2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC3161 Intermediate Neuroscience

20 creditsClass Size: 10

Module manager: Dr Hugh Pearson
Email: h.a.pearson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

None

This module is mutually exclusive with

BMSC2118	Neurobiology
BMSC2121	Cognitive Neuroscience
BMSC2123	Sensory and Motor Neuroscience
BMSC2124	Neurotransmitters and Disease

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

- This module is designed to give medical students taking intercalating degrees in Neuroscience a basic understanding of neuronal activity, synaptic transmission and the cognitive processes.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- describe the process of neurotransmission; understand and explain the criteria for molecules to be considered neurotransmitters;
- describe the synthesis, release and reuptake of a range of neurotransmitters in the body;
- describe the techniques used to visualize neurotransmitters, and the techniques available for recording neurotransmission electrophysiologically;
- understand the techniques used to investigate the function of the nervous system;
- how the nervous system pays and shifts attention;
- the executive functions and the importance of the prefrontal cortex and working memory in these functions;
- how speech is generated, understood and interpreted;
- the regions of the brain important for our interactions with others and understanding ourselves;
- how particular brain regions give rise to our emotions and how the emotions interact with other cognitive functions;
- how to analyse arguments and theories put forward in the scientific literature and make a clear and reasoned decision regarding their relative merits;
- carry out simple electrophysiological experiments.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. define the process of synaptic communication;
2. discuss the mechanisms of synthesis and role of a range of neurotransmitters;
3. explain the methods used to investigate the functioning of the central nervous system;
4. define the concept of attention and the various information processing models suggested to underlie attention;
5. classify and define the executive functions, the importance of the prefrontal cortex, behavioural rules and working memory in these functions;
6. discuss how speech is generated, comprehended and interpreted and the neural bases for these processes;
7. define the processes and neural substrates important for social cognition;
8. explain how emotions are classified and how they are regulated;
9. critique arguments put forward in the scientific literature, assess the pros and cons of opposing theories and predict which of the theories is correct.

Skills outcomes
Practical work involves electrophysiological measurement of neuronal activity by intracellular microelectrode recording. Skills in electrophysiology will be practiced.

Syllabus

- Biophysics
- Synaptic transmission;
- Neurotraqnsmitter receptors;
- Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience;
- Brain perturbations, Measuring neural activity, brain imaging;
- Attention and consciousness;
- Executive functions;
- Language - speech, comprehension, interpretation, dyslexia;
- Social cognition - self, embodiment, facial and body cue perception, autism;
- Emotions - limbic system, interactions, regulation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	28	1.00	28.00
Practical	2	4.00	8.00
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Tutorial	3	1.00	3.00
Private study hours			159.00
Total Contact hours			41.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to read textbooks and scientific journal articles (research papers and reviews) to supplement the information given in lectures and seminars. The practical report should contain a comparison of practical results to published data on the preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided in tutorial sessions which will be designed to support the lecture and seminar content of the module. Formative feedback will also be provided in practical sessions where student understanding of the principles of electrophysiology and synaptic transmission will be verbally assessed.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Open book problem solving essay (timetabled)	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	48 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

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: 13/11/2020 08:19:24

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