PED3008 : Advanced Topics in Neuropharmacology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Christina Elliott
- Lecturer: Dr Gavin Clowry, Dr Fiona LeBeau, Dr Sarah Judge, Dr Lindsey Ferrie
- 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: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are to provide students with the opportunity to gain a current understanding of:
• morphological, neurochemical and functional correlates of neuropsychiatric disorders.
• pharmacological mechanisms and approaches used to treat and understand the biological basis of that neuropsychiatric disorders.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will focus on the neuropharmacology of specific neuropsychiatric disorders - depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. In the initial sessions you will learn about the anatomy of the brain, its gross organisation and neural pathways associated with these diseases. Following this, groups will be dedicated to each of the disorders. You will learn about specific molecular, neurochemical and anatomical pathologies of these disorders and how targeting these pathologies with pharmacological agents is often the most effective way of treating the disorder. Emphasis will also be placed on new approaches used to devise more effective therapeutic strategies in neuropharmacology. All teaching sessions are delivered by leading researchers in biological psychiatry.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 13 | 1:00 | 13:00 | In person including module introduction talk |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | In-course open book |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | In person |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Preparation for small group teaching |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | In person. Generic feedback on in-course assessment. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 48:30 | 48:30 | Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The practical class will enable students to be introduced to the anatomy of the CNS.
Lectures and activities based on this material will support students to engage with the factual content.
Seminars will provide a forum for discussion of appropriate and relevant topics and allow students to further their knowledge and understanding of the field.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 70 | Present in person. Open book, PC based exam (1 essay from choice of 2). Digital - other: Essay will be typed using Microsoft Word and submitted via a submission point on Canvas. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 30 | Present in person. In course, PC based open book timed essay 90 minutes. (1 essay). Digital - other: Essay will be typed using Microsoft Word and submitted via a submission point on Canvas. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The timed open book essay in semester 1 will provide the students with the opportunity to practice their essay writing skills under timed present in person exam conditions and be provided with feedback in preparation for the final exam. The final exam will allow assessment of the individual student’s ability to retrieve and apply their taught and researched knowledge to answer particular neuropharmacological questions.
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
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PED3008's Timetable