Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 01 - Neurobiology Section: Course Introduction & Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness (Part One) - (Standard Track & Honors Track)

This unit begins with a Course Overview video from Ralph Lydic, Ph.D., followed by the first portion of the Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness lecture, delivered by Helen Baghdoyan, Ph.D. PLEASE NOTE: Only the Course Overview video, and the Getting Started and Syllabus readings are required for students who have chosen to engage in the Standard Track portion of the course content. Standard track students may also bypass all content in units 2, 3, and 4, and instead move directly to unit 5 after viewing the Course Overview video.

Unit 02 - Neurobiology Section: Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness (Part Two) - (Honors Track)

Unit 2 continues the lecture from Helen Baghdoyan, Ph.D. on the Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness. PLEASE NOTE: This content is only required for students who have chosen to pursue the Honors Track certification.

Unit 03 - Neurobiology: Mathematical Modeling of Sleep-Wake Regulation - (Honors Track)

Unit 3 continues the Neurobiology section of the content with a lecture from Victoria Booth, Ph.D. on the Mathematical Modeling of Sleep-Wake Regulation. PLEASE NOTE: This content is only required for students who have chosen to pursue the Honors Track certification.

Unit 04 - Neurobiology: Molecular Biology and Genetics of Sleep - (Honors Track)

Unit 4 closes out the Neurobiology section with a lecture from Chiara Cirelli, Ph.D. on Molecular Biology and the Genetics of Sleep. PLEASE NOTE: This content is only required for students who have chosen to pursue the Honors Track certification.

Unit 05 - Medicine: Overview of Sleep Medicine - Ronald Chervin, M.D. - (Standard Track)

Unit 5 marks the beginning of the Medicine section of the course. This unit features an overview of Sleep Medicine from Ronald Chervin, M.D.

Unit 06 - Medicine: Disordered Sleep and Breathing Alters Cardiovascular Health - (Standard Track)

Unit 6 continues the Medicine section of the course, featuring a lecture from Helena Schotland, M.D. exploring how Disordered Sleep and Breathing may alter Cardiovascular Health.

Unit 07 - Medicine: Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders - (Standard Track)

Unit 7 further continues the Medicine section of the course with a lecture on the relationship of Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders from Eric Nofzinger, M.D

Unit 08 - Medicine: Insomnia: Causes and Consequences - (Standard Track)

Unit 8 further continues the Medicine section of the course with a lecture from Christopher Drake, Ph.D. on the causes and consequences of Insomnia.

Unit 09 - Medicine: Treatments for Insomnia - (Standard Track)

Unit 9 further continues the Medicine section of the course with a lecture from J. Todd Arendt, Ph.D. on the range of available treatments for Insomnia.

Unit 10 - Medicine: Sleep and Anesthesia - (Standard Track)

Unit 10 brings the Medicine section of the course to a close with a lecture on Sleep and Anesthesia delivered by George Mashour, M.D.

Unit 11 - Society: Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Health - (Standard Track)

Unit 11 kicks off the Society section of the course with a lecture on Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Health from Theresa Lee, Ph.D.

Unit 12 - Society: Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Need - Thomas Roth, Ph.D. (Standard Track)

Unit 12 wraps up the final section of the course and the Society section of the content with a lecture on Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Need by Thomas Roth, Ph.D.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the most up-to-date information on the biological, personal, and societal impact of sleep

Taught by Ralph Lydic, Ph.D. and Helen Baghdoyan, Ph.D., renowned experts in sleep science

Develops a cellular-level understanding of sleep-related physiology and disorders

Emphasizes the importance of sleep for personal and societal health and safety

Delivers content through a multi-modal format, including videos, readings, and discussions

Reviews summary

Highly praised sleep science course

Learners say this course on Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society is largely positive, engaging, and offers a comprehensive view of sleep research. Well-received lectures cover sleep's neurobiological, medical, and societal aspects. The course is highly recommended for learners of all levels who want to advance their knowledge of sleep.

Course is very detailed and covers wide range of topics related to sleep.

"This course is a complete and wide vision about a very important theme."

"This is a comprehensive course that covers many aspects of sleep in great detail."

"The course is very good, teachers are so prepared and understandable, the arguments are a lot of specific and put me curiosity."

Expert instructors present material clearly and professionally.

"Excellent course - Comprehensive knowledge from experts in a highly digestible format."

"really good - fantastically knowledgeable teachers, evidence based and interesting."

"Outstanding balance of neurobiology and relevant clinical content!!! Way better than my medical school!"

Many learners highly recommend this course to others interested in sleep.

"Amazing course! Loved it."

"This course is one of the best on the Coursera platform."

