BMD2007 : Neuroscience: Essentials and Beyond (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Claudia Racca
- Co-Module Leader: Professor Andrew Trevelyan
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are to learn and understand the:
1. Principles of nervous system organization - structure
2. Principles of how the nervous system works - function
3. Principles of experimental methods and techniques used in neuroscience
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics covered by this module include:
1. Review of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
2. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic function
3. Research methods applied to neuroscience
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Mixture of didactic and flip classroom sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Data handling session Revision and preparation of assessment session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Discussion based seminar sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In person Scientific paper interpretation workshop to practice for end of the module exam. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 168 | 1:00 | 168:00 | Writing up lecture, seminar notes, Assessment preparation and completion, Directed research and reading, Skills practice, Formative MCQ, Reflective learning activity |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introductory lecture |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures a formal taught session to the whole cohort which consists largely of the exposition of theory, themes, methodologies and techniques. These will form the basis of a student’s understanding of the taught subject and will provide students with key information to achieve the learning outcomes of the module.
Seminars will encourage contextualisation of taught material through discussion, Q&As, data interpretation and problem-solving.
Workshop will provide skills training and potentially assessment guidance. Workshops foster active learning, collaboration, and critical thinking. It bridges theory and practice by engaging students in problem-solving, discussions, and hands-on activities, enhancing understanding and retention while developing teamwork and communication skills.
Independent study will allow students to extend their knowledge and prepare for assessments through consolidation of module content, reading of books, journal articles and other recommended references.
Practical classes will enable students to consolidate knowledge and develop skills including recording and analysing biological specimens. They will enable students to problem-solve with real-world data, reinforcing theoretical concepts and, also, gain skills in using scientific software.
In-course assessment will teach students time management and organisation and encourage independent working, as well as supporting their understanding of the subject.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 24 | Two-part exam: Part 1: Digital - Inspera invigilated Quiz format exam (60 mins) (24%), max 60 questions Inspera open for duration of the exam 120mins |
| Written Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 36 | Two-part exam: Part 2: Written – paper interpretation exercise (60 mins) (36%), maximum 10 short answers. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 40 | Q&A Style report for Practical (Max 10 Qs and 1500 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Online PIE assessment completed in own time |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The quiz format question section of the examination will assess the students' knowledge and understanding of taught material and additional reading; the scientific paper interpretation section of the examination will assess the students’ ability to use their knowledge and understanding of the topics to data presented in a scientific research paper. Overall, the examination provides evidence of individual knowledge and understanding of the topics.
The practical report supports the students’ development in addressing, analysing, and solving problems, answering questions, critically analysing and interpreting data and current supportive literature and draw appropriate conclusions. Students will also develop their written communication skills.
The formative scientific paper interpretation exercise assesses students’ ability to interpret data presented in a scientific research paper and will prepare students for the scientific paper interpretation element of the examination.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD2007's Timetable