Expectations

• General understanding of the fields studying the neural basis of :

learning and memory, sleep and ‘top-down’ processingemotion and motivation, neuroendocrine function,

and brain-body interactions (autonomic, stress responses)

• Knowledge of key techniques

• Understanding of canonical (example) mechanisms

• Current issues/debates

‘Should be able to recognize most poster titles at SFN.’

Format

• Several weekly papers to read and discuss, including review article(s)

• Presenters will choose one among primary literature articles.

Each presenter will have 30 minutes to present, plus discussion time.

• Unclear concepts will be covered following presentations

• A preview of terms and concepts for the next weeks’ readings will be introduced.

Some presentation tips

The point is to communicate effectively

• Speak slowly and clearly

• Don’t apologize for problems, delays, just get on with it

• Engage your audience!

• Use slides as graphical aides….

Presentation slides - formatting• Use minimal text, and large font (24+)

• Pick a font and stick with it throughout

• Use non-figure graphics sparingly, and only to improve clarity/harmony of presentation.

• Simple, high-contrast color schemes are best. Busy templates distract from figure content.

• Keep slides simple

• Each slide should have a single theme, stated upfront

• For slides with several elements, use ‘custom animation’ to display sequences.

• Introduce or outline the talk at the beginning, so audience knows what to expect.

• Before moving from a series of slides on one point, to

a series on another point, don’t forget to summarize.

• Cite the source of figures; acknowledge contributing people and funding agencies. Not sure? Ask me.

Presentation slides - content

• Focus on authors’ main points, points of contention/issues with– Methodology– Conclusions drawn based on data obtained

• Synthesize: Integrate with themes for the session, or from previous modules in the course

• Give take home messages

Presentation slides - content