NEUROSCIENCE: FROM MOLECULES TO MIND - 2021/2

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

SEIBT Julie (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

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

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• Critically evaluate and analyse the intellectual and technical aspects of neuroscientific data from published literature;


• Use, reflect and integrate knowledge from the lecture content.


• Apply knowledge on methods and concepts in a new context


• Use efficiently electronic data bases


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

 

Summative assessment

Coursework (100%): assessment of analytical, synthesis, presentation, and written skills. This is assessed based on the ability to integrate a broad range of neuroscience concepts within a structured, clearly written essay.

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 draft (strengths and improvement areas) and examples of essay questions.
 

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

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

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 2021/2 academic year.