LSC-20077 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None.

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

In this module you will learn how the body builds its nervous system on an anatomical, physiological and molecular level. We will investigate how neurones grow, migrate and change, how synapses are made and pruned and how wiring develops with particular reference to vertebrate nervous systems. The module includes a discussion of postnatal development and the ways in which the nervous system continues to change during childhood, adulthood and old age.
Within the module you will acquire skills in lab report writing, setting lab findings in the context of wider literature, searching for relevant literature and summarising knowledge scientifically and concisely.

To provide knowledge and understanding of the development of nervous systems, specifically: 1) how the different parts of the nervous system form over time from fertilisation; 2) where different components of the nervous system arise in the embryo; and 3) how migration of neurones is achieved in forming specific pathways.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and explain how nervous system tissue becomes organised in the vertebrate embryo and develops to produce the final structures of the adult nervous system: 1,2
discuss specific examples of pre- and post-natal plasticity, and development in the nervous system: 2
prepare a practical report discussing the development of the nervous system in the chick: 1
describe and explain how the lineage of individual cells of the nervous system and their ultimate fates are determined: 2

Study hours

Active learning - 62 hours:
Active seminars ¿ 18h (9 x 2h/week)
Assignment tutorials 4h (2 x 2h)
Engaging with asynchronous material ¿ 40h (short videos and signposted reading)
88 hours independent study:
18 hours reflection/wider reading
30 hours completion of lab report, supplemented by labs delivered in LSC-20107
40 hours completion of assignment 2

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment