- UCAS course code
- B140
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Neuroscience
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: B140 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6, 6, 6 to 6, 6, 5 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Neuroscience RSM
| Unit code | BIOL20922 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This Research Skills Module is designed to develop your experimental design, report writing, and practical skills. You will develop a range of skills relevant to Neuroscience and/or Cognitive Neuroscience research including electrophysiological, biochemical, and histological methods. You will work with cells, human subjects and interactive computer simulations.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excitable Cells: the Foundations of Neuroscience | BIOL10832 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Sensory Systems | BIOL21341 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Motor Systems | BIOL21332 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
To provide practical experience of a range of techniques and data analytical procedures relevant to current neuroscience and/or cognitive neuroscience research. The techniques will mainly be drawn from the disciplines of anatomy, pharmacology and physiology. Students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of biological preparations, from cells to whole humans, and with interactive computer simulations.
Learning outcomes
To be proficient in the use of a range of technical skills, including the application of selected electrophysiological, psychophysical, biochemical and histological methods, and to possess the abilities to find and understand information, to analyse complex data sets and to write scientific reports.
Syllabus
Core practicals for Neuroscience and CogNeuro:
- Human visual function - the Electroretinogram
- Operant conditioning - Virtual rat (Sniffy) behaviour
- Motor function – the electromyogram
- Human visual function - the Visually Evoked Potential
- Sheep brain dissection
- Human neuroanatomy
- Neurophysiology computer simulations
- Statistical analysis
Neuroscience-specific practicals:
- Neuropeptide Pathways
CogNeuro-specific practicals:
- Emotional arousal - galvanic skin response
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Students undertake both experimental laboratory and data analyses.
- Group/team working
- Students work in small groups (3-4) when undertaking a range of laboratory experiments and associated data analyses.
- Innovation/creativity
- Students are encouraged to design experiments to test specific hypotheses.
- Leadership
- Different members of small groups are encouraged to take the leadership role for coordinating the running of various experiments.
- Project management
- Small groups of students collaborate in the design, running and analysis of a series of laboratory experiments, allocating different tasks amongst group members.
- Oral communication
- Students are encouraged to answer questions during experimental classes.
- Problem solving
- Students undertake assessments based on solving both numerical and conceptual problems.
- Research
- The unit is based on students performing a series of laboratory research experiments to collect novel data that allow biological hypotheses to be tested.
- Written communication
- Students write a detailed report of a laboratory experiment and a series of short note answers to questions on each of 8 practical classes.
- Other
- Computer and IT skills in running and analysing laboratory experiments.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 10% |
| Report | 50% |
| Practical skills assessment | 40% |
Degree specific assignment 10%
Report 50%
Practical Skills Assessment 40%
5x Practicals with short-note questions 8% each, Degree specific assignment 10%, Lab Report 50%
RSM Attendance guidelines
Students are expected to attend all scheduled RSM sessions on time (N.B. Health and safety information will be delivered at the start of practical sessions, and students who are not present at the start may be asked to leave the lab). Students who arrive late will be marked as absent for that session.Failure to attend a session (an unauthorised absence) will result in a 10% (i.e. 10 mark) penalty being applied to the overall RSM mark (i.e. a student obtaining a mark of 65% overall will instead receive a mark of 55%). Further absences will result in further penalties (i.e. 2 absences = a penalty of 20% (as described above)).
Feedback methods
Written comments on assessment exercises and lab reports and Feedback session with staff in lecture theatre.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 30 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 66 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Glossop | Unit coordinator |