Postgraduate Course: Neural Dynamics (NEBM11017)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This is an elective course for the MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience. Students learn about the theoretical basis for neural dynamics, experimental approaches for observing and manipulating neural activity and their application to investigation of how neural dynamic mechanisms determine cognition and behaviour. |
| Course description |
Learning objectives
The course will give a theoretical and methodological understanding of:
1. The biophysical basis of neuronal membrane potential dynamics and their role in circuit function
2. Classic and state-of-the-art approaches for measurement and manipulation of neuronal membrane potential dynamics
3. How spiking and sub-threshold membrane potential dynamics contribute to behaviour
Course delivery
Seminars will be delivered by the course team. These will cover introductory material at the start of the course. We strongly encourage students to interrupt and ask questions.
Simulation labs will introduce the Neuron simulation environment and will provide an opportunity to gain intuitive understanding of key concepts that underlie neural dynamics.
Paper presentations provide the opportunity to present and lead group-based discussions of published literature. Each student will be assigned a paper relating to one of the weekly themes and will be expected to facilitate a group-led discussion of the motivation for the study, main experimental findings and strengths and weaknesses of the paper.
Guest lectures will provide opportunities to learn about research related to the elective carried out by groups within the Centre for Discovery Brain sciences. Lectures will give a general introduction to their field and then a research talk based around work in their lab. This is an opportunity to hear world leading researchers talk about their work in a setting where they can engage easily with you.
Paper insights will provide in depth discussion of recent research papers from the course leaders¿ labs. We will try to give insights into how the ideas came about, the experimental design and methods, as well as key results and conclusions. We strongly encourage interruptions, questions and suggestions to follow up on the work presented.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
| Course Start Date |
20/09/2021 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 54,
Formative Assessment Hours 6,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
136 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
25 %,
Practical Exam
75 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Provide details of the Components of Assessment used and their relative weights as percentages
In-course assessment by project supervisor: 25%
This is unrelated to the main body of the elective but makes up the necessary credits for the course. This comprises a report from the project supervisor on the standard of the student's Project 1 work.
In-course assessment (presentation) in Electives: 75%
The in-course assessment will be through a presentation at the end of the semester (maximum 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions). The challenge is to propose a research project that addresses an original question within the broad themes of neural dynamics covered during the elective. The presentation should outline the motivation for the specific focus chosen, the hypothesis/hypotheses, the experimental strategy developed, possible results of the experiments and their interpretation, and highlight long-term outcomes and directions that will follow from the proposed. Consideration should be given to risks, rewards and contingencies associated with the project. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyse data and present findings in an oral or written context to an expert audience.
- An understanding of the theoretical basis for neural membrane potential dynamics and an appreciation of state-of-the-art approaches for observation and manipulation of neural membrane potential dynamics.
- An introduction to software tools for simulation of neurons and neural networks.
- Insights into the roles of neural membrane potential dynamics in cognition and behaviour.
- Development and presentation of ideas and plans for research projects that address novel questions.
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Reading List
| Recommended reading or other learning resources will be discussed with the Supervisor/Elective Organiser at the time of establishing the project. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will develop a critical understanding of the principal theories and concepts in their chosen elective field of interest. They will learn to apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues in their elective field of interest. They will learn to critically evaluate numerical and graphical data. Students will learn to communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists. |
| Special Arrangements |
Course is restricted to MSc Integrative Neuroscience students only |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Matthew Nolan
Tel: (0131 6)50 9874
Email: Matt.Nolan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Jenn Liedtke
Tel: (0131 6)50 3160
Email: Jennifer.Liedtke@ed.ac.uk |
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