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Description
This module provides a broad introduction to neurobiology. You will study the cell biology and development of neurons and glial cells, anatomical and functional organisation of the vertebrate nervous system and sensory pathways and perception. You will also get a detailed introduction to the neural basis of behaviour and learn about neurodegenerative and mental disease and neuropharmacology.
The module is available in the second year. It assumes a basic knowledge of biological principles (minimum A-level but 1st year biomedical modules advisable). The module is taught jointly by staff from the research departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP), and is intended to complement modules with more specialised neurobiology content (the module is a prerequisite under certain circumstances for other modules, including but not limited to NEUR0007/NEUR0023).听
In addition to the in-person lectures, the course has 5 in-person practicals, alongside demonstrations and synchronous online workshops. You will study the anatomy and cellular composition of the human brain and carry out physiological experiments on motor reflexes, mechanoreceptors, hearing and vision.听 The practicals are supported by tutorials
You are expected to supplement your learning with a substantial amount of independent reading from both textbooks and original research articles. In addition to the practical tutorials, there are 4 module review sessions, which offer the chance to raise questions about the module and to interact with some engagement activities to aid your understanding.
Your understanding will be assessed by an in-course multiple choice/short answer exam in Term 1 and a final exam in Term 3.听 Affiliate students must submit 2 in-course written assignments in place of the end of year exam.
Indicative list of lectures (based on 2023/24 content)
- Cellular Diversity
- Glial Cells (I & II)
- The Brain (I & II)
- The Spinal Cord
- Differentiation, Lineages and Plasticity
- Reflexes
- Motor control
- Membrane potentials and action potentials
- Synaptic Structure and Release Mechanisms
- Ligand Gated Channels and Fast Synapses
- Sensory Systems, general principles
- Vision
- Hearing
- Nerve Injury and Regeneration
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Molecular Basis of Schizophrenia
- Autism
List of practicals/workshops
- Neurocytology
- Human brain
- Human reflexes
- Electrophysiology: Cockroach Mechanoreceptors
- Hearing
- Vision
Expected study time
As a 15-credit module, you are expected to spend ~150 hours in total. The breakdown for 2023 was:
- Lectures: 19听hours
- Practicals & workshop: 12 hours
- Tutorials: 13听hours
- (Contact Hours: 44)
- Assessment: 3听hours
- Independent study & revision: 103听hours.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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