
- UCAS course code
- B143
- UCAS institution code
- M20
BSc Neuroscience with Industrial/Professional Experience / Course details
Year of entry: 2021
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Course unit details:
Learning, Memory & Cognition (E)
Unit code | BIOL31692 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Learning, Memory and Cognition will introduce you to the discipline of cognitive neuroscience and examine how central nervous system regions in invertebrates and mammals interact to produce behaviour. You will study the neural bases for learning and memory and explore how different types of memory are supported by different brain systems. Insight will be gained into how human neurological cases and experimental approaches in laboratory animals extend our understanding of normal brain function and how these functions are localised across species. Examples of the lecture topics covered are ’Learning, memory and amnesia’, ’Cerebral localization of cognitive function’, and ’Synaptic plasticity.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Sensory Systems | BIOL21341 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Motor Systems | BIOL21332 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
To introduce students to the discipline of cognitive neuroscience and examine how nervous system regions from invertebrates to mammals interact to produce behaviour.
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to understand the neural bases for learning and memory in neural systems and explain how different types of memory are supported by different brain systems. Students will also gain insight into how neurological cases and experimental approaches extend our understanding of normal brain function and how those functions are localised across animal species. The course will also focus on how synaptic changes provide the cellular bases for learning and how these processes can be modelled computationally.
Syllabus
Introduction to Cognition - Early models for animal behaviour (e.g. behaviourism) versus the more recent rise of cognitive neuroscience. Introduction to learning, memory formation and memory retrieval.
Learning, memory and amnesia - Discussion of song acquisition, navigation and food-storing in birds. Evidence from mammals that different forms of learning are supported by discrete neural systems. Consideration of the neural bases for memory loss across species. How memory is used to direct and control behaviour with particular focus on the role of prefrontal cortex.
Cerebral localization of cognitive function - Discussion of language/communication as an example of lateralization of cognitive function in humans and other species. Importance of split-brain patients in understanding hemispheric lateralization.
Neuronal circuitry and the cellular mechanisms for memory acquisition and storage - How synaptic plasticity provides a model for memory processes within cell assemblies. This will help students link these cellular processes to learning and behaviour topics covered in earlier lectures.
Modelling learning and memory using neural networks - Students will gain insight into how simple artificial neural networks provide insight into biological learning mechanisms. Further, how this research has been applied and extended to more complex and biologically-realistic models.
eLearning
We are developing a number of eLearning resources, including topics such as synaptic plasticity and a simple interactive modelling tool to examine learning (e.g., Hopfield networks).
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- MCQ eLearning exam
- Problem solving
- MCQ eLearning exam
- Written communication
- Written examination in which students must choose two essay titles to answer
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Other | 5% |
Written exam | 95% |
2 hour written examination - students choose 2 essay titles (95%);
Other - 3 MCQ eLearning exams (5%).
Feedback methods
MCQ exam will provide feedback on students' progress and key areas for improvement.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 18 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 82 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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John Gigg | Unit coordinator |