Philosophy, Values, and the Social Sciences (POLS0033)

This module provides a broad introduction to neurobiology. You will study the cell biology and development of neurons and glial cells, anatomical and...

Structure and Function of Nervous Systems (PHOL0005)

This module provides a broad introduction to neurobiology. You will study the cell biology and development of neurons and glial cells, anatomical and functional organisation of the vertebrate nervous system and sensory pathways and perception. You will also get a detailed introduction to the neural basis of behaviour and learn about neurodegenerative and mental disease and neuropharmacology.

The module is available in the second year. It assumes a basic knowledge of biological principles (e.g., A-level). The module is taught jointly by staff from the research departments of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB), and Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP), and is intended to complement modules with more specialised neurobiology content. In addition to lectures, the course offers practical sessions where you will study the anatomy and cellular composition of the human brain, and carry out physiological experiments on motor reflexes, mechanoreceptors, hearing and vision.

Indicative list of lectures and practicals (based on 2021/22 content)

Cellular Diversity
	Glial Cells
	The Brain (2 lectures)
	The Spinal Cord
	Differentiation, Lineages and Plasticity
	Axon growth and synapse formation
	Reflexes
	Motor control
	Membrane potentials and action potentials
	Synaptic Structure and Release Mechanisms
	Ligand Gated Channels and Fast Synapses
	Sensory Systems, general principles
	Vision
	Hearing
	Nerve Injury and Regeneration
	Neurodegenerative diseases (2 lectures)
	Molecular Basis of Schizophrenia
	Autism
List of practicals

1. Neurocytology

2. Human brain

3. Human reflexes

4. Electrophysiology, Cockroach Mechanoreceptors

5. Hearing

6. Vision

Habilitation|Vision Impairment|Children and Young People|Mobility|Orientation|Long Cane Skills