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Neuroscience Journal Club
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:47
Abstract
In this course students will learn about specialized topics and novel methods in neuroscience by critically reading and presenting scientific journal articles. The articles will focus on the “Neurobiology of Stress” topic and cover relevant preclinical neuroscience techniques (behavior, molecular, omics, brain imaging, circuit manipulations, genetic manipulations, electrophysiology, etc.).
Objective
By the end of the course, students will be able to critically review scientific papers published in top neuroscience journals. Specifically, students will be able to 1) identify strengths & weaknesses, useful techniques and take-home messages; 2) Prepare and structure slides to distil a complex scientific subject into a clear presentation; 3) Analyse and review the scientific techniques used in a peer-review research publication; 4) Perform a literature search within a scientific area; 5) Describe the scientific background for a new topic of research; 6) Summarize key points of a paper, from experimental details to big picture questions.
Content
This Neuroscience Journal Club is designed for Master and PhD students interested in neuroscience. Students will critically read and review a topical research article and present appropriate background, the article itself, and their critique of the work. The diversity of topics selected will make this an important learning opportunity for the presenters and attendees with regard to the latest techniques and approaches in neuroscience. Structure: In the first lecture, students will receive a general introduction to methods and techniques commonly used in neuroscience, and learn the key skills to critically analyze and review a scientific paper. In the second lecture, the instructors will give a journal club presentation to provide an example of how a “journal club” should be structured. All other lectures are devoted to the journal club presentations given by the students. Depending on the number of enrolled students, groups of 1-2 students will select papers from a pre-selected list of high-impact publications. Each week, one group presents their paper, the presenters should show up 15-20 minutes before their scheduled presentation to set up their laptop. Workload: 2h of class per week (attendance in person required), plus 16 - 20 h for preparing your own journal club (1 per semester), plus 2-3 h for reading other group’s papers and preparing questions. Active participation: Each week, students who are not presenting are expected to read the article in its entirety in a critical manner, and participation in class will be assessed. Students are expected to ask (or answer) at least one question per week (13 in total).
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 24
- Signup End
- 15.09.2026
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Neuroscience Journal Club
Attendance at the first two lectures is mandatory! (18.09. & 25.09.2026)
|
No time listed | 2 h weekly |