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Frontiers in Neuroscience

Module description

This module focuses on the neurobiology of disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, the module explores the ways in which recent research has answered questions about the operation of the nervous system, yet also poses new questions. In particular, the module highlights the potential for further progress in deciphering and repairing neural circuitry by considering some of the reasons effective treatments for many neural disorders remain elusive.

The module focuses on eight important disorders of the nervous system, utilising these to understand both pathology and normal physiology. The course is delivered by leading experts working in each of these disorders and will allow you to work with these researchers to identify key outstanding questions in neuroscience and formulate a literature review to investigate your chosen disease area. This module will equip you with the theoretical, analytical, and methodological skills necessary for postgraduate work or study in industrial or academic environments.

This is a compulsory module for final year students of the BSc Neuroscience or BSc (intercalated) Neuroscience Programme. The pre-requisite for this module is NEU1006 Introduction to Neuroscience . However, in exceptional circumstances where you can demonstrate sufficient background knowledge you may be permitted to take “Frontiers in Neuroscience” NEU3008without these prerequisites, but only after discussion and agreement with the module lead in advance of module selection. This module is not suitable for non-specialist students.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Through a critical exploration of primary literature, you will develop an understanding of the normal physiology of the nervous system and how this goes awry in a range of neurological disorders. You will understand how these neurological disturbances may be treated by current therapies and through an appreciation of the latest discoveries and cutting-edge technologies consider what the future may hold for improved and novel treatments. Learning the limitations of investigative approaches in light of the complexity of the nervous system will enable you to understand the key challenges facing neuroscience and the value of an interdisciplinary approach. Critically assessing these issues will provide the basis for the generation of a relevant research hypothesis which you will be able to justify in terms of relevance to human health and the appropriate tools required.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Appreciate, and be able to outline, some conceptual milestones in the history of neuroscience
• 2. Describe the key clinical symptoms and prognosis for eight specific disorders of the nervous system
• 3. Describe the cellular pathology of a range of disorders of the nervous system
• 4. Describe the molecular pathology of a range of disorders of the nervous system
• 5. Explain the wider aetiology of nervous system disorders and the therapeutic options available.
• 6. Review and discuss the current limitations and uncertainties in the diagnosis and treatment of the neurological diseases covered
• 7. Critique recent and emerging priorities for research in neuroscience.
• 8. Identify the question that neuroscience research should prioritise answering within the next ten years.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Discuss how the challenges in data collection faced in neuroscience are being tackled

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Apply critical thinking to the analysis of arguments and the evaluation of evidence
• 11. Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
• 12. Produce clear scientific writing.
• 13. Demonstrate effective oral presentation and explanation of results.

Syllabus plan

The main component of the module is a series of two-week blocks focussed on different disorders, which are led by researchers at the University specialising in these diseases. Subsequently, you will undertake a literature review focused on a disorder of your choice.

Whilst the module's precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Term 1, Weeks 1-2:

• Introduction to the course and a re-cap of the principles from an Introduction to Neuroscience, NEU1006. This is in the format of an in-person lecture .
• Introduction to key concepts and terminology used in Frontiers in Neuroscience. This is in the format of a 2-hour lecture (online videos).

Term 1, Weeks 3-12 and Term 2, Weeks 1-6:

Over a series of two-week blocks, you will investigate eight different disorders of the nervous system. These will likely comprise the following, though the topics and their order may change depending on the availability of staff:

• Topic 1: Prion diseases
• Topic 2: Frontotemporal diseases
• Topic 3: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Topic 4: Parkinson’s disease
• Topic 5: Dementia
• Topic 6: Autism
• Topic 7: Circadian disorders
• Topic 8: Choreas

Within each two week block you will have three contact sessions:

• At the start of each topic, material for each topic such as journal club paper and tutorial questions, set by your expert lecturer, will be released on ELE. 

• In the first week you will have a 2-hour lecture, which gives a broad introduction to the condition, its prognosis and typical treatment. The lectures also consider in detail current research related to the condition.   

• Later in the first week you will attend a journal club, which will cover a paper set by the lecturer. Students will be divided into groups of up to 12 and assigned a neuroscience researcher at the University of Exeter, as a mentor. Within the journal club you will work together with the mentor to discuss a current paper aligned to the disorder being studied. The paper will be chosen to enhance your knowledge, and is not simply a repetition of the lecture content. For example, this might focus on a key or controversial issue. 

• In the second week you will attend a tutorial session, run by your facilitator, and present your findings from your self-directed learning.

Term 2, Weeks 7-10:

At the end of the eight topics, you will research one topic further by undertaking a literature review under the supervision of the topic’s expert lecturer.

You will sign-up for these topics using ELE and will be able to rank the different topics by preference. We will aim to assign everyone to one of their top 3 ranked choices, wherever possible.

You can meet with the expert lecturer during timetabled drop-in sessions, which will usually be held in week 7 and week 9 to discuss the direction of your literature review.

End of Term 2:

At the end of term 2 we will hold a workshop to prepare you for the examination. During the session we will run through previous exam papers and discuss how best to answer the questions. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

BASIC MODULE READING:

• ‘Principles of neural science’, eds. Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell
• ‘Pharmacology’, eds. Rang, Dale, Ritter

TOPIC SPECIFIC READING:

Specific reading for each topic will be made available on ELE.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Browne, M, Keeley, S (2006) Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking
• Gowers, E Greenburn S, Whitcut J (2004) The Complete Plain Words
• Okasha, S (2004) Philosophy of Science: A very short introduction
• Trask, R (2004) The Penguin Guide to Punctuation
• Weston A (2009) Rulebook for Arguments

Key words search

Neuroscience, brain, neurodegeneration, anatomy, synapse, neurotransmitter, disease, disorder