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2009/10 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC2303 Experimental Techniques in Neuroscience

20 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Professor Deborah Withington
Email: d.j.withington@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2009/10

Pre-requisites

BMSC1210	Biology of the Mind
BMSC1213	Basic Laboratory and Scientific Skills 2

Co-requisites

BMSC2104

Neurotransmitters

This module is mutually exclusive with

BMSC2302	Experimental Techniques in Pharmacology
BMSC2305	Experimental Techniques in Physiology
BMSC2307	Techniques in Biomedical Sciences

Module replaces

BMSC2102 & BMSC2205

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- show competence with equipment commonly found in a neuroscience research laboratory;
- make up physiological buffers and solutions to appropriate concentrations;
- show competency with equipment commonly found in a neuroscience research laboratory;
- understand basic concepts of biophysics;
- assemble an electrophysiology rig and understand the function of the component parts;
- perform basic electrophysiological experiments;
- operate a research grade light microscope;
- prepare and stain neuronal tissue for examination using a light microscope;
- understand the importance of aseptic technique;
- perform basic cell culturing techniques;
- handle large data sets and perform data analysis;
- apply appropriate statistical tests to experimental data and interpret results in the light of previous experimental work;
- write a report in the style of a scientific paper.

Syllabus

This module will allow students to experience firsthand some of the commonest techniques used in neuroscience research, and will greatly enhance their practical and analytical skills. The core objective of this module is to teach students to become experimental scientists, through demonstration, discussion and supervision of a variety of practical techniques, and to improve students' skills in experimental design and critical analysis of research data. The lectures will provide an enlightening description of the techniques employed, concentrating on their application in modern neuroscience research. Students will work in small groups for practical sessions, and will each gain hands on experience of neuroanatomical, electrophysiological & cell culturing techniques. Students will perform data handling exercises designed to invoke critical analysis, and will generate figures suitable for publication. Practical worksheets and practical reports will be submitted for assessment.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Practical	20	4.00	80.00
Private study hours			116.00
Total Contact hours			84.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

116 hours - writing practical reports, completing worksheets, preparing for incourse tests

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Worksheets, practical reports & in-course data handling test

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical Report	2 x lab reports (one per semester; 20% in semester 1, and 30% in semester 2)	50.00
In-course Assessment	2 x data analysis examinations (one per semester; 30% in semester 1, and 20% in semester 2)	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/02/2010

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