Undergraduate Course: Neurotransmitters In Action (BIME10008)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | In this course we will examine neurotransmitter release, activation of ligand-gated ion channels, receptor-mediated modulation of neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter clearance. Understanding neurotransmitter and receptor mechanisms gives us insight into how membrane excitability elicits functional effects in individual neurones and neuronal networks. In the same way, exploring the abnormal function that results from inappropriate transmitter release/clearance, and/or altered ion channel properties, informs us of the powerful impact that small alterations in synaptic transmission can have on cellular and network function, and how these alterations underlie diseases of the nervous system. |
| Course description |
The course will comprise of computer workshops, interactive seminars and student presentations. Students are expected to engage in discussion throughout the course.
By the end of this course we expect you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Neurotransmitter actions on ligand-gated and metabotropic receptors,
Downstream mechanisms of intracellular signalling and postsynaptic responses
Mechanisms regulating clearance and recycling of neurotransmitter
The involvement of neurotransmitters, receptors, transporters and dependent intracellular signalling in selected neurodegenerative diseases, neurological dysfunctions, and psychiatric illnesses
Course organiser: DJ Wyllie
Staff: M Jackson, P Larkman, M Daw and DJ Wyllie
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Pharmacology 3 (BIME09003) OR
Physiology 3 (BIME09004) OR
Neuroscience 3 (BIME09012)
Students MUST have passed:
Biomedical Sciences 3 (BIME09008)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students who are either enrolled on the BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences, or who spent their third year abroad, or who are taking an intercalated year, are exempt from the requirement to have taken and passed Biomedical Sciences 3. |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 32,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Formative Assessment Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Revision Session Hours 6,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
149 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
30% ICA
70% Written Assessment (essay + closed book data analysis/interpretation assessment)
|
| Feedback |
Feedback will be available throughout the course in many forms:
-Written feedback on ICA component outlining the general scope of poster content will be given
-Verbal feedback on layout and content of draft poster will be available
-Feedback from course lecturers on your presentations will be available
-Written feedback on poster presentation and ability to answer questions will be given
-End-of-course feedback session to go over exam questions and techniques as well as specific student questions about topics has been timetabled for students
-Feedback from the exam will be made available.
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the structure and function of synapses in different species and in different parts of their nervous systems.
- Explain how neurotransmitter release and action at synapses are thought to be regulated; and how synaptic strength may be determined and measured.
- Discuss the evidence that the signs, symptoms and rationale for treatment of synaptic pathology can be explained by defects in the mechanisms that regulate neurotransmitter release/uptake at synapses.
- Integrate your findings with those of others, and indicate the impact this has on the field and how future work may address outstanding questions. Interpret and evaluate information in original articles and figures.
- Draw together information from different approaches to identify the underlying mechanisms that might contribute to selected neurodegenerative diseases, neurological dysfunctions, or psychiatric illnesses.
|
Reading List
Byrne, J.H. and Roberts, J.L. (2009) From Molecules to Networks: an introduction to cellular and molecular neuroscience. 2nd edn. Academic Press
Nicholls, J.G. et al (2012) From Neuron to Brain. 5th edn. Sinauer.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Keywords | NiA |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr David Wyllie
Tel: (0131 6)50 4564
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Reilly
Tel:
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage