LSC-30042 - Current Research Topics in Neuroscience
Coordinator: Stanislaw Glazewski Room: HUX164 Tel: +44 1782 7 33029
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing research areas with new concepts and ideas emerging all the time. Keeping track of these new areas is a challenging but rewarding task for the neuroscientist, especially those interested in deep knowledge of their subject and potentially interested in a research career. In this module you will learn about the most recent advances in selected fields of neuroscience and their implications. You will be expected to read journal articles on a specific topic and learn how to summarize and evaluate the subject area concisely, in the process developing a better understand of the subject and an ability to identify the key points and what they mean for the future of neuroscience. Assessment will be on a portfolio of summaries of selected research topics (you will be able to choose your four best out of seven for assessment), including a reflective summary.

Aims
To provide an in-depth grounding in a selection of relevant, current neuroscience research areas. To promote reflection on neuroscience as a disciplne and its possible future directions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate a deep knowledge of selected specific current research topics in neuroscience; will be achieved by assessments: 1
evaluate current understanding of selected specific research topics in neuroscience; will be achieved by assessments: 1
demonstrate skills in interpretation and comprehension of journal articles and associated lectures and how to summarize a current research topic concisely. will be achieved by assessments: 1

Study hours

18 Hours lectures
12 Hours tutorials
120 Hours private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 100%
4500 word summary of 4 of the research topics, including a reflective overview.
Each student will produce by the end of the module, a portfolio consisting of 1000 word evaluations of four of the research topics (total seven topics) covered in the module. Students will be expected to summarize and demonstrate understanding of each topic and evaluate its importance in the present day and future neuroscience. An initial 500 word evaluation of the first topic will be assessed formatively in the early part of the module and feedback given so that students will be able to see how to improve their submitted summaries. There will be marking criteria available as well - specifically markers will look for comprehension skills, evaluation of the topic in relation to previous work on it and its relationship with other research areas, and good use of additional literature. At the end of the module the student will hand in their portfolio containing their chosen 4 evaluations for summative assessment. They will also be asked to include a 500 word reflective overview of their portfolio (total words 4500) indicating the relevance of the topics to broader neuroscience themes and likely future directions that might stem from them.