Chronobiology
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE3085 | Life Sciences | 3 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- LIFE3085
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module considers:
The prevalence and different timescales of biological rhythmicity across all life forms
The mechanistic basis of circadian and circannual rhythmicity in vertebrates
The neural and endocrine pathways underlying synchronisation of rhythmicity by the environmental light dark cycle
The formal properties of biological rhythms and synchrony with environmental cues
The significance of circadian rhythmicity for human wellbeing, including sleep, physiology, nutrition, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and therapeutics, and neurological disease and mental health
Target Students
Final year neuroscience students in the School of Life Sciences.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: Group presentation in workshop (20 minutes, plus 10 minutes for questions)
Assessed by end of designated period
Educational Aims
This module will enable students to understand how the brain generates rhythmicity of different periodicities, how sensory systems responds to environmental cues to synchronise rhythms, and how rhythmicity affects physiology, behaviour, health and medicine.Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of this module will enable students to:
• explain how rhythmicity of different periodicities is generated
• describe the basic neuroanatomy of brain systems involved in circadian and circannual rhythmicity
• identify environmental signals and pathways that synchronise rhythmicity
• explain the importance of rhythmicity to physiology and behaviour, and to health, diagnosis of disease, and medical therapeutics