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LSC-30052 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

LSC-30052 - Behavioural Neuroscience
Coordinator: Simon Trent
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

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 behavioural 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.
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.

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

critically evaluate the neurobiological mechanisms (e.g. chemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms) underlying behaviours including sleep, dreaming, biological rhythms, sexual behaviour, homeostasis, attention, ageing and language: 1,2
discuss the neurobiological mechanisms that connect motivation, pleasure, pain, reward and addiction: 1,2
compare and contrast stressors and stress responses, and their role in emotions, affective behaviour and psychopathology of disorders: 1,2
work as a member of a group, including the development and execution of ideas and delegation of key tasks: 1
provide an integrated critique on research content across behavioural neuroscience topics: 2

Study hours

Lectures
- 6 x 1 hour staff-delivered lectures
- 10 x 1 hour student-delivered lectures
Tutorials
- 3 x 1 hr in situ tutorials to whole class
- 2 x 1 hr in situ small-group in situ tutorials
Group work towards group presentation
- 40 hours should be spent for meetings to discuss and prepare group presentation
Active learning total = 61 hours
Independent study:
60 hours independent study following lecture sessions
29 hours should be spent for critique assessment
TOTAL = 89 hrs

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 40%
Lecture development and delivery
Students will work in groups of 7 to 9 (approx) to produce one of the 10 lectures (max 40 min long), with lecture topics and group assignment chosen at random. Students will prepare the slides for their lecture and deliver a PowerPoint-based in situ presentation, followed by Q&A's that should be answered by members of the group (worth 40% of entire module). Marking will be through a Presentation-specific marking criteria and marked by two members of staff. All group members will receive the same mark. In terms of support, skeleton PowerPoint presentation will be provided 4 weeks in advance, giving students a foundation for presentation content. Further, each group will have two rounds of 1h tutorial with the Module Tutors, where they will receive feedback and comments about their presentation (2 and 1 weeks prior to presentation). Non-engagement either for the presentation will lead to a score 0% for the individual.

2: Review weighted 60%
Integrated Critique of research content from Behavioural Neuroscience Presentations
Students will each be required to provide an Integrated Critique (worth 60% of overall module). This will consist of two components. A) an integrated and visual mind map, whereby all 10 student-led topics are integrated to each other and to a central theme/topic, which will be provided at the beginning of the module (40% weighting). This component should be highly visual, with clear connections made between themes, including addition of boxes/text to explain how themes are linked and with clear evidence from references/studies (maximum word length: 750 words). A general template for the mind map will be provided. B) a 1,000 word Critique essay based upon two student-led presentations i.e. approximately 500 words for each presentation (weighted at 60%). It is recommended that students do not exceed this word limit as we will be assessing the quality of the answer, not the quantity. It should critically assess and provide insights with regards to the scientific content provided by student presentations and whether it was a) well-researched, b) up-to-date/cutting edge and c) well linked to other/larger neuroscience themes or concepts. Whilst strengths can be briefly mentioned, the work should focus on areas for improvement. It is not sufficient to simply highlight areas that are lacking, but instead, provide the relevant scientific details or research findings into the critique. An in situ tutorial will provide further guidance on this assessment. Students should not concentrate on style of delivery or individual performance, but scientific content only. Students cannot choose to provide a critique on their own presentation. Students will submit their mind map and Critique essay together as a Word document via a Turnitin link prior to deadline.

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