2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC2342 Experimental Skills in Neuroscience

20 creditsClass Size: 48

Module manager: Dr Clare Tweedy
Email: c.tweedy@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 1 BMSC lab skills or equivalent

Co-requisites

BMSC2310

Intermediate Skills for Professional and Academic Developmen

This module is mutually exclusive with

BMSC2341	Experimental Skills in Pharmacology
BMSC2343	Experimental Skills in Human Physiology
BMSC2344	Experimental Skills in Medical Sciences

Module replaces

BMSC2119: Experimental Skills, 10 credits, S1BMSC2227: Experimental Skills in Neuroscience, 10 credits, S2

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

- Students will participate in various practical exercises that will focus on some key methods within biomedical sciences and neuroscience. Students will be taught the principles of experimental design and the essential statistical and mathematical methods necessary for completion of the experiments and projects.- In semester 2, students will design and perform a mini project based around neural tissue.- Students will be introduced to the methods used to:a) perform experiments with nerves or neural tissue;b) record responses and c) analyse response data in graphical form.- Transferable skills will be developed through submission of practical reports, preparing and delivering oral presentations & laboratory book as well as working in groups.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Use some experimental techniques relevant to modern neuroscience;
- Use scientific literature in an appropriate manner and reference published work correctly;
- The ability to design and carry out an experimental project based on a specific area of neuroscience as a member of a team;
- The synthesis of analytical data, including the use of both descriptive and analytical statistics to organize the data;
- The ability to individually present work in an extended written form and through other forms of communication which are used in the scientific community.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify the need for and apply statistical analyses to data;
2. Locate and select scientific information to support arguments;
3. Demonstrate basic principles of the techniques used in practical classes;
4. Design and perform an experiment to answer a neuroscience-based hypothesis;
5. Present the findings in written form and through other scientific forms of communication.

Syllabus

Various practical exercises will focus on some key methods within biomedical sciences and neuroscience.
- Students will be taught the principles of experimental design and the essential statistical and mathematical methods necessary for completion of the module.
- Students will design and perform a mini project around neuroscience.
- Students will be introduced to the methods used to:
a) perform experiments with nerves or neural tissue;
b) record responses and
c) analyse response data in graphical form.
- Transferable skills will be developed through submission of practical reports, preparing and delivering oral presentations & laboratory book as well as working in groups.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Practical	4	7.00	28.00
Seminar	4	2.00	8.00
Independent online learning hours			27.00
Private study hours			136.00
Total Contact hours			37.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Researching literature and writing practical reports.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at practicals and progress meeting with academic staff.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	1 x group slide presentation	10.00
Practical Report	1 x laboratory report 1	40.00
Practical Report	1 x laboratory report 2 in the style of a scientific paper. Completed LabAxon workbook must be added as an appendix, 10% penalty if absent or incomplete.	50.00
Practical	Technical Skills Passport - P/F	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The Technical Skills Passport is pass/fail and a pass must be achieved to pass the module, otherwise a V code will be applied.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/07/2023 16:29:52

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