Entry requirements

120 credits in biology, chemistry or medicine, including 15 credits in cell or molecular biology.

Learning outcomes

The course is given as a research project conducted within a research group and is presented with a written report. The project should also be presented orally. In the course is included to participate in seminars and lectures at the department and to acquire theoretical knowledge on the subject from scientific papers and books. The format for this is decided together with the supervisor at the beginning of the course.

After the course the student should:

- have a basic knowledge of how current research is performed within the field of neuropharmacology

- be able to find, read and understand scientific literature within the field

- be able to perform some laboratory key technologies within the field such as quantitative real-time PCR, genotyping, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, eukaryotic cells or bioinformatic techniques

- have a basal knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying regulation of reward and appetite

- know the protein families containing the most important drug targets.

Content

The course will give advanced knowledge and practical experience in advanced and modern methods used within the fields of functional pharmacology, neurobiology and evaluation of drug targets. Examples of techniques that will be used are quantitative real-time PCR, genotyping, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, eukaryotic cells or bioinformatic techniques. The course can also, if the student has such interests and authorisation, contain animal research and work with transgenic mice.

Instruction

The course will be given in the form of a larger laboratory project, literature studies, seminars and a written report, complemented with an oral presentation.

Assessment

The course will be examined with a written report with a scientific depth suitable for a D-level course. The project will also be presented orally within the research group.

Other directives

Experimental work with laboratory animals requires authorisation equivalent to that stipulated in Swedish regulations.