- UCAS course code
- 3L47
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Science (MSci)
MSci Neuroscience
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: 3L47 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Accredited course
- 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
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Course unit details:
Body Systems 2
| Unit code | BIOL21272 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Body Systems 2 outlines the principal functions of the human systems primarily the gastro-intestinal (GI) and the renal systems, this unit explains how these systems are affected by diseases and outlines the available treatments.
You will learn about:
• The mechanism and regulation of nutrient absorption by the GI tract
• The importance of the kidneys in maintaining body electrolyte and water balance
• Examples of diseases of the GI tract and kidney, which are targets for important therapeutic drugs
• How molecular genetics has enhanced our understanding of transport processes in the intestines and kidneys
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Membrane Structure & Function | BIOL21141 | Co-Requisite | Recommended |
| Membrane Excitability: Ion Channels & Transporters in Action | BIOL21321 | Co-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
• To study the principal functions of the human systems primarily the gastro-intestinal (GI) and the renal system
• To learn how these systems are affected by diseases and about the available treatments.
Learning outcomes
Students will gain an understanding of:
• The mechanism and regulation of nutrient absorption by the GI tract
• The importance of the kidneys in maintaining body electrolyte and water balance
• How molecular genetics has enhanced our understanding of transport processes in the GI tract and kidneys
• Examples of diseases of the GI tract and kidney, which are targets for important therapeutic drugs
Syllabus
Part 1 includes
• Introduction: Principals of epithelial transport & dietary components.
• The physiology of the G.I. tract: Digestion and absorption; Control of G.I function; The mechanism and regulation of salivary, gastric and pancreatic secretion; G.I.motility. Management of peptic ulcers and diarrhoea.
• Renal physiology: Glomerular filtration; Reabsorption of nutrients and ions; Production of a concentrated urine; Control of extracellular fluid volume & electrolyte balance; Acid-base balance. Mechanisms of action of diuretic drugs. Renal failure.
Part 2 includes :
• The molecular physiology of iron transport proteins: Ferric reductase, DMT-1, ferroportin, transferrin, the transferrin receptor and hepcidin.
• Cystic Fibrosis: The molecular genetics of C.F.; CFTR an anion channel and channel regulator.
• Diuretic action and Bartter’s Syndrome: Diuretic selectivity is dependent on drug secretion. Na+ absorption in the kidney tubule (TAL) is impaired in Bartter’s by mutations to five different proteins.
• GI tract infections: Causes of and treatments for diarrhoea and peptic ulcers.
e-Learning Activities
.E-learning MCQs questions
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Analysis and interpretation of data in scientific papers which are source material for the second phase of the unit.
- Oral communication
- Questions are encouraged during the lectures. Lecturers also actively question the students.
- Research
- Directed reading of annotated scientific papers which are source material for the second phase of the unit.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 10% |
| Written exam | 90% |
Summative examination 2hr short-note (45%) on campus
Plus one essay question: time limited (45%).
eLearning modules multiple-choice questions (10%)
Feedback methods
• Feedback will be provided as part of two online multiple-choice assessments on lecture content and of the two assessments associated with the eLearning activities
• A "Question and Answer session" will be held to discuss any student-raised concerns
Recommended reading
For Part 1 of the unit, useful background information will be found in the texts below. For Part 2 of the unit, essential information will be found in lecture specific references, which will be listed in the unit handbook.
Recommended Reading
1. Boron, WF & Boulpaep, EL, Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach (3rd edition), Saunders, 2017, Recommended
2. Koeppen BM & Stanton BA, Berne & Levy Physiology (7th edition), Mosby, 2018, Recommended
3. Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM & Flower, R, Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology (9th Edition), Churchill Livingstone, 2020, Recommended
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 21 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 77 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Sheader | Unit coordinator |