NEUROSCIENCE: FROM MOLECULES TO MIND - 2020/1

Module code: BMS3064

Module Overview

The Neuroscience module is following the Neuroscience FHEQ Level 5 which provided the bases in Neuroscience. This second module will run over one semester and will provide students with a comprehensive research-led overview of several current hot topics in Neuroscience built in three blocks. Emphasis will be placed on integration of knowledge from the different areas presented in the lectures, specifically during three of the tutorial sessions. In addition, evaluation of skills for data analyses and interpretation of scientific publications will be addressed throughout all research-led lectures, the first tutorial and coursework assessment. 

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

WINSKY-SOMMERER Raphaelle (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 122

Lecture Hours: 22

Tutorial Hours: 6

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS2048 Neuroscience: From Neurones to Behaviour Or BMS2046 Pathology and Medicine Or BMS2047 Pharmacology: Introduction to Drug Action Or BMS3055 Advanced Pharmacology Selected Topics in Drug Action

Module content

Indicative content includes: this module is organised in three topical blocks


  • Introduction Block “Setting the scene”



                             Introduction

Tutorial on coursework

Model systems, incl. computational modelling, used in Neuroscience research


  • Block 1 “Neuroendocrinology”:



Neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamusTutorial: how do scientists study neuroendocrine function?

                              Kisspeptin

Control and timing of puberty

Control of appetite

Control and consequences of stress


  • Block 2 “Complex brain functions”



Interaction between sleep and the endocrine system

Contribution of sleep and circadian rhythms to higher brain functions

Sleep disorders

Brain basis of the reward system

Brain mechanisms of orientation and migration

Cellular and molecular correlates of plasticity

Plasticity during lifespan

Learning and Memory


  • Block 3 “Ageing & brain disorders”



Neurodevelopmental disorders

The impact of physiological ageing on the brain

Neurodegenerative diseases associated with ageing

Other neurodegenerative diseasess

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework COURSEWORK: ONE WRITTEN CRITICAL DISCUSSION OF A RESEARCH PAPER 30
Examination EXAMINATION (2 HOURS): ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS OUT OF A CHOICE OF FOUR 70

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate


  1. Via the coursework, to assess the student’s ability to



- Critically evaluate and analyse the intellectual and technical aspects of scientific data from published literature;

- Use efficiently electronic data bases

-Apply knowledge on methods and concepts in a new context

-Write a short, structured essay with a fixed number of words limit.

 


  1. Via the examination, to assess the student’s ability to




  • Recall and relate knowledge from different Neuroscience areas and thereby demonstrate integration of information and critical reflection on lecture contents



 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Coursework (30%): assessment of cognitive and analytical, presentation and written skills. This is assessed based on Structure, clarity and production of the essay

  • Examination (70%): assessment of subject knowledge, based on content, integration of knowledge, structure and clarity

  • Provisional coursework deadlines week 28



 

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative feedback is provided to the students:


  • during the tutorial sessions by the lecturer(s) running these sessions

  • via SurreyLearn with notes posted on the module page, or via emails to the whole student cohort

  • by providing feedback on coursework essay (listing the good points and which aspects to improve) and examination scripts

  • via the Examination feedback sheet posted on SurreyLearn.


Module aims

  • To cover the relationship between the endocrine system and nervous system, with emphasis on current hot topics in Neuroendocrinology and Neuroscience
  • To expand the understanding of complex brain functions with emphasis on areas of expertise within active research programmes in the FHMS
  • To expand the understanding of normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system and the underlying molecular bases
  • To obtain a strong base in neurobiology

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Appreciate the variety of novel model systems used in Neuroscience research KCT
002 Have a working knowledge of the role of the endocrine system in a whole range of physiological processes ranging from neuronal input to complex behaviours KCT
003 Appreciate the contribution of sleep to the endocrine system and brain functions KCT
004 Have an understanding of learning & memory, and plasticity KCT
005 Gain insight into brain plasticity and its functional relevance to learning and memory, as well as brain functions and neurodisorders KCT
006 Have a working knowledge of the brain basis of reward, orientation and migration KCT
007 Have a working knowledge of ageing and several neurodisorders including neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative disorders KCT
008 Have a working knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of brain disorders and the ageing brain KCT
009 Use electronic databases to selectively access information PT
010 Be able to critically evaluate the intellectual and technical aspects of published literature CPT
011 Show capacity for independent, critical thinking CP
012 Write an essay of 1000 words in a structured and scientific manner CPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide the students with knowledge via the set of lectures, whilst promoting the development of personal skills relating to critical assessment of data and analyses, as well as integration of knowledge via the tutorial sessions. Tutorial sessions provide the opportunity to students to define their difficulties or points where they would value feedback which is then timely delivered by the lecturer.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Lectures (22h, 3 times per week)

  • Tutorial sessions (6-h distributed at the beginning of the module, and then at the end of each of the 3 topic blocks). All tutorial sessions are highly interactive to provide the opportunity to students to ask questions and develop their critical skills.


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS3064

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Biomedicine with Data Science BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biomedicine with Electronic Engineering BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biochemistry BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biochemistry MSci (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.