Unit information: Learning and Memory (Unit 4C) in 2011/12

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Unit name Learning and Memory (Unit 4C)
Unit code PHPH30012
Credit points 20
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

Endocrinology and Reproduction (ANAT20101) Central Nervous System (ANAT20102) Physiology 2 (PHYY20100)

Co-requisites

None
School/department School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students will study critical current topics in research into mechanisms of learning and memory. The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in: the molecular basis for long term changes in animal behaviour; What is known of the neural substrates of certain types of memory; the ways in which this information has been discovered and potential problems in its interpretation; our understanding of the memory deficits following brain damage in distinct neural regions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • An in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of selected aspects of our understanding of the neurobiology of learning and memory with an ability to keep up-to-date with recent developments in the field.
  • The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
  • An understanding of the experimental tools used to study learning and memory in human patients and in animal models.

Teaching Information

Seminars

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through one 3-hour summative examination in May/June, which consists of two sections. In section A (50%), students will be expected to answer one essay question from a choice of 3, which will assess their knowledge and critical understanding of the field, and their ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature. In section B (50%), students will be expected to answer one multi-part compulsory question requiring data handling/data interpretation and experimental design.

Reading and References

Reviews and key references from the current scientific literature

Related links