| Unit name | Neurophysiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHPH20009 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Tasman |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Physiology 1A (PHPH10017) or Fundamentals of Body Function (PHPH10014) or Introduction to Neuroscience (PHPH10012) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit you will learn about the physiology of the mammalian peripheral and central nervous systems. The topics cover neurophysiology from the cellular level up to higher cognitive functions. You will learn about how information about the external and internal world is encoded and percieved, how movement is generated and how higher level functions such as sleep are orchestrated.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit builds on the principles of neuroscience and/or physiology that you learnt in the first year. It will provide you with an understanding of the organisation and function of the nervous system that will support you in the remainder of your programme. This unit also includes the development of concepts and skills related to all parts of your degree, such as data handling and analysis and essay writing skills. These scientific and transferable skills will prepare you for the third year of your programme and beyond.
An overview of content
The topics include principles of neurophysiology, motor control, somatic and special senses and higher mental functions. Associated practical classes examine human neuromuscular and sensory function and support understanding of the lecture content.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will gain confidence in your data handling skills through practical classes. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to develop and expand your essay writing skills beginning to engage with the primary scientific literature. Through this, you will be better prepared for the third year of your programme.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the this unit students will be able to:
Teaching on this unit will be delivered by:
Attendance and engagement
You are expected to attend all practical classes. If you fail to attend and/or engage with components of a unit, the matter may be referred to the Faculty Board of Examiners. If the Faculty Board decides that your attendance or engagement has not been sufficient to satisfy the unit's Intended Learning Outcomes, they may decide that you are unable to progress to the next year of study. If this is the case, you will be required to complete reassessment work to a satisfactory standard. This may include additional written work (to be completed during the summer) or a requirement to repeat part or all of the unit in a supplementary year.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The short answer questions in this exam will be consist of a number of questions on selected topics that will assess your understanding of the topic and/or your ability to analyse and interpret data.
When assessment does not go to plan
There will be an opportunity for reassessment of the end of unit exam in the reassessment period. In addition, there will be an opportunity to complete the coursework in the summer prior to the reassessment period. The reassessments will be in the same format as the main assessments.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPH20009).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
