Core Skills in Neuroscience

Code School Level Credits Semesters
LIFE1043 Life Sciences 1 20 Full Year UK
Code
LIFE1043
School
Life Sciences
Level
1
Credits
20
Semesters
Full Year UK

Summary

This none compensatable compulsory skills module aims to provide students with an introduction to key experimental, analytical and transferable skills, and to reinforce degree-specific scientific themes from the first year in the context of small group tutorials.

The module has three major components:

1. Tutorials and supporting lectures (approx. 25% contact time). A combination of a) small-group contact with personal tutors and b) generic skills lectures. Lectures will provide advice about key transferable skills, including scientific writing, oral presentations, plagiarism, and career development. Tutorials will provide practice related to these skills (including writing an essay and giving a presentation), in the context of discussions about key scientific ideas relevant to Neuroscience.

2. Experimental Design and data Analysis (approx. 50%). A combination of a) lectures on the principles of the scientific method, good experimental design, and basic statistical analysis, and b) training in the statistical interpretation and analysis of neuroscience data, delivered via a combination of workshops and self-study.

3. Neurophysiology and pharmacology (approx. 25%). A series of lectures and practicals on the fundamentals and quantification of human neurophysiology as well as the action of drugs in neuroscience that will underpin material presented in other modules. 

In order to progress on this module all three assessments must be passed. The reassessments format for the other assessment components will be the same as for the original. The duration of the resit exams will not be different.

 

 

Target Students

This module is only available to BSc and MSci Neuroscience Year 1 students only.

Classes

This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc

Assessment

Assessed in both autumn & spring semest

Educational Aims

This is a compulsory skills module which aims to provide students with an introduction to key experimental, analytical and transferable skills, and to reinforce degree-specific scientific themes from the first year in the context of small group tutorials, practicals and workshops.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: A student who completes this module will be expected to be able to:
A1. recognise simple physical and chemical concepts essential to neuron survival

A2. quantify the pharmacological actions of drugs at their targets

A3. define pharmacological terms in relation to graphical information and drug-action

A4. outline the absorption , distribution and elimination of drugs by the body and brain

A5. recognise different types of neuroscience data and how to perform descriptive and inferential statistics on such data

A5. consider and discuss ethical issues and the impact of advances in neuroscience on society

A6. explain simple neurophysiological data in terms of its acquisition and meaning

A7. discuss current trends and developments in Neuroscience

A student who completes this programme will have the ability to:
B1. think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others through research, critical analysis and interpretation of published information and data.

B2. undertake appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis 

B3. work safely in the laboratory, using appropriate equipment and instruments and assess related safety issues in order to make and record accurate observations and measurements

B5. demonstrate numeracy and written and oral communication skills including writing essays and filling out laboratory reports using appropriate styles, conventions, and terminology and making oral presentations on neuroscience topics.

B7. demonstrate digital literacy, including being able to utilise modern statistical software in the analysis of scientific data

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 07/01/2025.