Undergraduate Course: Mechanisms of Forebrain Development (PYBM10029)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Physiology (Biomedical Sciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The embryonic forebrain gives rise to several structures including the cerebral cortex which is important for all higher cognitive functions unique to humans. Cortical malformations are thought to cause a number of cognitive diseases including mental retardation, epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. This course will explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms which underlie the normal and abnormal formation of forebrain structures. It will address how signalling pathways and transcription factors interact to pattern the forebrain, the characteristics of embryonic and adult stem cells and how migration and axon pathfinding defects result in cognitive disorders of the cerebral cortex. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Determinants controlling forebrain patterning;
The roles of a wide range of different cellular processes (proliferation, differentiation, migration, axon pathfinding) involved in cortical development;
How abnormal processes can lead to cognitive disorders
Demonstrate an ability to:
Take a critical approach to different models, concepts and approaches to forebrain development.
Make constructive use of research and theory to design and plan projects in forebrain development.
Take an informed part in debate about issues with current concepts of forebrain development.
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Assessment Information
| 100% Written exam |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PHYSMechfordev |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mike Ludwig
Tel: (0131 6)50 3275
Email: Mike.Ludwig@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Victoria Farrar
Tel: (0131 6)51 9041
Email: v.farrar@ed.ac.uk |
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