- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


BB50249: Molecular neuroscience and neurodegeneration

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 15      [equivalent to 30 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 300
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Research Presentation (CW 50%)
  • Synoptic Written Examination (EX 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The unit aims to
a) Provide an advanced review of the molecular and cellular processes underlying intercellular communication in the nervous system;
b) Provide an understanding of the neurochemical basis of brain disorders, their causes and treatments.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit you will be able to:
* Examine the properties and interactions of the various classes of receptors and ion channels in the mammalian CNS;
* Examine and analyse advanced-level molecular and cellular processes underlying the neurochemical basis of brain disorders;
* Demonstrate an integrative and critically evaluative approach to the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for common neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions;
* Present a research seminar that critically evaluates the research on neurodegenerative disorders in terms of the models available for researching them.

Content:
Students considering taking this option should have an interest in understanding of the neurochemical basis of diverse brain disorders, their causes and treatments. Topics include methods of studying human brain dysfunction, altered neurochemistry of selected neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, with respect to neurochemical aspects of their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, structure-function relationships of receptors and ion channels, spatio-temporal regulation of their expression, synthesis, release and uptake of neurotransmitters.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB50249 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • RSBB-AFM50 : Integrated PhD Molecular Biosciences (Medical Biosciences)
  • TSBB-AFM50 : MSc Molecular Biosciences (Medical Biosciences)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.