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LSC-20078 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-20078 - Neuroscience Research Methods
Coordinator: Jenny Shin
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

Experimentation is at the heart of scientific pursuit. Within this module, we will focus on the key principles of research design, data analysis, statistics, presenting data and drawing appropriate conclusions. This will help you to prepare for your final year experimental project and help you to develop key scientific skills that are highly sought after by a number of different employers.

Within LSC 20107 Practical Skills in Bioscience you will take part in a comprehensive range of labs that could include: microscopy, electrophysiology, pharmacology and both molecular and behavioural techniques. Within this module, we will explore these research methodologies in more detail and you will learn how to present scientific findings to a range of different audiences.

Aims
To provide students with an understanding of research study design, statistics and reporting applied to key Neuroscience research methodology including, light microscopy and cell staining, electrophysiology, pharmacology, molecular and behavioural techniques.

Intended Learning Outcomes

evaluate the principal techniques employed in neuroscience research: 1,2,3
analyse data and present findings in both tabular and graphical forms: 1,2,3
locate, evaluate and retrieve information from a variety of resources including textbooks, primary literature and the internet and assess, summarise and communicate information accurately: 1,2,3
use spreadsheets, word processors and statistical packages to compile, analyse, compare and interpret data derived from experiments: 2,3

Study hours

Active learning
22 hours live tutorials and workshops
15x 5 hours engagement with asynchronous material
8 hours preparation for 4 labs delivered as part of LSC-20107 Practical skills in Bioscience
Independent study hours:
35 hours completion of ICA1
35 hours completion of ICA2
2 hours online, end-of-semester timed test
123 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Online Tasks weighted 60%
Online class test (2-hour active learning in a 4-hour assessment window)
This paper will be released as a timed test in Blackboard. Students will find a link to this test on KLE on the day of the assessment. Once started, students will be given 4 hrs to complete. This is 2 hours more than we expect most students will actually need. International students will be asked to notify the School if they need an extension due to different time zones. This test will comprise a number of multiple choice and short answer questions. All questions are compulsory. Students should pay careful attention to the number of points that each question is worth. In general, we would expect only one or two sentences for each point.

2: Research Report weighted 20%
Lab report
A 1000-word lab report written in the style of a specific journal. This report will be based on one of the practicals delivered in LSC-20107.

3: Assignment weighted 20%
Digital Poster
Students will design a digital poster with 3-5 minute recorded narrative that could be used as a flash talk to inform the scientific community.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024