University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2018/19 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Health Sciences > Bristol Medical School > Molecular Neuroscience (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 8URCN04ST |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Astrid Linthorst
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Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
School/department | Bristol Medical School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
The programme aims to:
1. provide theoretical training in molecular neuroscience and its relation with the physiology and behaviour of organisms under normal and pathological conditions
2. provide experimental training in molecular neuroscience by practicals and the performance of a research project
3. provide training in practical and transferable skills essential for a further career in biomedical research, medicine or academia
4. produce postgraduates who subsequently embark on a PhD programme; provide academic and industrial scientists with up-to-date knowledge of molecular neuroscience and its role in pathophysiology
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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The knowledge and understanding of items 1-5 will be acquired through the teaching programme (lectures, seminars and tutorials) of the taught units 1-6. Understanding of emerging new fields of research in molecular neuroscience (item 6) will be a thread through the taught units 2-6 and the research project (unit 7); the student can further develop this understanding by attending School and UoB seminars. Understanding of experimental approaches to study cell signalling and molecular biology will be acquired through tutorial(s), demonstration(s) and practical(s) given during units 2 and 3, respectively. The acquisition of items 7 and 8 will be through various lectures on working with experimental animals, research design and statistics which will be given within unit 1. Knowledge and understanding of research design and data analysis will be further gained during unit 5 and the research project period (unit 7). |
Methods of Assessment | |
A combination of different forms of assessment will be used to assess the students’ knowledge and understanding of items 1-6. The taught units 1-5 will be completed by a formal examination (essays, interpretative questions/tasks and/or multiple choice questions or any combination of these). The performance of the students during the research project, practical(s) and their practical report(s) will be marked. Additional course work (which include the assessments for unit 6) will be marked (assigned essay, library project, interpretative questions, grant proposal, oral presentation and/or poster preparation and presentation).Students will submit a dissertation on their research project and give a presentation during a Research Colloquium which will both be marked. The knowledge of point 7 will be assessed by multiple choice questions on statistical analysis and research design and will be part of the marking of the written dissertation on the research project. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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These intellectual skills are mainly taught and developed during unit 6 (integrative molecular neuroscience; combination of lectures and tutorials) and unit 7 (research project). However, they clearly build upon the knowledge and understanding accumulated during units 1-5 (see A. above) and will to a certain exent be addressed during these units. Item 5 will also be covered during Unit 5 (writing a grant proposal). Items 6 and 7 will also be addressed during tutorials within units 1 and 2. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The mentioned intellectual skills (i.e. the ability of the student to integrate information on the various aspects of neuroscience and to communicate, analyse, interpret and critically discuss research results) will be assessed by interpretative questions (unit 2), the writing of a grant proposal (unit 5), a marked poster presentation and an essay (unit 6), the dissertation on the research project (unit 7) and a data presentation during a Research Colloquium (unit 7). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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The practical, professional and transferable skills are taught during the complete learning and teaching programme as outlined above. Tutorials and the performance of a research project (unit 7) will especially contribute to the development of these skills. The course director will be available to students for questions on further career development. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The practical and professional skills 1-6 will be assessed throughout the programme using the forms of assessment as described under A. and B. The other skills will not be formally assessed. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
At the end of stage 1 the student should have a solid knowledge of the different aspects of molecular neuroscience as taught during units 1-5. More specifically the student should not only have insight into basic principles in molecular neuroscience but also into its importance for health and disease. The student should demonstrate a basic understanding of emerging new fields and topics in molecular neuroscience. Moreover, at the end of this stage the student will have developed skills necessary for the successful analysis, presentation (in written and spoken form) and discussion of research results. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
At the end of stage 2 the student is able to integrate the information offered during stages 1 and 2 into a holistic view of the functioning of the brain in health and disease. The student will have demonstrated his/her integrative insights during a formal poster presentation session. The student will be able to define a research aim and design a research plan to address such aim. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
At the end of stage 3 the student will have some hands-on research experience. The student should be able to write a concise and adequately referenced dissertation. Moreover, the student should be able to critically discuss his/her research data in the dissertation and during a formal research colloquium. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The Molecular Neuroscience programme is based at Henry Wellcome LINE, which is a nationally and internationally highly recognised research institute with a vast expertise in the different aspects of molecular neuroscience, cell signalling, neuroendocrinology, behaviour and neurodegeneration. Henry Wellcome LINE is embedded in the successful Bristol Neuroscience initiative which offers excellent opportunities for students on the programme to interact with other postgraduate students and researchers in the field of neuroscience through special meetings, lectures and conferences. A further opportunity to gather knowledge and insight will be offered by School and University of Bristol seminars. A lecture room and a computer suite are available at LINE (Dorothy Hodgkin Building) for the students enrolled in the programme. A list of research projects will be made available to the students at least two months before the start of the project and places will be assigned with due regard for students' preferences as far as possible.
The MSc can also be studied part-time after discussion with the Course Director,
Further information can be found on our programme website:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinical-sciences/courses/postgraduate/neuroscience/
Further information can also be provided by:
Professor Astrid Linthorst, Course Director, Phone: (0117) 331 3140, E-mail: Astrid.Linthorst@bristol.ac.uk
OR
Course Administrator, Phone: (0117) 331 3017, E-mail: molneuro-msc@bristol.ac.uk
All units in this programme are must pass. For the definition of a must pass unit please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Foundations of Neuroscience | MEDIM7001 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Cell Signalling | MEDIM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Gene Expression in the Brain | MEDIM7003 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Neuroendocrinology | MEDIM7004 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Neurodegeneration: Symptoms, molecular mechanisms and therapies | MEDIM0014 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Integrative Molecular Neuroscience | MEDIM7006 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Research Project | MEDIM7100 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
MSc Molecular Neuroscience | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
A selection of three units from MEDIM7001, MEDIM0013, MEDIM7003, MEDIM7004 and MEDIM0014 have to be successfully completed for the award of a Certificate.
The maximum number of taught units that can be passed by re-assessment is limited to three.
Unit MEDIM7006 can only be taken after the successful completion of all other taught units.
The Research Project unit MEDIM7100 can only be taken on successful completion of all other units.
For a Distinction classification the student must have an overall coursemark of 75%
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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