Foundations in Neuroscience
| Module title | Foundations in Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC2006 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Jon Brown (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 90 |
|---|
Module description
The human brain is the most complex object in the known universe. Through its function, and that of the wider nervous system, we are able to respond to environmental stimuli and, through learning, to construct hypotheses about the world around us. These hypotheses, and many other aspects of our conscious experience, may then be shared through external communication.
To begin your detailed exploration of these processes, this module introduces functional neuroanatomy, considers some key features of molecular cell biology, and describes synaptic transmission. The basic biological concepts will be illustrated using practical elements and clinical examples from neurological disorders.
This module is mandatory for students who wish to pursue the Medical Sciences: Neuroscience pathway, but is optional to all other students provided the pre-requisites are met.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop an understanding of contemporary neuroscience through four main themes…
1. Neural anatomy: cellular diversity, functional divisions of nervous systems, macroscopic anatomy
Microstructure and macrostructure of the nervous system
Neurodevelopment
2. Neuropharmacology
Basic concepts in pharmacology
Important receptor systems in CNS signalling
3. Signal transduction and processing: membrane excitability and physiology of synapses
The neural signal – from action potential to synapses
Synaptic plasticity
4. Learning and memory
Learning and memory in simple systems
Learning and memory in complex systems
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe the basic structure of the nervous system at gross anatomical and cellular levels.
- 2. Identify how the different structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) functionally interconnect.
- 3. Define the different cell types in the nervous system and recognise their diverse developmental origins and functions.
- 4. Describe how the different cell types in the nervous system communicate.
- 5. Review and describe the principles of excitable cells including the ionic properties of membranes and how these properties are regulated in the course of cellular communication.
- 6. Describe the main neurotransmitters and their receptors in the CNS and PNS and how they may control cellular morphology, homeostasis and influence behaviour.
- 7. Describe in detail how synaptic communication occurs and it can be modulated.
- 8. Describe non-associative and associative learning
- 9. Understand, using identified examples, how neural signalling can be modulated by drugs to influence homeostasis, physiology and/or behaviour
- 10. Explain the application of experimental methods for measuring membrane properties in the laboratory.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Describe research techniques in neuroscience
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 12. Communicate concepts of neuroscience effectively using oral, written and other media.
- 13. With some guidance, select and interpret information drawn from books, scientific journals, databases and websites and begin to develop the skill of critical appraisal.
- 14. Interact effectively in a group
Syllabus plan
Lectures
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
1. Structure of the nervous system (micro and macro)
2. Neurodevelopment
3. Basic concepts in pharmacology
4. Neurotransmitter receptors
5. Action Potentials
6. Synaptic function
7. Learning, memory and behaviour
8. Cognition
Practicals
- Introduction to electrical recording from nervous tissue
- Assessment of the impact of neuromodulators on behavioural responses.
Journal club sessions
You will be in groups, facilitated by a PhD student or postdoc. These sessions will be held every 2 weeks and last 2 hours. Each one will be based around one of the 4 central themes outlined above. For each session, you will be asked to read a research paper based around the central themes selected by the module leads.
Techniques Lectures
These will be one hour lectures delivered at appropriate times in the module, as indicated below, and delivered by expert researchers. These seminars aim to introduce you to how research in neuroscience is done using real examples of techniques that researchers here in Exeter use.
Examples may include the following (but are subject to change depending on the expertise available at the time of delivery):
- Microscopy and animal models (delivered during ‘Structure’)
- Electrophysiology and computational methods (delivered during ‘Signalling’)
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 120 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 12 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 2 | Techniques Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | Small group learning: Journal club |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 6 | Practicals |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Lecture preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Lecture review and reflection |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Practical write-ups |
| Guided Independent Study | 25 | Journal club sessions preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Journal club sessions review and reflection |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Revision |
| Guided Independent Study | 25 | Wider reading |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical 1 write up | 1000 words | 1-12, 14 | Written |
| Practice short answer questions | 3-5 questions | 1-11 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Answer Question and essay Examination | 60 | 2 hours | 1-13 | Oral |
| Practical write up | 30 | 1000 words or equivalent | 1-12, 14 | Written |
| Journal club contribution | 10 | n/a | 11-14 | Oral |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Answer Question and essay Examination (60%) | Short Answer Question and essay Examination | 1-13 | Ref/def period |
| Practical 2 write up (30%) | 1000 word or equivalent write up on provided data | 1-12, 14 | Extension (varies) |
| Journal club critical contribution (10%) | 1000 word critical evaluation | 11-14 | Ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
If you miss 3 or more journal clubs, you must provide mitigation for your absence to obtain a deferral. In the case of deferral of the Journal club contribution assessment, students will be required to a write a 1000 word summary of one of the papers.
Students with ILPs referencing difficulties in group participation will be offered the option to do the re-assessment in lieu of a Journal Club contribution score (i.e. a 1000 word critical evaluation). These individuals will be contacted at the start of the module and asked to choose between these two options.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
The recommended texts for the module are posted on the electronic learning environment
Basic reading:
1. ‘From Neuron to Brain’ 5th Edition (2012), Nicholls et al, ISBN: 978-0878936090
2. ‘Pharmacology’ 8th Edition (2015), Rang et al, ISBN: 978-0702053627
3. ‘Barr's The Human Nervous System: An Anatomical Viewpoint’ 10th Edition (2013), Kiernan and Rajakumar, ISBN: 978-1451173277
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Other resources:
‘Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics’ 4th Edition (2013) Field, A; ISBN: 978-1-4462-4918-5
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | At least one of: BIO 1342 Microbiology and Cells 1 CSC 1001 Integrated Clinical Sciences 1 PSY 1202 Introduction to biological psychiatry
|
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 21/07/2014 |
| Last revision date | 16/08/2017 |
