NEUROSCIENCE: FROM MOLECULES TO MIND - 2023/4

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 around 4 intricate topics: neuroendocrinology, sleep, neuroplasticity and neurodegeneration. 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 tutorial. 

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

Indicative content includes:

• Lectures will be interactive and various digital tools (e.g., Kahoot!, Poll everywhere, Surrey Learn) will be used to support student active engagement (e.g., self-testing, further prompting discussion)


• Topics include
  
  
  
  • Introductory material, which will be important for students without L5 BMS2048 neuroscience pre-requisite
  
  
  • Introduction to neuroendocrinology (e.g., control of appetite, puberty, stress) and complex brain functions (sleep, brain plasticity), which complement, build upon and link lectures from L5 Neuroscience in L5 (BMS2048), L5 endocrinology (BMS2038) and L6 Biological Rhythms (BMS3066)
  
  
  • A more in-depth overview of brain disorders across the lifespan (Neurodevelopment and Neurodegenerative diseases) that were briefly introduced in L5 neuroscience.
  
  
  
  


• An assessment that has been specifically designed to develop critical thinking in a setting that encourages interactions, discussions and use of feedback during the entire semester.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire key skills essential for research-led position (employability), such as critical thinking and synthesis of large body of information:

• 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 that integrate concepts and knowledge across several lectures of the module (40%)

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative feedback is provided to the students personally and via digital means:

• during the tutorial sessions


• via SurreyLearn (discussion boards, updates, emails)


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


• during 1:1 meeting upon request

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
• Enable students to integrate information from multiple topics to address and critically evaluate a neuroscientific question
• To develop knowledge in analytic methods in neuroscience, with a potential for transferability to other biological disciplines (e.g., -omics)

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 analysis, as well as integration of knowledge via the tutorial sessions. Tutorial sessions provide the opportunity for 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:

• 
  A balanced blend of Lectures and Tutorials to allows students to revisit and consolidate the knowledge acquired on a weekly basis.
  


• 
  Formative assessments and class discussions during tutorials, which include quizzes, open discussion of lecture content and small group learning, and the detailed discussion of assessments
  


• 
  Some captured content will provide additional material and information related to lectures. Via weekly discussions, this extra material will be used for guided learning during the weekly Tutorials.
  

• 
  Independent learning to revise lecture content, write coursework and prepare for examinations
  

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

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in

Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and

Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop

knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

 

Resourcefulness & resilience: the assessment for this module is heavily based on the

research and understanding of scientific papers and their criticism based on current knowledge.

The student will thus apply and enhance previously acquired skills in essay writing and combine

it with critical thinking. During the module, the student will have ample opportunities to reflect on

their progress using SurreyLearn discussion board, weekly tutorials, and personalised

feedback.

 

Digital capabilities: This module will use online polls to assess knowledge and understanding

of key concepts e.g., Kahoot! PollEv, SurreyLearn. The students are expected to engage with

online material and resources via SurreyLearn, which will be discuss weekly during tutorials.

Students will develop the capacity to browse and critic scientific media content. Introduction and

discussion about online resources will also take place to familiarise students to available

research database.

 

Employability: The module equips students with knowledge and skills required in research in

general (e.g., critical thinking, read and understand a scientific papers, scientific writing) and

neuroscience in particular (e.g., methods, brain function in health and disease). Real life

examples are presented whenever appropriate to allow transfer of skills. The acquisition of

these research and scientific tools span over the entire semester and can be tailored to

individual difficulties as many opportunities are given to students to ask questions to the lecturer

team on specifics using the SurreyLearn platform or during tutorials.

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 2023/4 academic year.