2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC1210 Biology of the Mind

10 creditsClass Size: 450

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of A level Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

SPSC1222

Neuroscience for Exercise Science

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

- This module will introduce students to the workings of the nervous system and will cover all major aspects of neuroscience from a basic level. - The module will take students on a journey starting with the development and evolution of the nervous system through the anatomy and physiology of neurons, exploring sensory / motor systems and culminating in discussion of higher cognitive functions. - During the module, relevant neuroscience techniques will be explained. There will also be an introduction to the major disorders of the nervous system.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students should:
- have a basic understanding of all major aspects of neuroscience;
- be able to explain brain development / evolution, the structure / function of neurons and glia and the process of synaptic transmission;
- understand and be able to describe the major divisions of the CNS, the major ascending/descending pathways, the special senses and be able to outline the higher perceptual functions of the brain;
- be able to describe the basic details of major disorders of the CNS.


Students will learn to take detailed lecture notes, gather information from a range of literature sources, manage their time effectively and use online formative tutorial resources effectively to enhance their learning experience

Skills outcomes
Students will learn to take detailed lecture notes, gather information from a range of literature sources, manage their time effectively and use online formative tutorial resources effectively to enhance their learning experience.

During the lectures and using the online resources, students will develop their problem solving skills by considering numerical and conceptual problems.

Syllabus

During the module, students will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Neuroscience
- Basic anatomy of the CNS
- Neuroscience techniques
- Neuroanatomy
- Functional anatomy of the cerebral cortex
- Synaptic transmission
- Neurotransmitter receptors
- Molecular biology of receptors
- Sensory receptors and CNS pathways
- Other special senses
- Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
- Memory & learning
- Higher perceptual functions
- Motor systems and locomotion
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Other nervous system disorders

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Independent online learning hours			10.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- 20 hours: students will be expected to spend 1 hour reading following each lecture;
- 15 hours: students will be expected to spend 5 hours preparing for the formative in-course MCQ exam and 10 hours preparing for the summative in-course MCQ exam;
- 14 hours: students will be expected to spend the remaining time preparing for the final summative MCQ exam.
- 1 hour: class tests, exams and assessment: (2 x 0.5).
20 hours - revisions for final exam.

During the independent online learning, students will be given access to QuestionMark based tutorials with formative assessments designed to supplement and extend the lecture material.

This is a predominantly lecture based course however we have worked to introduce other media and to be imaginative in our use of the VLE. Lecture notes are placed online for students and these are available in both PDF and power point format.

In addition there are questionmark perception quizzes to help students.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored extensively.

A formative MCQ/EMQ exam will highlight areas of weakness to students and provide an opportunity for the module leader to provide additional resources in areas where the cohort show weakness.

The in-course summative MCQ/EMQ exam will provide a further opportunity to monitor student progress prior to the final examination period.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	One formative	0.00
In-course MCQ	One summative	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

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: 21/07/2017

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