Unit name | Introduction to Neuroscience |
---|---|
Unit code | PHPH10012 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Howarth |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The aim of the unit is to provide students with an introduction to neuroscience. The unit will give students a fundamental understanding of the structure and function of nerves and brains. The unit will begin with an overview of gross anatomy of the nervous system. The next sections will look at the sensory and motor systems and examine how the brain processes information related to sensory perception and voluntary movement, and how the brain coordinates responses to external stimuli. The development of the mammalian nervous system will also be covered.
The unit will end with lectures which will cover a historical perspective on some of the key findings and discoveries in Neuroscience and the current advances in the subject, to encourage and increase enthusiasm for Neuroscience.
The teaching in this unit will be complement first-year neurophysiology teaching provided in Physiology 1A and Physiology 1B units.
At the end of this unit students should have knowledge and understanding of:
1.1 Introduction to the cell biology of the neuron
1.2. Gross organisation of the nervous system - brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, cerebral spinal fluid
1.3. Ascending sensory pathways
1.4. Special senses
1.5. Descending motor pathways
1.6. Development of the nervous system
1.7. Selected discoveries in neuroscience
Additionally the unit is designed to enable students to obtain or improve the following transferable academic and personal skills
2.1. Figure legend writing
2.2. Effective listening and note taking
2.3. Problem solving
2.4. Basic IT skills
2.5. Familiarity with Neuroanatomy
2.6. Practical and data analysis skills
2.7. Group work
2.8. Time management
The unit will be assessed through a combination of formative work undertaken throughout the unit and summative assessment at the end of the unit. The assessed ILOs are indicated in brackets.
Formative work:
Summative assessment:
Coursework (30%)
Timed assessment (70%)
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. PHPH10012).
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 Faculty 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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.