Syllabus

NSCI 250: Syllabus

Spring 2025

Cap: 24 students

Prerequisite: NSCI 201 and permission of the instructor

Room: Med Center 2-8130 (Neurosurgery conference room)

Day/Time: Mondays 2:00-4:40 pm; recitation Friday 12:00-1:30 (via Zoom)

Course Description

This upper level elective course provides unique perspectives on the clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of acquired brain injuries and diseases, along with their epidemiology and basic research findings, including those gleaned from associated animal models. It is intended for highly motivated students in their senior year with a strong inclination toward medical school or other clinical practice. The student will learn about clinical diagnostic methods, practice differential diagnosis and treatment planning through simulated (virtual) cases, and shadow clinicians as part of this course. Students will also engage with primary research literature to understand underlying pathological mechanisms for diseases such as stroke and cancer, as well as neuropathic pain and traumatic brain injury.

Textbook

None; PDF articles will be provided via BlackBoard

Shadowing

Students will complete one shadowing experience, which consist of about 3-4 hours of clinical exposure. These can be in the operating room or either the inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation clinic (or other clinic setting). Students will write a one-page paper on their expectations due prior to the shadowing experience, as well as a one-page summary of the experience afterward. This must be a new shadowing experience completed during the spring but does not strictly have to be with one of the guest lecturers in the class. It should be brain-related.

OR: Dr. J. Stone, Dr. Bhalla, Dr. Bender
Clinic: Dr. Marsella, Dr. Madathil, Dr. Busia, Dr. Ma, Dr. Huang, Dr. Bazarian, Dr. Mohile, Dr. Hemminger, Dr. R. Stone, Dr. Mongiovi

Students will submit their Top 2 choices to BB by Jan 30. If you are interested in shadowing someone not listed here, please ask me.

Grading

Grades will be based on participation, shadowing reports, and a final exam.

  • 50% participation
  • 20% shadowing reports
  • 30% final exam (short answer style) during Finals Week