BI3NS2: Neuroscience

Module code: BI3NS2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Nandini Vasudevan, email: n.vasudevan@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Slawomir Nasuto, email: s.j.nasuto@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, from development to disease, including structure of the brain and how this relates to function. This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience, with the aim of making you understand and be able to analyse the principles in healthy function of the central nervous system and how these may be changed in disease and neurodivergent conditions. At the core of this module, you will focus on the fundamentals of brain structure and function. You will learn to describe and identify different regions and structures of the central nervous system, including the basic building blocks, such as neurons and glia, and justify how the structures relates to their functions. You will expand on this fundamental knowledge to discuss physiologically relevant brain functions, such as learning and memory, as well as perception and processing of both internal and external information. Building on this knowledge, you will gain an understanding of the molecular, cellular and neuroanatomical processes involved in neurodivergent and pathological conditions such as pain, epilepsy, neurodegenerative condition and autism. Throughout this module, data from primary literature will be used to illustrate research methods and to train you to critically appraise recent advances and controversies of the field as well as to appreciate experimental design in the biomedical sciences.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe and illustrate how the organisation of the human nervous system determines function. 
2. Compare the neurotypical central nervous system (CNS) to the neurodivergent CNS, by synthesizing knowledge gained across the module.  
3. Develop specific knowledge of select neurobiological diseases that illustrate divergent organisation or function of the CNS and be able to justify how this knowledge is developed, using current research techniques. 
4. Integrate their knowledge of molecular and cellular mechanisms to current pharmaceutical and biomedical interventions for these conditions. 
5. Interpret data from both primary and secondary scientific sources, to infer and predict possible outcomes from these data and synthesize these inferences and accepted facts into scientific arguments. 

Module content

Lecture material includes the following topics: 

• Neuroanatomy 
• Neurotransmitters 
• Neurons and glia/Action potentials 
• Learning and memory 
• Information processing, including of sensory information 
• Regenerative medicine 
• Epilepsy 
• Neurodegenerative condition 
• Pain 
• Autism 

A practical session where students can dissect the sheep brain will also be held to help students consolidate the lecture material on neuroanatomy. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures and a laboratory-based practical class, self-directed learning and directed independent study. This course will rely on face-to-face lectures based on textbooks. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.  

Study hours

At least 46 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Two exercises in reading a scientific paper will be set during the module.  Both papers will illustrate some recent advances in a neurological disorder and questions set for in-class discussion will serve as a formative exercise.  In the final exam, similar questions will be asked for a “seen paper” given to students.  Discussion during the class and provision of answers after the discussion to the students will allow students to learn how to interpret and analyse data as well as how to answer accurately, completely and in a logical sequential manner that is typical of scientific argumentation. 

Reassessment

Additional costs