Methods in Neuroscience
| Module title | Methods in Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEU1010 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Bex Smith (Convenor) Dr Yuktee Dogra (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to essential methods and skills needed for your development as a neuroscientist. You will learn about the scientific method, from the history and philosophy of neuroscience to the contemporary research landscape. You will receive training in different aspects of experimental design, hypothesis testing, data analysis and presentation. In addition, you will be introduced to key science communication skills such as how to find and read scientific research literature, scientific writing, and presentation skills. This module will have a strong emphasis throughout on ethics, research integrity and reproducibility in science.
This is a compulsory module for BSc Neuroscience students.
This module is not suitable for non-specialist students.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide a foundation of key neuroscience skills. This module introduces the key principles of safe laboratory practices, experimental design and basic laboratory techniques, data handling, analysis, and presentation, and key the skills of literature searches and scientific communication. You will gain a good working knowledge of scientific writing, critical appraisal and referencing, and effective visual representation and statistical analysis of experimental data. These skills will be applied throughout your degree programme.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of what it means to work safely in the laboratory and to gain competence in basic laboratory procedures
- 2. Understand and perform statistical analysis of neuroscience data.
- 3. Understand basic methods used in neuroscience and their application.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate knowledge of how to design a good experiment, with a focus on ethics, integrity, and reproducibility.
- 5. Perform data handling and exploration, basic statistical analysis, and presentation of neuroscience data
- 6. Comprehend and explain current scientific knowledge, with appropriate referencing.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Demonstrate professional conduct in laboratory and other environments
- 8. Use on-line literature databases to gather scientific information.
- 9. Communicate to expert and non-expert audiences using written, oral, and visual means
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Lectures
There is a lecture every week, covering the topics described below and delivered by a suitably-qualified member of staff. In the first week, there is an introductory lecture to describe the module in detail, including the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs), assessment procedures, laboratory practical, workshops, and other practicalities.
Lectures will explore the following topics:
- History and philosophy of science
- Ethical issues in neuroscience research
- Principles of experimental design
- Methods in neuroscience
- Statistics, data handing and data presentation
- Key research skills and scientific communication
Laboratory Practicals
Throughout the year there will be seven laboratory practical sessions, with the first practical focussing on laboratory safety.
In term 1, you will learn the basics of laboratory safety and basic laboratory techniques. Examples of topics that may be covered include:
- Laboratory safety and record-keeping
- Pipetting
- Dilutions
- Laboratory calculations and making stock solutions
In term 2, you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in term 1 to a series of laboratory practicals related to common laboratory techniques. Examples of techniques that may be covered include:
- Neural cell culture
- Histology
- Basic molecular biology e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Statistics Workshops
These sessions aim to provide you with key data handling and analysis skills. Across seven workshops during the module, you will perform statistical analysis along with a lecturer who will provide practical demonstrations. Indicative topics that may be covered include:
- Data handling and data types
- Measures of significance
- Basic statistical methods
- Assumptions of statistical tests
- Data interpretation
- Data visualisation
Small Group Seminars
In nine facilitated seminars interspersed regularly through the module, you will work with others to review and consolidate your learning on the topics covered in lectures. During these sessions, you will work together in groups to discuss a variety of topics and complete tasks including:
- Evaluating scientific papers and modes of science communication
- Reviewing laboratory key skills
- Carrying out data interpretation exercises
- Discussing specific focus points set by the lecturers
At the end of the module, you will be assessed on the content of the lectures and seminar sessions in a final exam made up of multiple-choice answer and data interpretation questions. In the final week of the module there is a one-hour exam information and preparation lecture.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 14 | Laboratory-based practical classes (7 x 2h) |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 20 | Lectures (20 x 1h) |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 18 | Seminars on academic skills (9 x 2h) |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 14 | Statistics workshops (7 x 2h) |
| Guided Independent Study | 110 | Reading and preparation for practical sessions and seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Analysing data sets and preparing figures |
| Guided Independent Study | 44 | Assessment preparation: Writing practical report and writing paper abstract. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online multiple-choice quizzes | 5-10 MCQs per practical or workshop | 1-5 | Written Online |
| Term 1 seminar participation | Reflecting contribution across all the term 1 seminars and assessed using programme-wide contribution criteria. | 1-9 | Written or verbal (on request) |
| Laboratory notebook entry from a term 1 practical | 1,000 words maximum | 1-5, 7, 9 | Written model answers |
| Writing an abstract of a paper | 250 words | 1-6, 8, 9 | Written (model answer) or verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 35 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics and data interpretation MCQ examination | 35 | 2 hours | 1-4, 6 | Written (on request) |
| Writing an abstract of a paper | 10 | 250 words | 1-6, 8, 9 | Written or verbal |
| Seminar participation | 5 | Reflecting contribution across all the seminars, and assessed using programme-wide contribution criteria. | 1-9 | Written or verbal (on request) |
| Practical write up | 50 | 1500 words | 1-9 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics and data interpretation MCQ examination (35%) 2 hours | Statistics and data interpretation MCQ examination | 1-4, 6 | Ref/Def period |
| Writing abstract of a paper (10%) (250 words) | Writing abstract of a paper | 1-6, 8, 9 | Ref/Def period |
| Seminar participation (5%) | 1,000 word essay on one seminar topic | 1-9 | Ref/Def period |
| Practical write up (50%) (1500 words) | Practical write-up | 1-9 | Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
Students who are deferred in any element of the coursework will submit the original assessment.
Students who are referred in the coursework will submit in the ref/def period a new equivalent assessment e.g., write up of a different practical and/or an abstract of a new paper, from the one originally assessed.
If you miss 3 or more seminars, you must provide mitigation for your absence to obtain a deferral. In the case of deferral of the seminar contribution assessment, students will be required to a write a 1,000 word essay on one seminar topic. Students with Individual Learning Plans referencing difficulties in group participation will be offered the option to do the re-assessment in lieu of a seminar contribution score (i.e., a 1,000 word essay). These individuals will be contacted at the start of the module and asked to choose between these two options.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
“Statistics for dummies” – Rumsey, ISBN 9781119293521
“Writing for Science Students”?– Boyle & Ramsey,?ISBN 9781137571519
“Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection” – Cottrell, ISBN 9781137550521
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 19/02/2021 |
| Last revision date | 25/06/2021 |
