Brain and Behaviour (C8518)
Brain and Behaviour
Module C8518
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module provides an introduction to brain mechanisms and behaviour. Topics covered will normally include: ionic mechanisms underlying the nerve action potential; synapses and neurotransmission; neuropharmacology of commonly used anti-depressant and anxiolytic drugs; functional neuroanatomy of the human brain; brain development and neurogenetics; neural mechanisms in motor behaviour, initiation of voluntary actions; neural mechanisms underlying plasticity and learning; individual differences. The module consists of a series of 22 lectures, 2 seminars and 2 practical classes.
Week 1
LEC1: Introduction
Week 2
LEC2&3: Neurodevelopment
PRAC: Neuroanatomy
Week 3
LEC4&5: Neurogenetics
Week 4
LEC6&7: Sensory Systems (NEW)
Week 5
LEC8&9: Motor Systems (NEW)
SEM: Behavioural Genetics
Week 6
LEC10&11: Neurotransmission
Week 7
LEC12&13: Excitation
Week 8
LEC14&15: Inhibition
PRAC: Action Potentials
Week 9
LEC16&17: Neuromodulation
Week 10
LEC18&19: Emotion
Week 11
LEC20&21: Cognition and Reward
SEM: Exploring Human Conditions
Week 12
LEC23: Summary and Revision
Personality and individual difference will be highlighted and focused on at various points in the module through:
Gene Environment Interactions
Biomarkers / Endophenotypes
Pharmacogenetics - Individualized Medicine
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Mid Year Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Practical Report | T1 Week 10 | 50.00% |
| Practical Report | T1 Week 5 | 50.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Teaching | LECTURE | 1 hour | 222222222222 |
| Autumn Teaching | PRACTICAL | 2 hours | 001000010000 |
| Autumn Teaching | SEMINAR | 1 hour | 000001000010 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Tamzin Ripley
Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/23415
Dr Sarah King
Convenor, Assess convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/9946
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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.
