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LSC-30042 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

LSC-30042 - Current Research Topics in Neuroscience
Coordinator: Muriel Desbois
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

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.

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

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate skills in interpretation and comprehension of journal articles and associated lectures and how to summarise a current research topic concisely: 1,2
Evaluate current understanding of selected specific research topics in neuroscience: 1,2
Critically evaluate and integrate knowledge across multiple neuroscience domains to explain complex neural phenomena: 1,2
Critically interpret and communicate current neuroscience research findings in a format of your choice: 2

Study hours

22 Hours of lectures
22 Hours of tutorials
16 Hours of preparation for tutorials (2 hours per tutorial)
15 Hours of work for the first assignment and
25 Hours for the second assignment
50 Hours of private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 35%
a 1000 word Scientific Integrative Summary
Scientific Integrative Summary: Understanding Different Neuroscience Topics Relationships In this assignment, the students are required to produce a scientific integrative summary that demonstrates their understanding of 3 neuroscience topics that were presented to them (first 3 lectures) and highlights how they are interconnected. They will need to look for additional articles to support their arguments as well as explain the different topics. As students will have had limited experience of integrative and reflective scientific writing, this first piece will allow them to use the feedback they get to inform and improve writing for Assessment 2. Students will be evaluated based on those criteria using the UG guidelines: - Are the three topics integrated well? -Is the work supported by primary literature which is cited? - Is the work scientifically sound? - Is the work well structured?

2: Options weighted 65%
Scientific integrative summary in the form of a written review (1000 words), podcast (10 minutes) or a video (10 minutes
Scientific Integrative Summary: Understanding Different Neuroscience Topics Relationships In this assignment, students are required to produce a scientific, integrative summary that demonstrates their understanding of 3 or more neuroscience topics presented to them and highlights how they are interconnected. They will need to look for additional articles to support their arguments and to explain the different topics. They can choose to present that summary using 3 different formats: - review article (introduction, main body, conclusion - 1000 words) - a podcast including the transcript with references mapped to it (9-10 minutes) - a video, including the transcript with references mapped to it (9-10 minutes) Students will be evaluated based on those criteria using the UG guidelines: - Are the three topics integrated well? -Is the work supported by primary literature which is cited? - Is the work scientifically sound? - Is the work well structured?

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026