NEUROSCIENCE, FROM NEURONES TO BEHAVIOUR - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce the structure and function of the nervous system in animals and humans.Students will develop an advanced understanding of selected aspects of the nervous system and brain function.The module focuses on providing information across different levels of explanation, including single molecules, cellular, neuronal networks and complex behaviours. Students will develop their skills in understanding and synthesising scientific knowledge by presenting published neuroscientific results in video, poster, or essay format.  

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

BARTSCH Ullrich (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS1032 Introduction to Principles of Physiology and Practical Skills

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:
  • The basic principles underlying nervous system function: e.g. the structure of the nervous system, including but not limited to membranes, receptors and brain cells and their communication and signalling
  • Methods to study the brain: e.g. monitoring and manipulating the working brain, animal models 
  • Higher brain functions such as memory, motivation, language, sex differences, and consciousness
  • Aspects of brain development, mental health, ageing and neurodegeneration
• Assignments will help develop writing and synthesis skills in poster, video, and/or essay formats to ensure students become familiar with key concepts of science dissemination. 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Alternative assessments (poster or essay) can be provided as a reasonable adjustment.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their fundamental knowledge and understanding of key neuroscience concepts, as well as their ability to integrate this knowledge across multiple levels of explanation. The module will also provide the students with the ability to discuss and critically reflect on neuroscience research and data.The summative assessments for this module consist of:

• One summary of a current neuroscience research topic (coursework) in a mulitmedia format (video or poster)
• One short essay (part of a 4-hour open-book exam)

Both assessments address all learning outcomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), with the final examination placing more emphasis on outcome 4.Formative assessments will test factual knowledge using MCQ's and interactive learning (e.g., PollEv, Kahoot!) during tutorials and lectures. Examples of exam questions will be discussed in tutorials to provide formative experiences and feedback on exam-like content. A particular emphasis will be put on synthesising lecture content covering various aspects of neuroscience.Feedback will be provided:

• Directly to students throughout the module, specifically during tutorials in the form of quizzes and Q&A sessions
• On the Coursework (essay/poster), within three weeks of submission, it will be returned to students with detailed comments for feedback that can be used for the final exam and other coursework assignments in a similar format.
• During feedback/revision sessions at the end of the semester, additional questions and answers will be addressed.
• On the final exam in written form

Module aims

• To introduce the structure and function of the nervous system
• Provide an understanding of fundamental biochemical and biological processes that underlie brain function in health and disease
• Introduce state-of-the-art techniques employed in current neuroscience research
• Synthesise neuroscientific data and develop multimedia presentation skills, which are fundamental skills for employability in science more generally.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Develop neuroscience-specific knowledge
• Develop cross-disciplinary knowledge relevant to biochemistry and biological sciences
• Provide formative feedback, class discussion and summative examinations

The learning and teaching methods include:

• A balanced blend of Lectures and Tutorials allows students to revisit and consolidate the knowledge acquired weekly.
• Some captured content will provide additional material and information related to lectures. This additional material will be used for guided learning and discussed 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: BMS2048

Other information

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:

This module supports the development of resourcefulness and resilience through clear communication and active engagement with students. The module provides clear and extended guidance on coursework and examinations. The module team encourages early planning and use of different learning techniques in tutorial sessions dedicated to coursework and examinations.

 

Global & cultural capabilities:

The Module includes a lecture "Sex and the brain" which highlights genetic and neuronal mechanisms of gender and neurodiversity. Follow-up seminars encourage students to evaluate scientific evidence critically and discuss the findings in the larger group.

 

Digital capabilities:

Additional module content will be delivered via video platforms, including YouTube and Panopto.

The module encourages students to use discussion forums to exchange questions regarding the module content. 

The coursework requires students to use varied software such as Microsoft Office, literature databases and reference managers to create multimedia content that presents neuroscientific data.  

The module employs interactive digital learning platforms, such as Kahoot and Pollev, for quizzes and feedback. 

 

Employability:

The module offers several transferable and practical skills that enhance employability. 

Knowledge of neuroscientific methods is essential for understanding scientific data acquisition and analysis, which are crucial skills for an academic research career. 

The coursework focuses on dissecting and summarising scientific literature, which is an essential skill for working in the pharmaceutical industry or science communication. 

The lecture content links neuroscience to real-life applications of techniques and disease mechanisms, which are relevant for clinical and health sciences.

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 2026/7 academic year.