Frontiers in Neuroscience
| Module title | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEU3008 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Anna Migdalska-Richards (Lecturer) Professor Katie Lunnon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 72 |
|---|
Module description
This module focuses on the neurobiology of disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, the module explores the ways in which recent research has answered questions about the operation of the nervous system, yet also posed new questions. In particular, the module highlights the potential for further progress in deciphering and repairing neural circuitry by considering some of the reasons effective treatments for many neural disorders remain elusive.
The module focuses on eight important disorders of the nervous system, utilising these to understand both pathology and normal physiology. The course is delivered by leading experts working in each of these disorders and will allow you to work with these researchers to identify key outstanding questions in neuroscience and formulate a literature review to investigate your chosen disease area. This module will equip you with the theoretical, analytical, and methodological skills necessary for postgraduate work or study in industrial or academic environments.
This is a compulsory module for final year students of the BSc Neuroscience or BSc (intercalated) Neuroscience Programme. The pre-requisite for this module is NEU1006 Introduction to Neuroscience(formerly CSC1006) . However, in exceptional circumstances where you can demonstrate sufficient background knowledge you may be permitted to take “Frontiers in Neuroscience” NEU3008 (formerly CSC4008) without these prerequisites, but only after discussion and agreement with the module lead in advance of module selection. This module is not suitable for non-specialist students.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Through a critical exploration of primary literature, you will develop an understanding of the normal physiology of the nervous system and how this goes awry in a range of neurological disorders. You will understand how these neurological disturbances may be treated by current therapies and through an appreciation of the latest discoveries and cutting-edge technologies consider what the future may hold for improved and novel treatments. Learning the limitations of investigative approaches in light of the complexity of the nervous system will enable you to understand the key challenges facing neuroscience and the value of an interdisciplinary approach. Critically assessing these issues will provide the basis for the generation of a relevant research hypothesis which you will be able to justify in terms of relevance to human health and the appropriate tools required.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Appreciate, and be able to outline, some conceptual milestones in the history of neuroscience
- 2. Describe the key clinical symptoms and prognosis for eight specific disorders of the nervous system
- 3. Describe the cellular pathology of a range of disorders of the nervous system
- 4. Describe the molecular pathology of a range of disorders of the nervous system
- 5. Explain the wider aetiology of nervous system disorders and the therapeutic options available.
- 6. Explain the wider aetiology of nervous system disorders and the therapeutic options available.
- 7. Critique recent and emerging priorities for research in Neuroscience.
- 8. Identify the question that Neuroscience research should prioritise answering within the next ten years.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Discuss how the challenges in data collection faced in Neuroscience are being tackled
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Apply critical thinking to the analysis of arguments and the evaluation of evidence
- 11. Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
- 12. Produce clear scientific writing.
- 13. Demonstrate effective oral presentation and explanation of results.
Syllabus plan
The main component of the module is a series of two-week blocks focussed on different diseases, which are led by researchers at the University specialising in these diseases. Subsequently, you will undertake a literature review focused on a disorder of their choice.
Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Term 1, Weeks 1-2:
- Introduction to the course and a re-cap of the principles introduced in Foundations of Neuroscience, NEU1006. This is in the format of a 2 hour lecture with staff that delivered the foundations module.
- Introduction to key concepts and terminology used in Frontiers in Neuroscience. This is in the format of a 2 hour lecture.
Term 1, Weeks 3-12 and Term 2, Weeks 1-6:
Over a series of two-week blocks you will investigate eight different disorders of the nervous system. These will likely comprise the following, though the topics and their order may change depending on the availability of staff:
- Topic 1: Autism
- Topic 2: Schizophrenia
- Topic 3: Alzheimer’s disease
- Topic 4: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Topic 5: Parkinson’s disease
- Topic 6: Channelopathies
- Topic 7: Depression
- Topic 8: Prion diseases
Within each two week block you will have three contact sessions:
- At the start of each topic, lecture slides, journal club paper and tutorial questions, set by your expert lecturer, will be released on ELE.
- In the first week you will have a 2 hour lecture, which begins by giving a broad introduction to the condition, its prognosis and typical treatment. The second part of the lecture considers in detail one aspect of current research related to the condition.
- Later in the first week you will attend a journal club, which will cover a paper set by the lecturer. Students will be divided into groups of up to 12 and assigned a neuroscience researcher at the University of Exeter, as a mentor. Within the journal club you will work together with the mentor to discuss a current paper aligned to the disorder being studied. The paper will be chosen to enhance your knowledge, and is not simply a repetition of the lecture content. For example, this might focus on a key or controversial issue.
- In the second week you will attend a tutorial session, run by your facilitator, and present your findings from your SDL.
Term 2, Weeks 7-10:
At the end of the eight topics you will research one topic further by undertaking a literature review under the supervision of the topic’s expert lecturer.
You will sign-up for these topics using ELE and will be able to rank the different topics by preference. We will aim to assign everyone to one of their top 3 ranked choices, wherever possible.
You can meet with the expert lecturer during timetabled drop-in sessions, which will usually be held in week 7 and week 9 to discuss the direction of your literature review.
End of Term 2:
At the end of term 2 we will hold a workshop to prepare you for the examination. During the session we will run through previous exam papers and discuss how best to answer the questions.
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 | 22 | Lectures (11 x 2 hour); delivered online as a series of short-videos |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 8 | Question and answer session for each content-block (8 x 1 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 16 | Journal Club (8 x 2 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 16 | Tutorials (8 x 2 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 4 | Literature Review - Supervisor Meetings (2 x 2 hour) |
| Guided Independent Study | 54 | |
| Guided Independent Study | 48 | |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | |
| Guided Independent Study | 92 |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lay Abstract for Journal Clubs | Peer Marking | 1-7,9,13 | Oral and Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 45 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Exam | 45 | 2.5 hours, completed in a 24 hour window | 1-6, 9-13 | Written (on request) |
| Engagement with Journal clubs | 5 | N/A | 1-11,13 | Written |
| Engagement with tutorials | 5 | N/A | 1-13 | Written |
| Extended Literature Review | 45 | 3000 words | 1-10,12 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Exam | 2.5 hours, completed in a 24 hour window | 1-6,9-13 | Ref/def period |
| Engagement with Journal Clubs | 300 word lay abstract for each session missed (5%) | 1-11,13 | Ref/def period |
| Engagement with Tutorials | Submitting answered tutorial questions (3 from each topic missed) (5%) | 1-12 | Ref/def period |
| Extended Literature Review | Extended Literature Review (3000 words) (45%) | 1-10,12 | Ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
BASIC MODULE READING:
- ‘Principles of neural science’, eds. Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell
- ‘Pharmacology’, eds. Rang, Dale, Ritter
TOPIC SPECIFIC READING:
Specific reading for each topic will be made available on ELE.
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Browne, M, Keeley, S (2006) Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking
- Gowers, E Greenburn S, Whitcut J (2004) The Complete Plain Words
- Okasha, S (2004) Philosophy of Science: A very short introduction
- Trask, R (2004) The Penguin Guide to Punctuation
- Weston A (2009) Rulebook for Arguments
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | NEU1006 |
| Module co-requisites | N/A |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/02/2021 |
| Last revision date | 25/06/2021 |
