Pain and Sensory Disorders 4

Code School Level Credits Semesters
LIFE4128 Life Sciences 4 20 Autumn UK
Code
LIFE4128
School
Life Sciences
Level
4
Credits
20
Semesters
Autumn UK

Summary

This module has been designed to provide final year undergraduate students a detailed overview of the sensory systems, in addition to the most up-to-date information regarding recent developments in sensory neuroscience research.The topics covered in the module are wide-ranging and will include experimental methods used to study the anatomy and physiology of the special senses. Particular attention will be given to Pain research and related areas of sensory neuroscience. Topics will also cover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive dysfunctions in sensory neural networks and their relevance to the development and persistence of sensory disorders of the nervous systems.

Target Students

Only available to Neuroscience students in Level 4 of the MSci Neuroscience.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

Classes

This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc

Assessment

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

At the end of the module, students should be able to explain and describe the neuroanatomy of different sensory systems. They should be able to critically discuss the molecular and cellular disturbances that impact the neurophysiology of sensory systems and explain the latest research into different sensory processing disorders. A key educational aim is for students to be able to demonstrate their understanding of the mechanisms involved in neural coding of sensory information, cellular transduction events, neuron-glial communication, and the processing and storage of sensory information in the central nervous system. Students should integrate information relevant to sensory systems from more than one source and be able to compare and contrast physiological processes in different sensory systems. They should be able to critically discuss the molecular, cellular and network-level changes that occur in neurons and glial cells that lead to pathophysiological states, such as chronic pain, for example. Students will be asked to read, understand, explain and cite as evidence in argument, appropriate primary research papers that relate to sensory systems and sensory disorders. Students will be expected to appraise and critically evaluate the evidence supporting different scientific conclusions and be able to present coherent and cogent evidence-based arguments leading to specific conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

<p>Knowledge and Understanding: Overview and in-depth understanding of the neurobiology of the sensory nervous systems. An appreciation of past and current models of neural coding of sensory information. The ability to describe the molecular and cellular machinery capable of sensing and transducing external stimuli into electrochemical signals. An in-depth knowledge of the physiological mechanisms involved in pain perception and in the processing and storing of sensory information in the nervous system.</p>Intellectual Skills: Acquire substantial quantities of scientific information systematically, process it effectively, and draw appropriate evidence-based conclusions.Professional Practical Skills: Carry out scientific research and evaluate the validity and quality of source material. Write and construct scientific documents using appropriate styles, conventions, and terminology. Engage in topic discussions and coursework-focused problem-solving activities in the workshops. Students will extend their skills in scientific research, critical evaluation of literature, and scientific communication through the audio-visual recorded seminar as part of the module coursework.

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 07/01/2025.