MMB8019 : Sensory Systems
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Yuki Kikuchi
- Lecturer: Professor Alexander Thiele, Professor Patrick Degenaar, Professor Anya Hurlbert, Professor Tim Griffiths, Dr Srikanth Ramaswamy, Professor Andrew Blamire, Prof. Evelyne Sernagor, Dr Gabriele Jordan, Professor Stuart Baker
- 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: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims are:
1. introduce the principles and practice of modern methods (primarily neurophysiology, imaging, and computational approaches) for investigating sensory systems (vision, audition and somatosensation).
2. explore sensory physiology at an advanced level from single neuron function to complex neuronal networks in the visual, auditory and somatosensory systems.
3. gain an understanding of how basic experimental studies and clinical investigations reveal the neuronal mechanisms underlying function of sensory systems in health and disease.
4. acquire basic knowledge in neural implant devices to regain lost senses.
5. gain specific knowledge on:
• neuronal signalling mechanisms
• cellular neurophysiology
• invasive and non-invasive techniques for studying the nervous system in humans and experimental animals
• gross sensory neuroanatomy (in primates and simpler animals)
• development of neural function and structure
• genetics and neuroanatomy of specific sensory disorders and their relationship to normal brain function
• multisensory neuromodulation and integration
• functional links between sensory systems, and disorders thereof
• higher brain functions that build on sensory function, such as visual memory and attention, reading, music perception.
6. learn how to acquire scientific knowledge through independent reading, deductive and inductive reasoning.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will introduce the principles and practice of modern methods (primarily neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and computational approaches) for investigating sensory systems including the visual, auditory and somatosensory systems, chemical senses through a series of sessions;
Topics will include:
1. Essential neuroanatomy
2. Essential cellular neurophysiology
3. Neuroimaging techniques
4. Retinal structure and function
5. Visual system development
6. Colour vision (retinal processing, genetic disorders, central processing)
7. Visual cortical function (modularity, cognitive aspects, visual attention)
8. Sensory prosthetics
9. Somatosensation (touch, pressure, vibration, pain, temperature, position and movement)
10. Auditory pathway and neural oscillations
11. Auditory neurophysiology and neuropharmacology
12. Cortical basis and disorders of human auditory cognition
13. Neuromodulation across sensory modalities
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Present in person (PIP) lecture sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative MCQ, take home online assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present-in-person: Oral presentation (Groups of approximately 8 students per 2 hour session) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparation of oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Computer Cluster |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Computer cluster |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Present in person (PIP): Anatomy labs |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 19:00 | 19:00 | Additional Reading and Reflective Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 98:00 | 98:00 | Preparation of Notes; preparing answer to take home paper |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Additional Reading & Reflective learning |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Theoretical content will be provided by lectures and provide a framework on which to construct further guided independent learning. Lectures are presented in logical order, helping to build up deeper knowledge of various subjects.
An oral presentation, one of the assessments will help students develop their presentation and oral communication skills. Workshops on spike train analysis and neural oscillations will enhance their analytical skills. A practical on fundamental neuroanatomy will introduce students to gross anatomy of the human brain, cellular staining techniques and comparative neuroanatomy.
Students will undertake independent study which will involve additional reading and reflection. Assessment preparation and the formative MCQ will consolidate knowledge
Should public health circumstances dictate that it is necessary, in person sessions will be moved to online alternatives.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 50 | In person oral presentation - 15 minutes (12 for the presentation plus a maximum of 3 questions) |
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 50 | Computer based exams (2 hours) including a combination of questions to assess students understanding of the lecture material |
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 assessment | 1 | M | Online MCQ (2 hours) (approximately 3 questions per lecture session) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The computer assessment will test students' detailed knowledge and critical understanding of lecture material sensory neuroscience.
The oral presentation will help the students to develop their oral skills for presenting current topics in sensory neuroscience
The formative in-course MCQ test will help develop the students' knowledge across the breadth of the course, based on the content of all lectures.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8019's Timetable