NEUROSCIENCE: FROM MOLECULES TO MIND - 2022/3

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 the tutorial sessions and coursework assessment. In addition, evaluation of skills for understanding and interpretation of scientific data will be addressed throughout all research-led lectures and coursework assessment. 

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

SEIBT Julie (Biosciences)

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

This module is organised in three topical blocks.

• Introduction Block “Setting the scene”
  
  
  
  • Introduction
  
  
  • Tutorial on assessment
  
  
  • Methods in neuroscience (model systems, neuro-omics)
  
  
  
  


• Block 1 “Neuroendocrinology”:
  
  
  
  • The blood brain barrier
  
  
  • Control of appetite
  
  
  • Control and timing of puberty
  
  
  • Stress and the brain
  
  
  
  


• Block 2 “Complex brain functions”
  
  
  
  • Sleep and endocrine system
  
  
  • Sleep and brain functions
  
  
  • Sleep disorders
  
  
  • Physiology of brain plasticity
  
  
  • Physiology of learning & memory
  
  
  
  


• Block 3 “Brain disorders across the lifespan”
  
  
  
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  
  
  • The ageing brain
  
  
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  
  
  
  

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 structured essay with a fixed number of words limit

Summative assessment

The 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.

This assessment (100% of the module mark) has a coursework format and consists of 2 parts:

1. One written critical discussion of a research paper (60%)


2. Short answers to questions (40%)

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative feedback is provided to the students:

• during the tutorial sessions


• via SurreyLearn (discussion boards, updates, emails)


• by providing feedback on coursework essay draft (strengths and improvement areas)

Module aims

• 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
• To develop skills to think and evaluate critically current hot topics in Neuroscience

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 (19h, 3 times per week)


• Tutorial sessions (7h distributed at the end of each week/teaching block). 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 2022/3 academic year.