LSC-30039 - 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

LSC-20076 Learning and Memory

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The adult nervous system displays quite a remarkable ability to regenerate following degeneration or trauma. Furthermore, it has been extensively demonstrated that primary neuronal tissue/cells can be transplanted into the adult nervous system, and given an appropriate time period can integrate with the host tissue, ultimately restoring neurological function.
You will explore regeneration and repair strategies across the peripheral and central (brain and spinal cord) nervous systems, and examine their application in an array of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord trauma and stroke.
The module is mainly delivered through the release of short, pre-recorded videos which will be fully supported by live workshops and tutorials all delivered by tutors with active research in nervous system regeneration and repair. You will hear about their current research and get involved in debates on current regeneration topics. Additionally, thanks to the in-course assessments and associated workshops, you will explore and learn two important and essential skills in science: how to write a grant proposal and how to critically peer-review.

To provide an in-depth grounding in the mechanisms underlying regeneration and repair in the nervous system, covering the application of these mechanisms to a range of neurological disorders.

Intended Learning Outcomes

define and explain the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in repair and regeneration of the central and peripheral nervous system: 1
evaluate evidence from experimental and clinical trials draw own conclusions regarding the efficacy of neurological cell transplantation: 1,2,3
discuss the efficacy of emerging sources of transplant tissue (i.e., Stem Cells, Genetically Modified Tissue), in relation to existing neurological disorders: 1,2,3
evaluate and explain current bioengineering approaches used in repairing and regenerating the nervous system: 1,2,3
prepare a grant proposal that in turn will be used in a peer-review process. This will enable students to critically and constructively evaluate both their own aims and methods (in writing the grant) and those presented in a grant written by a current student on the module: 1,2,3

Study hours

46 h active learning:
Active lectures ¿ 10h
Tutorial ¿ 16h
Engaging with asynchronous content ¿ 20h

104 h independent study:
60 hours for in-course assessment:
- Assessment 1 (grant proposal): 30 hours
- Assessment 2 (peer-review): 10 hours
- Assessment 3 (panel): 20 hours
44 hours private study
- 33 h reading around lectures
- 11 h preparation and reflection on tutorials

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment