| Unit name | Foundations of Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM7001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Whitcomb |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
The students are given a background in the following fundamental subjects of neuroscience: Neuroanatomy; Neurophysiology and neurotransmission; sleep; Perception and cognition; Neuroplasticity; Stem cells; Brain imaging; Animal models in neuroscience.
Moreover the students will receive training in the following practical and transferable skills:
Research design and statistical analysis; Finding research information by using the library and internet; Reading, interpreting and presenting research results; Scientific writing.
The Aims and objectives of this Unit are to:
(i) Cover the basics of the field of neuroscience and thereby prepare students with varied backgrounds for subsequent course units;
(ii) Provide students with the fundamental knowledge of brain structure and function in the major areas of research within the neurosciences;
(iii) Provide students with the fundamental knowledge of experimental design;
(iv) Cover the basics of statistical analysis to prepare the students for data management and interpretation during the research project unit;
(v) Give students training in reading, interpreting and presenting research results and scientific writing.
At the end of this unit the student will have:
(i) A good understanding of the basics of the fundamental areas within the field of neuroscience through use of the available lectures, readings and tutorials;
(ii) A good understanding of appropriate research design and statistical analyses.
This Unit is taught through a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. This includes lectures, tutorials, workshops, student presentation and self-directed study.
The Unit is assessed through a 2,000-word essay (100%). A formative stage consisting of individual feedback on a 500-word draft essay is included in the writing process.
A formative set of multiple-choice questions will be provided to aid understanding of research design and statistical analyses.
Selected relevant review papers from the literature.
