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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC2123 Sensory and Motor Neuroscience

10 creditsClass Size: 250

Module manager: Dr Philippa Garner
Email: P.E.Garner@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are expected to have passed BMSC1210 Biology of the Mind or SPSC1222 Neuroscience for Exercise Science

Pre-requisites

BMSC1210Biology of the Mind
SPSC1222Neuroscience for Exercise Science

This module is mutually exclusive with

BMSC2118Neurobiology

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explains the central nervous system control of a range of physiological processes. It describes the process of neurotransmission, and the criteria for molecules to be considered neurotransmitters. Techniques used to record neurotransmission electro physiologically will be introduced. The sensory receptors and pathways responsible for the sensation of pain, touch, audition, smell and vision will be described. The pathways responsible for voluntary movement, the motor hierarchy and the control of voluntary movement, and the mechanisms for maintaining balance and upright posture, and the sensory receptors involved, will be explored.The impact of neurodegenerative diseases on these functions will be studied.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will know :
- the process of synaptic communication;
- the physiology of the sensory and movement pathway;
- the core elements of a range of neurodegenerative diseases.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- describe and explain the central nervous system control of a range of physiological processes through the study of CNS physiology;
- describe the sensory receptors and pathways responsible for the sensation of pain, touch, audition, smell and vision;
- describe the pathways responsible for voluntary movement, the motor hierarchy and the control of voluntary movement;
- explain the mechanisms for maintaining balance and upright posture, and describe the sensory receptors involved;
- discuss a range of diseases of the brain, and the structural and mechanistic changes underlying them.

Skills outcomes
This module will allow students to develop their understanding of neurotransmission, and the CNS and its role in our interactions with the outside world. It will provide a foundation level understanding of neurodegenerative diseases which will allow students to study these topics at a higher level later in the year.


Syllabus

Syllabus content
- Synaptic communication - Chemical neurotransmission, synthesis, storage release, transporters synaptic connections
- Resting membrane potential and electrophysiology techniques
- Cerebral Cortex anatomy/physiology
- Audio/visual physiology
- Taste and olfaction pathways
- Somatosensory system
- Pain and nociception
- Motor pathways
- Balance/Posture
- Labyrinth function (practical demonstration)
- Motor pathways and voluntary movement
- Neuronal disease

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Class tests, exams and assessment11.001.00
Lecture201.0020.00
Seminar12.002.00
Independent online learning hours15.00
Private study hours62.00
Total Contact hours23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Independent online learning:
- Online data interpretation tutorials 10 hours
- Online formative MCQ 5 hours

Private Study:
- Reading for lecture (2 x 20) 40 hours
- Preparation for essay 10 hours
- Exam Preparation 12 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored by a formative essay, formative online MCQs and formative online data interpretation problems, and by in-course summative essay and summative workbook.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
EssayOpen book exam25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)25.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1)1 hr 30 mins75.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)75.00

BMSC2118 will have an overlapping paper.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/07/2017

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