"I'm a PhD candidate in Neuroscience and I work on the circadian rhythm dysfunctions in Parkinson's Disease. The lectures were very interesting and useful for me and I have learned a lot so far,"

Course requires a significant time commitment, especially for those in Standard Track.

"Unable to take the units I am interested in on the standard track."

"This course is way too technical for people in the Standard Track."

"Was very informative sessions."

Some learners find course material overly technical, especially in neurobiology section.

"The neurobiology section is the only part that is worth the effort, but more importantly than everything else, time."

"Content is too lengthy i.e too many topics and lengthy explanation."

"It’s a bit out of date. Please add some update information."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society with these activities:

Refine scientific writing skills

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Enhance ability to write clear and concise scientific reports

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Review style guide and grammar rules
Revise a scientific paper or report

Compile sleep study resources

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Gather and organize relevant research materials for future reference

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Search databases for sleep-related studies
Review abstracts and select relevant articles
Organize articles by topic or research question

Engage in peer discussion

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Exchange ideas and learn from diverse perspectives

Browse courses on Sleep Disorders

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Form a study group with classmates
Discuss assigned readings and case studies
Present research findings to the group

Three other activities

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Practice insomnia treatment techniques

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Develop practical skills in managing sleep disturbances

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Read about different insomnia treatments
Practice relaxation exercises before bed

Mentor students or individuals with sleep-related concerns

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Reinforce knowledge and develop empathy by guiding others

Browse courses on Sleep Disorders

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Volunteer at a sleep clinic or support group
Provide guidance on sleep hygiene and disorder management

Contribute to sleep research

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Gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis

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Identify a research project or contribute to existing studies
Collect data using surveys or sleep monitoring devices
Analyze and interpret data to contribute to scientific literature

Career center

Learners who complete Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sleep Technologist

A Sleep Technologist plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the medical and societal implications of sleep disorders. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Sleep Technologist, as you will need to be able to understand and interpret the results of sleep studies and develop treatment plans for patients with sleep disorders.

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Neurologist

Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, which will be essential for your success as a Neurologist. You will need to be able to understand the complex interactions between the brain and the body, and how these interactions can affect sleep and wakefulness.

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Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the relationship between sleep and psychiatric disorders. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Psychiatrist, as you will need to be able to understand how sleep disorders can affect mental health, and how mental health disorders can affect sleep.

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Pediatrician

Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the unique sleep needs of children. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Pediatrician, as you will need to be able to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in children, and to provide guidance to parents on how to promote healthy sleep habits in their children.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the impact of sleep disorders on daily functioning. This knowledge will be essential for your success as an Occupational Therapist, as you will need to be able to assess the impact of sleep disorders on your clients, and to develop treatment plans to help them improve their sleep and overall function.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications and providing information about their use. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the effects of medications on sleep. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Pharmacist, as you will need to be able to advise patients on the potential effects of medications on their sleep, and to recommend non-pharmacological treatments for sleep disorders.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the assessment and management of sleep disorders. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Registered Nurse, as you will need to be able to assess and manage sleep disorders in your patients, and to provide education and support to patients and their families.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to cope with difficult life situations, such as poverty, mental illness, and addiction. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the impact of sleep disorders on mental health and well-being. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Social Worker, as you will need to be able to assess the impact of sleep disorders on your clients, and to develop treatment plans to help them improve their sleep and overall well-being.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Health Educator, as you will need to be able to educate people about the importance of sleep, and to develop and implement programs to promote healthy sleep habits.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news and current events. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the societal implications of sleep disorders. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Journalist, as you will need to be able to write and report on the latest developments in sleep research, and to educate the public about the importance of sleep.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues, and make recommendations for policy changes. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the societal implications of sleep disorders. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Policy Analyst, as you will need to be able to understand the impact of sleep disorders on public health and safety, and to develop policy recommendations to address these issues.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including science, math, and social studies. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the importance of sleep for learning and memory. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Teacher, as you will need to be able to understand the impact of sleep on your students' learning, and to create a classroom environment that promotes healthy sleep habits.

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Ergonomist

Ergonomists design workspaces and products to be safe and comfortable for users. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the impact of work environment on sleep. This knowledge will be essential for your success as an Ergonomist, as you will need to be able to understand the impact of work environment on sleep, and to design workspaces that promote healthy sleep habits.

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Lighting Designer

Lighting Designers design lighting systems for a variety of spaces, including homes, offices, and public buildings. This course can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the impact of light on sleep. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Lighting Designer, as you will need to be able to understand the impact of light on sleep, and to design lighting systems that promote healthy sleep habits.

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Architect

Architects design buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for you as an Architect, as it can help you build a foundation in the neurobiology of sleep and wakefulness, as well as the impact of building design on sleep. This knowledge can be useful for designing buildings that promote healthy sleep habits.

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