The Scope of Neuroscience (P01048)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-P01048

The aim of this week is to put the discipline of neuroscience into perspective. We will begin by, literally, "brainstorming" the subject. When we think of neuroscience, what other words, methods, approaches, concepts and levels of understanding spring to mind? We will then consider the breadth of approaches that may be applied to questions focused on brain function. We will discuss how brain functions are implimented at the level of neurones, axons and synapses. We will set these cellular units into context, by examining brain structure overall, in the living human as visualised with MRI. We will consider some of the most pressing problems in clinical neuroscience, requiring solutions on an industrial scale. We will discuss experiments that tell us how the form of the brain develops, how brain development sometimes goes wrong, and other forms of neuropathology in the adult nervous system. We will consider how molecular neurobiology and computational neuroscience are transforming our views of brain and mind. In tutorial, we will discuss some recent papers in which relationships between normal synaptic function and neurodegeneration are explored. Finally,the week is rounded off with some wise, yet provocative thoughts and ideas from a Nobel prize-winning physicist; and we will discuss how such ideas may be extended to finding out about how the brain and mind work; and that this can and should be both a worthwhile endeavour, and a pleasure.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Neuroscience, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Block 1 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 35 hour(s) per week for 1 weeks

? Additional Class Information : Week 1.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To provide an overview of Neuroscience as a discipline; To provide experience and exposure to contemporary methods and techniques used in Neuroscience research; To provide instruction in good laboratory practice; To encourage a quantitative approach to the investigation of problems in Neuroscience; To provide training and practice in analysis and oral presentation of scientific data and research papers; To provide opportunities to design, execute and report original research; To provide an opportunity to attend and present work at scientific meetings.