University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Life Sciences > School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience > Neuroscience with Study in Industry (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 7PYSI006U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Bridget Lumb
|
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
(i) Basic aspects of the organisation of the mammalian body (including from comparative and functional viewpoints) as a foundation for understanding the nervous system. (ii) the detailed structural organisation functioning of the mammalian nervous system from the molecular to the systems level. (iii) current research hotspots in selected areas of Neuroscience.
The programme also aims to:
1. provide a broad education and a wide range of transferable skills in the biomedical sciences,
2. foster particular skills neuroscience, neuroendocrinology and reproduction, according to the students own individual interests,
3. prepare the student for a career in research and/or clinical training
in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science; through the industrial placement experience, prepare the student for a career in industry.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Knowledge and understanding are acquired through lectures, seminars, small & large group tutorials, practical classes/extended projects, simulation sessions, web-based resources and directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary sources in the final year. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed self-education and library and practical research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The knowledge base is largely tested through traditional unseen written examinations, which include essays, MCQs, True-False questions, extended matching questions, numerical calculations, data analysis/interpretation and literature reviews. Library and practical research projects are separately assessed and contribute to the final degree mark. Peer marking is used at selected points throughout the programme. Formative assessment is also used throughout the programme, particularly in tutorial work, to provide students with feedback on their progress. Individual assessment of industrial research project and Y4 research proposal including literature review, dissertations, poster presentation and viva. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed progressively by shifting emphasis from textbooks to original research papers in the literature. In Levels C and I, closely supervised practical work leads on to supervised industrial research in the third year and to a research proposal in the final year. |
Methods of Assessment | |
There is a progressive emphasis on assessment methods that test the ability to critically evaluate source material, rather than simply recall factual details. Short practical write-ups are used to assess practical work in the first two years. A major report is generated from the industrial research project, and defended in an interview with the supervisors. In the final year, written essays and a research proposal are assessed in addition to the written exams based on research seminars. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Oral communication skills are developed via tutorial discussions and presentations, and via verbal and poster presentations. Team work is developed in practical classes and research projects, in tutorial-based projects, and by working in a team in the industrial research environment. IT skills (data management, word processing, presentation) are developed in practical and tutorial exercises. Information retrieval and management skills are learned through written and oral presentations of scientific data from a variety of sources, including e electronic databases. Time management and the ability to work to deadlines is required by the imposition of penalties for late coursework. Interpretation of scientific data is taught in seminar elements, through practical work and the industrial research project. Project planning is developed in Levels C and I through practical classes, further in the industrial year, and in the final year by preparation of the grant proposal. Health and Safety awareness is taught through practical work from the first year. The industrial year project requires completion of a risk assessment. Awareness of career issues is developed in collaborative sessions with the Careers Advisory Service. In their final year, students receive feedback on a draft CV. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written practical and tutorial assignments are assessed, formatively at Level C, and then summatively in subsequent years. Teamwork and project planning and implementation is assessed in practical work in years 2 and 3, and a significant project proposal is assessed in the final year. Use of IT is assessed implicitly in the presentation of written and practical assignments. Information and time management are assessed through completion of written assignments and by compliance with target setting in the industrial project. Unseen data interpretation questions are assessed in years 2 and 4. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Students should develop the ability to assemble information from a wide variety of sources (lectures, practical classes, tutorials and the library) and to assimilate it into essays and reports demonstrating knowledge of basic anatomical principles. They must learn to work in closely supervised practical sessions using associated IT skills. Students should reach a comparable level of competence in their subsidiary |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
Students must learn to deal with more intellectually-challenging concepts, and begin to develop the ability to critically evaluate the information upon which these are based. They must also extend their self-directed learning skills, such that they can write essays and reports based on their own searches of current information outside of standard textbooks. Worksheet-driven practical work should lead to more independent and self-directed practical exercises. A similar level of competence is expected in subsidiary units, unless one of these is taken at Level C. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students will become conversant with evolving concepts that are at the forefront of their discipline, and be able to critically evaluate evidence from research papers that may be contradictory. Based on seminar discussion, and advanced reading, they should be able to provide a coherent overview of our current level of understanding, as well as the unresolved issues, in the topics covered. Oral and written communication skills are developed to their full potential, through seminar discussions and oral presentations. They should also display good awareness of the general techniques and concepts that underpin modern research in the medical sciences. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
The work at this level will be informed by the latest research approaches and findings and, through the year spent in industry, will enable direct interaction with the industrial research community. Students will become conversant with the principles of industrial research, involving a combination of current research technologies in commercially relevant areas and work patterns conducive to a competitive research environment. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Life Sciences are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the academic year. This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials and practical classes. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as eBiolabs pre- and post-lab quizzes, practical class reports and project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study.
Wednesday afternoons are set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the examinations held in January and May/June, respectively. Should you be unsuccessful in the examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in August/September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations.
The Life Sciences BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where 10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
Study in Industry placements are usually paid. There will be costs for travel and accommodation, and possibly visa and insurance depending on the location of the placement.
All costs depend on the location of the placement.
Professor Zafar Bashir
Programme Director – Neuroscience
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Medical Sciences Building
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TD
Z.I.Bashir@bristol.ac.uk
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Neuroscience | PHPH10012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Functional Neuroanatomy | PHPH10013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Physiology 1A | PHPH10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Physiology 1B | PHPH10018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Pharmacology 1A | PHPH10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Options totalling 20 credit points, normally selected from: | ||||
Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology | PSYC10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Science of Happiness | PSYC10014 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
The following option may also be available, subject to timetabling constraints: | ||||
Biological Chemistry 1B: Powering Biomolecular Interactions | BIOC10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | BIOC10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Pharmacology 1B | PHPH10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Anatomical Science 1B | ANAT10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biomedical Research, Employability and Enterprise Skills | MVSF20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Neurophysiology | PHPH20009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH20011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Techniques in Neuroscience | PHPH20007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Options totalling 40 credit points, normally selected from the list below: | ||||
Cellular Physiology | PHPH20013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Integrative Physiology | PHPH20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Mechanisms of Drug Action 2B: Pharmacology of Body Systems | PHPH20014 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Human Anatomy: Thorax, Head and Neck | ANAT20003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology | PSYC10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology | PSYC10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The following options may also be available, subject to timetabling constraints: | ||||
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Introduction to Philosophy A | PHIL10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Philosophy B | PHIL10006 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Normal and Tumour Cells | PANM12051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Disease and Defence | PANM10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language | LANG10120 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
any other Level 1 UWLP (University-Wide Language Programme) unit - 20 credit points. Please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sml/study/uwlp/ for more details. | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Industrial study | PHPH30024 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Study in Industry Project (M level) | PHPHM0012 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Concepts and Skills | PHPHM0011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Grant Proposal (M level) | PHPHM0010 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Optional units totalling 60 credit points, are normally selected from the following: | ||||
The Rhythms of Life | PHPH30027 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Synaptic plasticity | PHPH30010 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Synaptic Cell Biology | PHPH30022 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Brain and Behaviour | PHPH30016 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neuroscience of Pain | PHPH30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
New Horizons in Medicine | PHPH30021 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neurological and Psychiatric disorders | PHPH30013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Students may be able to select 20 of their 60 credit points from the following list, subject to timetabling constraints. No more than 20 credit points can be chosen. | ||||
Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission | PHPH30002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies | PHPH30003 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Pharmacology of the Nervous System | PHPH30004 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
The Heart in Health & Disease | PHPH30019 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Exercise Physiology in Health and Disease | PHPH30028 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Neuroscience with Study in Industry (MSci) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000