Fundamentals of Neuroscience Research BIOL5283

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

This taught course serves as an introduction to fundamental principles and research approaches in neuroscience. It will cover the basics of gross and cellular neuroanatomy and introduce key topics in neurophysiology ranging from synaptic transmission and plasticity to sensory information processing. The course will also cover important methods such as electrophysiology, cellular imaging, chemogenetics, optogenetics, transcriptomics and genetic modifications. The course will offer useful knowledge and skills for other courses on the programme. BIOL5282 (Animal Models of Disease and Function) will directly build on this course and expand on methods and models.

Timetable

This course is made up of lectures and seminars in semester 1.

Requirements of Entry

none

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

Written exam lasting 1 hour using multiple choice questions covering the entire course content (30%).

Written assignment on a topical research paper (70%) with 2000-word count. ILOs 1-4 will be assessed using the MCQ. ILOs 1-6 will be assessed using the written assignment.

Course Aims

■ To provide students with essential knowledge of fundamental concepts required to understand research in brain sciences while providing historical context and example applications in contemporary research.

■ To give students the intellectual and communication skills required for presentation of complex research concepts and findings to a non-specialist audience.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify, summarise, and critically evaluate foundational anatomical structures and physiological and biochemical concepts in Brain Sciences.

2. Critically appraise the role of synaptic transmission and plasticity for brain function.

3. Evaluate approaches for recording neural activity with electrophysiology and functional imaging.

4. Critically assess the utility of genetic tools for monitoring and manipulating brain function.

5. Critically evaluate primary and secondary research literature.

6. Effectively communicate complex research issues to non-specialist readers.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.