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LSC-30052 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

LSC-30052 - Behavioural Neuroscience
Coordinator: Simon Trent
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
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

Behavioural Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary module designed to develop an understanding of human and animal behaviour in terms of nervous system function.
The module content focuses on the brains of mammals ¿ especially humans ¿ through a detailed examination of both cortical and subcortical systems that mediate specific behaviours. There are occasional references to lower vertebrates and even invertebrates where the study of shared mechanisms in simpler animals is useful. Modern Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary study, and this is reflected in the syllabus in that it draws on information from anatomy, physiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology and neuroendocrinology to bring about an understanding of behaviour.
Topics covered include motivated behaviours that comprise basic and primal drives to adapt to the environment such as pleasure and pain, stress, emotions, sleep and consciousness. Although there are no prerequisites for this module, if you have little or no background in Neuroscience you may find some of the module content challenging.
There is supplemental material listed on the KLE to help you master the module topics. There is also a special ¿crash course¿ seminar in basic Neuroscience.
You will take a very active role in your own learning, working in a small group with other students. There will be close guidance of module tutors to help you develop the lecture content and deliver a part of the curriculum. This will include the preparation of supplemental study notes, reading lists and SAQs.

Aims
The aim of the module is to provide a comprehensive understanding of human and animal behaviour in terms of nervous system function. An analysis of the neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology and neuropharmacology of specific neural systems will be used to understand how the brain produces an array of complex behaviours.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe in detail the neurobiological mechanisms (e.g. chemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms) underlying behaviours including sleep, biological rhythms, sexual behaviour, homeostasis, attention, ageing and language: 1,2
discuss the neurobiological mechanisms that connect motivation to pleasure, pain and reward, and discuss the role of the amygdala in emotional processing including learnt fear: 1,2
compare and contrast stressors and stress responses, considering their beneficial/detrimental effects and its role in the psychopathology of behavioural disorders: 1,2
1
1,2
work as a member of a group, including the development and execution of ideas and delegation of key tasks: critically reflect on good practice in teaching at higher education and apply findings to develop appropriate teaching materials:

Study hours

Lectures
- 4 x 1 hour staff-delivered lectures
- 12 x 1 hour student-delivered lectures
Tutorials
- 4 x 1 hr in situ tutorials to whole class
- 2 x 1 hr in situ small-group in situ tutorials
Group work towards group presentation
- 40 hours should be spent for group presentation
Active learning total = 62 hours
4 hours per lecture (x 15, excluding own presentation) should be spent on attending lectures, note-making from slides/videos and reading core material = 60 hours.
Private study
- 28 hours should be spent for critical reflection

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Project weighted 60%
Lecture development and delivery
Students will work in groups of 5 to 7 to produce one of the 12 lectures (max 45 min long), with lecture topics and group assignment chosen at random. Students will prepare the slides for their lecture and deliver a PowerPoint-based in situ presentation (worth 60%). In addition, students will compile detailed study notes and reading list (10%), five SAQ¿s with model answer (10%) and engage in Q&A's at the end of the presentation (20%). Skeleton PowerPoint presentation will be provided 4 weeks in advance, giving students a foundation for presentation content. Each group will have two rounds of 1h tutorial with the Module Tutors, where they will receive feedback and comments about their presentation (2 and 1 weeks prior to presentation). Module Tutors will assess the quality of each lecture, supplemental material, SAQ¿s provided and engagement with Q&A's, and an averaged group mark will be assigned. However, individual student marks can vary within the group as a result of feedback from anonymous peer review (maximum increase/decrease of 5%).

2: Reflective Analysis weighted 40%
Critical reflection of Behavioural Neuroscience Presentations
Students will be required to write a 1,000 word critical reflection based upon two student-led presentations i.e. approximately 500 words for each presentation. We recommend that students do not exceed this word limit as we will be assessing the quality of your answer, not the quantity. It should include aspects of identification, questioning and assessment of presentation content and whether it is a) well-researched, b) up-to-date/cutting edge and c) well-linked to other/larger neuroscience themes or concepts. It is not sufficient to simply highlight areas that are lacking, but instead, provide the relevant details or research findings into the reflection. An in situ tutorial will provide further guidance on critical reflection writing skills. Students should not concentrate on style of delivery or individual performance, but content only. Students cannot choose to provide a critical reflection on their own presentation. Students will submit critical reflection as a Word document via a Turnitin link prior to deadline.

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