Course detail

Welcome to The Human Brain

PhD programme: Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience

This course provides an integrated, research-oriented examination of human brain anatomy, progressing from fundamental structural concepts to advanced anatomical organization underlying cognition, behavior, perception, and neurological disease. The content of the course is designed to accommodate students entering neuroscience from different disciplinary backgrounds while developing the analytical depth expected at the PhD level.

The course begins with the gross anatomy of the central nervous system, introducing the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum, spinal cord, ventricular system, meninges, and major vascular territories. Students learn or repeat the anatomical terminology and three-dimensional relationships required to interpret neuroanatomical specimens and modern imaging data. Particular attention is given to cortical and subcortical organization of the forebrain, including basal ganglia, hippocampal formation, and amygdala.

At the microscopic level, the course examines neuronal and glial organization, cortical lamination, cytoarchitecture, nuclear organization, and the structural principles governing grey- and white-matter architecture. Major ascending and descending pathways are analyzed in terms of their origins, trajectories, targets, functional significance, and clinical consequences of disruption. Students are introduced to contemporary concepts of connectomics, network organization, and the relationship between anatomical connectivity and functional brain systems.

The course also integrates neuroanatomical methods, including histology, tract tracing, immunohistochemistry, stereology, diffusion MRI, functional neuroimaging, and computational approaches to structural connectivity. Students critically assess the strengths, limitations, resolution, and inferential assumptions of these methods.

Throughout the course, anatomy is connected to neurology and neuroscience research. Lesion studies, neurodegenerative disorders, developmental abnormalities, vascular pathology, and brain tumours provide clinically relevant contexts for understanding structure–function relationships.

Form of evaluation: Examination.

Literature: Textbooks in English (or Danish) covering theoretical brain anatomy, brain dissection, brain imaging, and microscopic analysis.

Organizer: Professor Torben Moos, email: tmoos@hst.aau.dk

Lecturers: Professor Carsten Bjarkam, professor Torben Moos

ECTS: 3

Dates: 27, 28 & 29 January 2027 (08.15-16.15)

Place:

City: Aalborg University, Selma Lagerløfs Vej 249, 9260 Gistrup

Number of seats: 25

Open for enrolment: 1 November 2026

Deadline for enrolment: 6 January 2027

Important information concerning PhD courses:

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before the start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment; all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.

You may find more information in our FAQ: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/local/page/faq

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.