Neuroanatomy

[JelloBrain]

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I was wondering if someone could give me some idea of how much neuroanatomy is taught at the pre-med level? I have been invited to teach the curriculum for Spring-2011, but haven't been given the syllabus yet. I would like to know the extent/depth of knowledge imparted to the pre-medical students on this subject, mainly so that I can figure out my time commitments with a full-time job on hand already.

I understand that it may vary from college to college, but I just want a general idea. Thanks.

 

[Kevin Baker]

Is it a full course on neuroanatomy or is this just a module?

 

[JelloBrain]

Is it a full course on neuroanatomy or is this just a module?

Honestly, I don't know yet. All I know is that it is for the upcoming Spring semester. But I want to at least get an idea so that when I discuss it with my current research boss, I can work out a suitable plan to accommodate this teaching session. I might not be able to devote more than 10-15 hours per week for this-preparation and teaching session together, so don't want to commit without some idea about the syllabus. I didn't train in the US, so I am unaware of pre-med requirements, but I don't want to lose this opportunity due to being under-informed. Just trying to get whatever info you guys might have.

Thanks.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Its very unlikely you'll go into any great detail about neuroanatomy for pre-meds. Maybe for neuroscience majors or in an A&P 1 class where you need to know cranial nerves, lobes, pathways, and functions. For the average pre-med they more or less max out at needing to knowing what a neuron is.

 

[mtbtx]

The only neuroanatomy I was exposed to in undergrad was one section in A&P

 

[Kevin Baker]

I took a few classes with neuroanatomy modules. I can look up the powerpoints later, but the most intense class (which was maybe 1/3 a semester of neuroanatomy) the prof had us dissect sheep brains, and focused on the major parts of the major systems (Cerebrum,Cerebellum,Limbic System,Brain Stem), had us focus on the lobes, the major fissures, a few pathways (visual and auditory), the dura mater, pia mater, and the arachnoid mesh, and a few transmitter systems. We also very briefly covered the ventricles. Also, we went over basic anatomy terms (distal, ventral, rostral, caudal, etc.) and ipsilateral/contralateral. At the undergrad level, I think function is much more stressed than anatomy (e.g what area of the brain would you test if you wanted to see if someone was drunk, what area of the brain controls arousal, what area of the brain is responsible for fear memory).

Also, for some reason, every class mentions Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia. The Brodmann areas might be fun to focus on. I wish I had that in undergrad

 

[JelloBrain]

Thank you all for the pointers. So looks like it might be nothing major that I have to worry too much about preparing for.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Neuro majors at my school take an entire class on neuroanatomy, and it is a pretty difficult class. It doesn't go into the same depth as a medical school class would, but it is known as the one of the hardest classes in the major. Tons of memorization, and testing is based on application instead of regurgitation of facts. If you're teaching it as a section of a broader class (A&P, Gen Bio, etc.) then it is probably just basic knowledge of signaling, basic anatomy- parceled areas of cortex relating to function, and examples of common diseases.

 

[st2205]

I remember they posted syllabii online at http://neuroscience.byu.edu when I was in undergrad. Hopefully that can give you an idea.

 

[JelloBrain]

Vandy Premed-Thanks for your info. Now I know to ask whether teaching Neuroanatomy is part of General Biology or whether it is a stand-alone major. If it is the latter, then I need to think hard about time-commitments, though I would have great fun teaching it.

st2205-Thanks for the syllabus link-gives me some ideas.

I will have to make a decision by the end of this year, and I hope to have all information to hand before then.

Thanks again, you all have been very helpful, I am glad I posted my query here.

 

[rxlea]

My neuroanatomy class was pretty involved and, like the above poster, we dissected sheep brains. We had to learn all the parts of the brain and had a lab practical in which we had stations of dissected brain with toothpicks in specific spots that we had to identify in 10 seconds. Then we had to look at slices of rat brain under the microscrope and essentially draw/map out the entire rat brain based on the slides. We also had to present a few journal articles on neuroanatomy and talk about structure/function. Although it was an "anatomy" class, the prof went pretty heavy duty into physiology. It was interesting but also challenging. It was an elective for my psych degree, believe it or not.

 

[JelloBrain]

I thought I'll post an update for all of you who kindly helped me with your advice. The course did turn out to be very intense, and it would have been difficult to fit in with my current commitments, so I will not be teaching it. However I will be doing a series of guest lectures and will be mainly focusing on clinical aspects. I hope to have fun and get people to fall in love with the brain like I did.