THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Biomedical Sciences : Biomedical Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Neurotransmitters In Action (BIME10008)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Biomedical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryKnowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission is fundamental to our understanding of the function of the nervous system in health and disease. Through the evaluation of complementary experimental and quantitative approaches this course addresses the physiological, pharmacological and molecular biological mechanisms that relate to pre- and post-synaptic actions of neurotransmitters. Ligand-gated and metabotropic receptor function will be analysed in terms of receptor structure/function relationships; the dependent intracellular signalling pathways; the modulation of ion channels involved in regulating neuronal excitability; and the mechanisms by which neurotransmitters modulate either their own release or that of other neurotransmitters.
Course description The course will comprise of computer workshops, lectures and student presentations. Students are expected to engage in discussion throughout the course.

Co course organisers: M Jackson, P Larkman, RR Ribchester and DJ Wyllie
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Pharmacology 3 (BIME09003) OR Physiology 3 (BIME09004) OR Neuroscience 3 (BIME09012)
Students MUST have passed: Biomedical Sciences 3 (BIME09008)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  25
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 32, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Formative Assessment Hours 1, Summative Assessment Hours 3, Revision Session Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 149 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 70 %, Coursework 30 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 30% ICA
70% Written Exam
Feedback Feedback will be available throughout the course in many forms:
-Written feedback on ICA component outlining the general scope of poster content will be given
-Verbal feedback on layout and content of draft poster will be available
-Feedback from course lecturers on your presentations will be available
-Written feedback on poster presentation and ability to answer questions will be given
-End-of-course feedback session to go over exam questions and techniques as well as specific student questions about topics has been timetabled for students
-Feedback from the exam will be made available.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Neurotransmitters in Action2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Describe a question requiring original research through critical reading of current literature. Formulate one or more testable hypotheses or central arguments from the question.
  2. Identify appropriate methods and models to test the hypotheses or arguments.
  3. Obtain information to address the hypotheses or arguments using appropriate investigative techniques and research tools. Critically analyze the evidence obtained to refute or support the hypotheses or arguments.
  4. Integrate your findings with those of others, and indicate the impact this has on the field and how future work may address outstanding questions.
  5. Communicate your findings and conclusions effectively through your dissertation, lay-summary, and any associated oral or poster presentations.
Reading List
Byrne, J.H. and Roberts, J.L. (2009) From Molecules to Networks: an introduction to cellular and molecular neuroscience. 2nd edn. Academic Press
Nicholls, J.G. et al (2012) From Neuron to Brain. 5th edn. Sinauer.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Special Arrangements None
KeywordsNiA
Contacts
Course organiserDr David Wyllie
Tel: (0131 6)50 4564
Email: David.J.A.Wyllie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Emily Rowan
Tel: (0131 6)51 1515
Email: Emily.Rowan@ed.ac.uk
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