View Specification DocumentDiseases of the Nervous System 4Y option BIOL4038
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course will examine neurodegenerative, genetic, viral and other central nervous system disease processes.
Timetable
This option is assigned to S1 option block. There is normally one 3-hour session on Fridays.
Requirements of Entry
Normally, only available to final-year Life Sciences students in a Human Life Sciences programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator.
Excluded Courses
None
Assessment
The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (70%) and in-course assessment consisting of answering a series of questions on a research paper (30%); students will be given the paper in advance of the assignment.
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
The course aims to encourage critical analysis of the environmental and genetic factors that lead to diseases of the human nervous system. A range of nervous system diseases with differing aetiologies will be studied (for example, neurodegenerative diseases of ageing, psychiatric diseases, infections of the nervous system, etc.).
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
■ Discuss the aetiology of different nervous system diseases, giving appropriate examples;
■ Discuss the molecular basis of several neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases;
■ Integrate information on how certain brain diseases are caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and the environment;
■ Discuss how infectious agents are involved in certain nervous system diseases;
■ Evaluate current and potential future treatment strategies for the different nervous system diseases.