Professor LaFerla participates in teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. His primary teaching responsibilities are focused on the molecular and genetic aspects of neuroscience, including the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease.

At the undergraduate level, he teaches classes that are available to biology and neurobiology majors. Here he participates in teaching the core introductory course in neurobiology and behavior (#110 ), a team taught course in which he teaches the first section of the class focused on molecular and cellular neuroscience. He also offers teaches an advanced undergraduate course focused on molecular neurobiology (course 154), which is taught in alternate years. In addition, he also supervises many undergraduate students participating in independent research.

At the graduate level, he teaches and coordinates the first course in the graduate core curriculum that is focused on molecular neuroscience ( 206 ). He also teaches an advanced graduate seminar-type course in neurogenetics (258 ).

110 Neurobiology and Behavior. Lecture. Consideration of the evolution of behavior, including ethological and psychological aspects and analysis of neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neurophysiological, and neuroendocrine systems underlying basic behavioral processes. (Taught in alternate years).

154 Molecular Neurobiology (Neurogenetics). Lecture. Genetic basis of neurological development and disorders. Focuses on the methods used to identify novel, neurologically-relevant genes and their analysis on a molecular level. Attention to understanding how genetic changes alter normal cellular functions and the subsequent impairment and clinical consequences. (Taught in alternate years)

199 Undergraduate Research in Molecular Neuropathogenesis. Students participate in independent research under the supervision of a senior graduate student or postdoctoral researcher. Further information regarding research opportunities in the lab and how to apply can be found on our web link. [ Click here ]

206 Molecular Neuroscience. (Graduate Core). Introduction and critical analysis of molecular neuroscience. Topics focus on the neurobiological aspects of genomics/proteomics, RNA and protein targeting, protein trafficking, protein degradation, and molecular developmental neuroscience. Course meets 3 days a week, 2 class periods are devoted to lectures and one period for critical analysis of current papers. (Taught every year).

258 Advanced Analysis of Neurogenetics. Seminar. Analysis of the genetic basis of neurological development and disorders. Emphasis on the approaches used to identify novel, neurologically relevant genes and analysis on the molecular level. Focuses on understanding how genetic changes alter cellular functions and the clinical consequences that ensue. (Taught in alternate years).