| Unit name | Cell Signalling in Neuroscience |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0082 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Anastasiades |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this Unit important?
Cells communicate via complex signalling cascades that allow them to regulate internal biochemical processes and adapt to meet changes in their environment. This process is critical to the function of the nervous system, with neurons displaying many unique adaptations to standard cell signalling processes. These signalling pathways regulate diverse aspects of neuronal physiology and are also implicated in a range of disorders that impact brain health. This unit will teach you about basic principles of cell signalling, review key signalling pathways, and highlight their contribution to normal and pathological brain function.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Cell signalling is a foundational process on which many of the complex higher-order concepts covered in subsequent units of the programme are built. Therefore, the content learnt during this unit will prepare you for later aspects of your studies. During the unit you will also be encouraged to develop your problem solving and data interpretation skills which will allow you to critically appraise the scientific literature and your own data as you move into more practical elements of the programme.
Overview of content
You are given a background in receptors and signal transduction with emphasis on neuronal signalling.
The aims of the unit are to provide a broad overview of cell-cell communication in the brain - introducing key concepts such as different mechanisms for achieving cell-cell communication, the types of molecules involved, the nature and classification of receptors, synaptic transmission and neuromodulation, the generation and exploitation of transmembrane ion gradients, and the importance of protein phosphorylation.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will learn foundational knowledge with regards to the mechanisms of cell signalling. You will be able to understand how these processes work in the brain and link changes in cell signalling to changes in brain function. You will also develop skills to critically appraise biological data related to cell signalling so that you are better able to interpret data encountered in, for example, scientific publications.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the unit you will be able to:
You will primarily learn through lectures, where core information is presented. Importantly, these sessions are interactive, where you will be given opportunities to ask questions, and given short tasks to complete so that you can confirm your own understanding of the taught topics.
You will undertake independent learning by reading relevant materials that have been chosen to re-enforce information presented during lectures.
You will learn through interactive tutorials where, working in groups, students will discuss ideas and understanding with others and work together to solve problems. These will feed into larger, whole-class discussions about the key concepts covered in the session.
These ways of learning will prepare you for the summative assessment, which involves synthesising the information you have learnt in the unit and applying it to solve scientific problems.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative tasks will include weekly MCQs delivered via Blackboard with model answers. Two in-person sessions will be provided, one on data interpretation and another one on critiquing a scientific publication. These sessions and associated feedback will prepare you for the summative assessment. Students will also be given previous examples of exam questions to work through as preparation for the summative assessment and model answers will be provided as feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment (100%) for the unit comprises a timed open-book assessment where students are expected to interpret data related to cell signalling.
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
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. BRMSM0082).
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.
