areas involved in the Masters Programme will be discussed.
• General issues of science management, such as designing scientific projects or writing a grant application, will be trained.