Principles of Neuroscience

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Identify the mechanisms of nociception and and neural processing of painful stimuli
• Describe the hierarchy of neuronal circuitry involved in motor systems
• Outline molecular aspects of synaptic transmission
• Explain the process of mammalian brain development and the formation of neural circuits
• Describe the integration of synaptic information and action potential coding
• Describe the basic anatomy of the nervous system
• Describe the function of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, synaptic potentials
• Analyse quantitative aspects of neural function, including the use of the Nernst equation to calculate reversal potentials and to predict the effects of changes in membrane permeability on neuronal excitability

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• work with, and within, a group towards defined outcomes
• solve problems relating to qualitative and quantitative information

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use a range of neuroscience laboratory equipment to conduct experiments
• record and analyse neuroscience data

Indicative topics include

• Introduction to basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
• Brain development
• Molecular basis of synaptic function
• Synaptic integration
• Systems neuroscience: motor systems, nociception, including transfer of information from the periphery to the CNS

This module consists of 23 lectures, 3 three-hour practical classes, a workshop and 117 hours of independent study.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Practical write-ups

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Online test

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.