BMS2011 : Neuroscience: from cell to cognition
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Claudia Racca
- Lecturer: Professor Evelyne Sernagor, Professor Stuart Baker, Professor Alexander Thiele, Dr Gavin Clowry, Dr Abhishek Banerjee, Dr Faye McLeod, Professor Andrew Jackson, Dr Will Sedley
- Other Staff: Dr Kai Alter, Dr Demetris Soteropoulos, Dr Fiona LeBeau, Professor Andrew Trevelyan
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 85 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Actions, cognition, emotions, sensations and perceptions are controlled by the nervous system. Consequently, it is key to understanding the structure and function of the nervous system. Neuroscience deals with this and covers what is beyond and how this contribute to the functioning of the nervous system.
The aims of the module are to enable the student to learn and understand the;
•basic principles of how the nervous system works,
•the importance of the nervous system in controlling conscious and unconscious motor and sensory system, behaviour, cognition etc.
•the basic principles of research in neuroscience and in cellular, sensory & motor system neuroscience.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module has been structured into three well defined strands:
Cellular Neuroscience – which will include:
•review cellular neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
•excitatory and inhibitory synaptic function
•research methods applied to cellular and systems neuroscience
Sensory System – Sensation & Cognition – which will include:
•vision, motion, hearing, language and multisensory integration
Motor System – which will include:
•principles of motor control at cortical, subcortical and spinal levels
•overcoming damage to the motor system
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | In person on campus |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Non-sync online - development of scientific writing skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Sync online Q&A to support student engagement in learning & revision. Students pre-submit questions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person workshop to prepare for the extended essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 174 | 1:00 | 174:00 | Writing up lecture notes, general reading and revision |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Sync online - Introductory lecture |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide students with key information to achieve the learning outcomes of the module. The Q&A sessions will encourage an increased understanding of the material through discussion. There will also be an essay-writing workshop to prepare students for the in course and final essay-style exam questions, and a small group workshop to prepare for the in course extended essay. Private study and active learning on part of the students are essential. These will allow students to extend their knowledge through reading of, for instance, textbooks, journal articles and other recommended material.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 42 | PIP invigilated written timed essay exam, 2 question from a choice of 4 & Inspera invigilated MCQ, max 60 questions. Part 1 Inspera, Part 2 Written, exams to be scheduled together. (Inspera to be open for the duration of the examination - 120 mins) |
| Digital Examination | 60 | 2 | A | 28 | PIP Inspera invigilated MCQ, max 60 questions & Written timed essay, 2 questions from a choice of 4. Part 1 Inspera, Part 2 Written, exams to be scheduled together. (Inspera to be open for the duration of the examination - 120 mins) |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nervous System and Respiratory Diseases | 2 | Sister module delivered at NuMed. To be timetabled at 9:30 am and not on a Friday. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 30 | Extended Essay (2000 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination provides evidence of individual knowledge and understanding of the topics. The extended essay supports the students’ development in finding and critically analysing current literature and their written communication skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMS2011's Timetable