Научно-исследовательский семинар "Нейрофизиология сенсомоторных систем"

Магистратура 2026/2027

Статус: Курс обязательный (Нейробиология)

Кто читает: Базовая кафедра Института биоорганической химии им. академиков М.М. Шемякина и Ю.А. Овчинникова РАН

Где читается: Факультет биологии и биотехнологии

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 4 модуль

Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 6

Контактные часы: 30

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Abstract

The research seminar “Neurophysiology of Sensorimotor Systems” aims to develop a systematic understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying movement organisation and the organism’s active interaction with the environment. Sensorimotor systems are considered as functional systems that provide information about the environment and the body’s state, assess available possibilities, select an action, prepare and execute movement, use sensory feedback, and modify behaviour based on prior experience. The course combines in‑depth study of the main areas of sensorimotor neurophysiology with a reconstruction of the history of scientific knowledge development in this field. It covers classical and modern studies that have shaped the understanding of the reflex organisation of movements, central motor programmes, the functions of the motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia, as well as the mechanisms of sensorimotor integration, motor learning, and action preparation and selection. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the scientific question, the experimental system, the methods used, the nature of the data obtained, and the permissible limits of their interpretation. During the seminar sessions, students analyse original scientific publications in English and reconstruct the work of research groups: the initial problem, competing hypotheses, experimental design, data collection method, logic of result interpretation, and limitations of the conclusions drawn. As part of the course, students also carry out a group research project. As they progress through individual topics, the groups sequentially develop their own research programme in the field of sensorimotor neurophysiology — from formulating the initial phenomenon and research question to constructing a hypothesis, selecting an experimental system, and designing the study.

Learning Objectives

To develop students’ systematic understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the organisation of sensorimotor behaviour and the ability to analyse current scientific knowledge as the outcome of experimental research activity.
To develop skills in critically analysing original scientific publications, reconstructing research logic, comparing competing models, and evaluating the validity of scientific conclusions.
To foster the ability to formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, select appropriate experimental approaches, and participate in the collective design of a neurophysiological study.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describe the basic principles of the organisation of sensorimotor behaviour and the functions of the key components of sensorimotor systems
Analyse classical and modern models of the reflex organisation of movement, central motor programmes, sensorimotor control, and motor learning
Compare experimental data and theoretical concepts regarding the functions of the motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia
Analyse the processes of sensorimotor integration, action selection, movement preparation, feedback, and learning
Understand the capabilities and limitations of the main experimental methods for studying sensorimotor systems
Work independently with original scientific literature in English
Reconstruct the scientific problem, hypothesis, experimental design, method used, and the logic of result interpretation in a scientific publication
Distinguish between an experimental result and its theoretical interpretation; identify alternative explanations and limitations of the study
Formulate testable research hypotheses and propose experimental ways to verify them
Participate in the collective design of a research programme and present the results of group work in English in a reasoned manner

Course Contents

Movement as a Form of the Organism’s Interaction with the Environment
Reflex Organisation of Movements
Central Programmes and the Organisation of Motor Acts
Motor Cortex and the Neural Representation of Movement
Cerebellum and Predictive Control of Movement
Basal Ganglia and Action Selection
Sensorimotor Integration
Motor Learning and Plasticity of Sensorimotor Systems
Voluntary Movement, Action Preparation, and Decision‑Making
Modern Technologies for Studying Sensorimotor Systems

Assessment Elements

Seminar activity
The student’s preparation for discussing the required scientific publications is assessed, as well as their ability to reconstruct the research logic of the works under consideration, participation in scientific discussion, and work in a small project group.
Individual analysis of a scientific publication
The student selects, in consultation with the instructor, either a classic or a contemporary experimental publication in the field of sensorimotor neurophysiology and prepares a presentation in English. The objective is not to provide a summary of the article’s content, but to reconstruct the authors’ research activity: the initial problem, the state of the field prior to the study, the hypothesis, the experimental system, the methods, the nature of the data, the logic of interpretation, the limitations of the work, and a possible next experiment.
Group research project
Students work in groups to develop a research programme in the field of sensorimotor neurophysiology. The project is built progressively throughout the course and includes: a description of the phenomenon under study, formulation of the scientific problem, a functional model, a set of competing hypotheses, operationalisation of key variables, selection of the experimental system and methods, predicted results, alternative interpretations, limitations, and the next research step. The final defence is conducted in English. Each group member must understand the full logic of the project, regardless of the distribution of tasks during the preparation process. The instructor may direct questions to any group member. Individual assessment may be adjusted based on the student’s demonstrated understanding of the project and their contribution to the teamwork.

Interim Assessment

2026/2027 4th module
0.15 * Seminar activity + 0.4 * Group research project + 0.3 * Individual analysis of a scientific publication

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Zagrean, L. (2014). Principles of Neural Science. Acta Endocrinologica (1841-0987), 10(3), 529. https://doi.org/10.4183/aeb.2014.529

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Кундупьян О.Л., Фомина А.С., Бибов М.Ю. - Основы нейробиологии - 978-5-9275-4062-4 - Южный федеральный университет - 2022 - https://znanium.ru/catalog/document?id=428956 - 428956 - ZNANIUM

Course Syllabus