| Unit name | Foundations of Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM7001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Whitcomb |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this Unit important?
Molecular Neuroscience is a vast, diverse and ever-changing field of scientific study. However, there are numerous fundamental and principal concepts that underpin even the most complex, cutting-edge neuroscience research findings. During Foundations of Neuroscience, students will learn about core ideas in molecular neuroscience and the primary research that underpins them. This will be achieved through a mixture of in person lectures, self-directed asynchronous learning sessions, workshops and student-led presentations. Through in-class discussions and essay writing, students will explore and critically assess the basic concepts underlying molecular neuroscience and – importantly - how they relate with recent scientific research.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
As the first unit of the MSc Molecular Neuroscience course, we introduce both fundamental concepts as well as academic practices that form a critical foundation for subsequent study on the course. Accordingly, you will learn not only neuroscience principles that will be built upon in later units, but also ways of studying, writing, presenting and using feedback – all of which will be relied upon in later units.
An overview of content
Foundations of Neuroscience comprises teaching and study of fundamental topics in the field of molecular neuroscience. The aims are to develop a broad understanding of some of the key concepts and principles in neuroscience. These include neuroanatomy, neurotransmission, and neuroplasticity. Then, taking these basic concepts, we explore and critically consider how they contribute to complex functionality in the brain, examining cognition, sleep, and stem cell biology.
The unit comprises in-person lectures and curated resources for selfdirected learning. These are designed to promote the development of critical skills in reading and interpreting academic and scientific literature, writing clearly and concisely about neuroscience topics, and presenting research findings to an audience.
How students will, personally, be different as a result of the unit
In completing this unit, students will develop their ability to engage with the scientific literature and enhance their skills in clearly and succinctly writing about fundamental neuroscience principles and the underpinning primary research.
Learning Outcomes
Students will learn how to:
The unit is taught through a combination of:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare for summative tasks (formative)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
When assessment does not go to plan
You may be given the opportunity to resubmit depending on further unit results. Re-assessment will take place in a similar form to the original summative assessment
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM7001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
