Module Catalogue

PSC3008 : Physiology of the Nervous System

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Claudia Racca
  • Lecturer: Professor Anya Hurlbert, Professor Stuart Baker, Professor Evelyne Sernagor, Professor Adrian Rees
  • Practical Supervisor: Dr Yuki Kikuchi, Dr Gavin Clowry
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 30
ECTS Credits: 15.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To understand the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system; the role of the nervous system in everyday life; and the experimental methods used to study it.

This advanced module aims to develop the student's understanding of the mammalian nervous system, how it is organized and how it functions. The module builds on the introductory material covered at Stage 1 to provide the student with an overview of the principles of brain organization and developmental, before focusing on sensory systems (touch, vision and hearing), motor control and some cognitive brain functions such as learning and memory, sleep and emotional states. The importance of experimental evidence, how it is acquired and interpreted, is emphasised throughout the module. The lectures are supported by seminars, practical classes and group learning sessions.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module consists of the following topics 1) the organisation and development of the nervous system; 2) scientific methods for neuroscience research; 3) somatosensation; 4) vision; 5) hearing; 6) motor system; 7) learning & memory; sleep.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion118:0018:00Independent group work
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture251:0025:00In person
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials116:0016:00Non-Synchronous online. Instructional videos, quizzes/formative materials/problem solving questions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical12:002:00In person - Practical 1
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical23:006:00In person - Practicals 2 & 3
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching12:002:00Seminar: in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00Seminars: In person
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1220:00220:00Consolidation lecture notes/completion practical reports/formative MCQ/prob solving, revision & reading
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk11:001:00In person - introduction to module, teaching methods and assessments
Total300:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials convey information, scientific concepts and experimental evidence in a concise form (K1-K6, S2 & S4). These give an overview of a topic providing students with an appropriate framework for their own further independent study using the references provided in the Module Study Guide (K1-K6, S1, S2 and S4). Some lectures are provided in person while others are provided as online videos followed up and supported by in person sessions ("flipped content")/

Practical 1, Brain Anatomy, enables the student to appreciate key features of the organisation and structure of the real human brain in contrast to two dimensional schematic diagrams shown in text books (K1).

Practical 2 (Vision) and Practical 3 (Hearing) enable students to appreciate key aspect of visual and auditory perception through direct experience of visual and auditory stimuli (K3-K4) and use of psychophysical techniques (K2). Students also gain skills in using scientific software (S5).

Seminar 1. Analysis of a scientific paper. This 2-hr seminar aids in the development of critical skills (S2 and S3) and problem solving. It provides an opportunity for informal discussion.

Seminar 2. Teaches a key concept in sensory processing using a problem solving exercise (K3 & K4)

Seminars 3-10. Support lectures and online lecture materials in vision, hearing and motor systems by providing an opportunity for discussion, problem solving and Q&A (K3 & K4).

Seminar 11. Supports lectures in learning, memory and sleep and includes video presentations videos of patients with deficits in different brain areas and systems (K5 & K6).

The formative MCQ exam provides a test of acquired knowledge by the end of the module and the ability to synthesise information (K1-K6). It has a strong formative element and reinforces learning by providing immediate feedback on the student’s answers.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1802A70Invigilated exam: Sect 1 (2 x 60 min essays - choose 2 from 4 - worth 2/3); Sect 2 (2 x 30 min essays - choose 2 from 4 - worth 1/3)
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report1M6Q&A Style report for Practical 2
Practical/lab report1M6Q&A Style report for Practical 3
Prof skill assessmnt1M12Comprises: Group model building, oral presentation, 2-page written description
Prob solv exercises1M6Online Quizzes and problems
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Computer assessment1MOnline MCQ assessment completed in own time (expected completion time 60 mins)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination essays will test the students’ understanding of the material learned in the module, examine their ability to integrate and explore the relationships between the various themes within the module, and test their ability to develop scientific arguments (K1- K6, S).

The practical assessments judge the students’ ability to conduct experiments, analyse and interpret experimental data in a scientific manner, and draw appropriate conclusions (S5).

The study group task judges students’ ability to work as a team and helps them to develop and present their scientific knowledge and understanding using a variety of media.

The MCQ with feedback serves as a formative end of module test of knowledge and provides a springboard for revision.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.

Reading Lists

Timetable