Building Brains

Code

LIFE2061

School

Life Sciences

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module explores how the nervous system develops, is organised, and processes information. This is achieved through presentation of comparative invertebrate and vertebrate studies, consideration of evolutionary concepts, and a detailed analysis of the development, structure, and function of the mammalian brain. The lecture sessions are complemented by practicals on Drosophila neural circuits and vertebrate development, on the neuroanatomy of the human spinal cord, and dissection of human brains subject to tissue availability.

Target Students

This module is compulsory for Neuroscience students and available to Biology, Zoology and Genetics students.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Life on Earth (LIFE1030)
• Human Physiology (LIFE1032)
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience (LIFE1033)

Classes

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

Assessment

• 30% Coursework 1: Online open book assessment based on practical
• 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys exam (multiple choice and short answer questions)

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this module will enable students to:

• Explain how the nervous system develops in invertebrates and vertebrates and understand some of the tools and experiments that enable scientists to study this;

• Identify the major structures in the mammalian brain and understand how this structure underlies its major functions;

• Describe the organisation and function of sensory inputs and motor outputs of the mammalian brain and key functional pathways in the cortex and cerebellum;

• Explain the concepts that underpin evolutionary change as applied to nervous system development.

Conveners

• Dr Andrew Renault
• Dr Tracy Farr