General provisions

Included in the Bachelor program in Biomedicine

Entry requirements

35 credits completed courses from the first year of the Bachelor program in Biomedicine as well as completed courses in Biochemistry 7 credits in (3KB030), Anatomy 8 credits in (3AN300), Cell- and Molecular Biology, 15 credits in (3MU123), Tissue biology with embryology, 15 credits in (3MU122) or the equivalent.

Learning outcomes

The teaching intends to provide basic and integrated knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING describe the structure and function of neurons. describe the central nervous system (CNS), the autonomous nervous system and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) including the structure and function of the sensory organs. Explain how the interplay between the parts of the nervous system and the most important neurotransmitters influences the functions of the body. describe how the brain influences sensory, motor and regulatory systems in the body. describe some of the higher functions of the brain including biological rhythms emotions, memory and cognition.

SKILLS AND ABILITY describe and carry out basic methods in neurobiology. explain the theory behind completed practical components and be able to compile and interpret experimental results in both written and oral form. compile and present a literature study.

EVALUATION ABILITY AND ATTITUDES compile, present and to part also review information about the nervous system and its functions critically.

Content

The theoretical course consists of five parts:

Basic neuroscience: Structure and function of the nerve cells, development of the nervous system, synapses, neurotransmittors, the structure and function of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system

Sensory system: The eye, the ear, taste and smell, somatosensory system including pain, diseases of the sensoric organs

Motoric system. Motor units, reflexes, motor control, basal ganglia, diseases of the motor system

Regulatory system: Autonomic functions, regulation of hunger and thirst, neuroendocrinology, biological rythms, reward and addiction

Cognitive system and behaviour: Evolution of the brain, cognition, emotions, learning and memory, language, neuro genetics, affective disorders

The laborative course:

Function of the synapse, electrophysiology, practical electrophysiology

Training in oral and written presentation

Demonstration:

Anatomy of the brain

Seminars:

Literature analyses, case-based learning

A continously evaluation of all the moments will be done, which can leed to changes in the contents in the courses.

Instruction

The teaching is organised according to the guidelines for the students' working conditions at Uppsala University (Dnr UFV 2009/902) and is conducted in the form of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, case-based learning and laboratory sessions. SEMINARS are teacher-supervised group discussions based on prepared presentations of the students about subjects or specific issues. LABORATORY SESSIONS, together with the connected theory, constitute an important element of the course. The laboratory sessions are presented orally, which provides in training in scientific communication CASE-BASED LEARNING is student-led group discussions that intend to identify and follow up issues.

Presentation techniques are an integral part of course elements involving written or oral presentation.

The student's attendance is compulsory at: seminars, case-based learning, all elements of laboratory sessions and at other occasions determined by the course coordinator.

Beside the teaching methods specified in the syllabus other ways of teaching may be used during the course.

Assessment

The following is required to obtain a pass: i) that the student in an active way has participated in and presented the compulsory components (laboratory sessions, demonstrations, seminars and group presentations) and ii) passed individual written examination. In the course, summative and formative examining parts are included. The final written examination includes all teaching subject matters of the course. Strong emphasis is placed on laboratory sessions and seminars with attached theory. Assessment/grading of the written examination takes place anonymously.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.