| Unit name | Gene Expression in the Brain |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM7003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Murphy |
| 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 |
The sequencing of the human genome is one of the greatest achievements of our civilization. We now know that to make a human being requires about 30,000 genes; fewer than we expected, but still quite a lot. The next step is to find out what all these genes do in terms of the integrated functions, and importantly, the inevitable dysfunctions, of the human organism. We already have the basic gene manipulation and analysis technologies to do this, and, in the coming years, their industrial scale application will provide humanity with a detailed understanding, and hence control, of its physical destiny.
The Aim of this Unit is to equip the student with an understanding of these developments. Students will be fully cognisant of the latest discoveries in the area of molecular biology and gene regulation in the brain.
The following areas will be covered:
At the end of this unit the student will have a basic knowledge of the field of genetics in neuroscience, will have acquired core theoretical skills used in molecular research, and will be able to discuss current and anticipated research at the frontiers of the subject.
Further, the student will be encouraged to develop their critical abilities by participation in tutorials and through their self-directed study and reading, which will be assessed through the Unit assessment.
The content of this unit is taught in a blended way and will consist of in-person taught sessions, structured online learning sessions and self-directed learning. The sessions in this Unit include lectures, tutorials and self-directed learning.
This unit is assessed through a combination of a theoretical core skills timed open-book assessment (total contribution of 25%) and an exam (total contribution of 75%).
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. MEDIM7003).
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.
