Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
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 reading lists and model exam questions for study and revision.
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 cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying motivated behaviours;: 1distinguish between stressors and stress responses, and consider their beneficial and detrimental effects on brain and behaviour across the lifespan;: 1discuss the neurobiological mechanisms connecting motivation to pleasure, pain and reward, and how associations between pain and other stimuli may lead to learned fear;: 11discuss the functions, anatomy and physiology of the amygdala to its roles in emotional processing;: 1explain the neurobiological mechanisms involved in sleep and arousal, and evaluate current theories regarding the role of sleep and dreams;: 1evaluate current theories related to consciousness;: 22work as a member of a group, including the development and execution of ideas and delegation of key tasks;: produce an oral presentation, including those used by teachers in higher education.:
17 Hours Lectures2 hours tutorial131 Hour Independent and Group Study
Description of Module Assessment
1: Open Book Examination weighted 40%Online open book examThe class test for the module will consist of a selection of two short-answer questions (2 SAQs) from the ones prepared by the students as part of their group assignment; plus one additional essay question related to the content covered by tutors early on in the module (from a choice of 3). Each short-answer question will be worth 25% of the final assessment and the essay question will be worth 50% of the final assessment.
The examination will be released on KLE module page as a PDF document at 9am on the
morning of the exam.
Students should answer each question using Word, clearly labelling each question as they
provide their answers. Answer questions will be submitted to Turnitin as different files no later
than 5pm on the day of release. International students will be asked to notify the School if they
need an extension due to different time zones.
Although students have been given significant time to complete this exam script, we expect
most students to spend no more than 2 hrs. Answers should be as accurate and concise as
possible.
For short-answer questions, students should pay careful attention to the number of points that each question is worth. In general, we would expect only a few sentences for each point.
For essay-based questions, typical answers would be in the range of 500-750 words per
question. We recommend that students do not exceed 750 words per essay-based question as
we will be assessing the quality of your answer, not the quantity.
2: Group Project weighted 60%Lecture development and deliveryStudents will work in groups of 4 to 6 to produce one of the 10 lectures (max 45 min long).
Lecture topics and group assignment will be chosen at random in week 1-2.
Students will prepare the slides for each lecture and deliver a presentation using an online format (i.e., screencasting or recording themselves with the presentation). In addition, students will have to compile a reading list and detailed study notes, as well as come up with three formative MCQs and five SAQs with their model answers. MCQs will be uploaded on the KLE to enrich and promote student engagement. SAQs will part of the final class test. This material will be made available to all students on the KLE. By the end of the semester there will be a rich archive of content on the KLE available for the students to study from (that was prepared by the students themselves).
Everyone in the group must present/teach the material, screencasting at least the presentation with their voices. Those students who would like to record a video of them giving the presentation will have the opportunity to do so, receiving feedback from the Module Tutors on other aspects of their presentation, such as the position of their bodies. However, this will not be a mandatory requirement to deliver the presentation.
The topics, source material, and references that the students will use to form the base/foundation of their lecture will be prepared ahead of time (3 weeks in advance) by the module tutors. Students will also be required/encouraged to find supplemental material on their own, too.
Guidance as to how to prepare each lecture will be provided so that the structure and format are similar for each group (quality control). This will include a skeleton PowerPoint presentation with slide templates and core material (e.g., diagrams, figures, graphs). Nevertheless, students will have the flexibility of delivering the presentation as they wish to encourage creativity and inventiveness.
Each group will have 1h tutorial with the Module Tutors one week before the final presentation, where they will receive feedback and comments about their presentation.
The class test will be based, in part (50%), on this content prepared and presented by the students.
Students will have to practice and rehearse for their lectures; all content must fall within the 45 min time slot; there will be a heavy penalty should they go over time (-10% of their grade for every 5 min over).
Two Module Tutors will assess the quality of each lecture and supplemental material, and a final mark will be assigned based on a consensus between tutor assessments. However,
individual marks may vary as a result of feedback from anonymous peer review.
Individual contributions to the group work will be assessed by anonymous peer-review (based on a Google form template or similar). Students will rank the work for every member of the group, but also, they will mark the delivery of their own presentation by other members of the group. An average score will be calculated based on these individual rankings. Outstanding contributions will result in an up to 5% bonus added to the final assessment mark whilst poor performance could mean a reduction of up to 5%.
