PN4234 Synaptic Transmission in Health and Disease

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

BSc Hons Neuroscience students have priority on this module

Planned timetable

Lectures: 11.00 am - 12:30 pm Wed and 12.00 noon - 1.00 pm Fri. Practicals to be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr W Li

Dr W Li
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team Taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Extensive and versatile communication between nerve cells using special junctions called synapses endows the nervous system with many complex functions like learning and memory. This module will cover important recent progress in understanding the morphology and ultrastructure of synapses, neurotransmitter corelease and recycling mechanisms, retrograde signalling, synaptic plasticity, the role of glial cells and the development of neurotransmission. Some laboratory work will provide students with hands-on experience of advanced research methods.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PN3313

Assessment pattern

Continual assessment 30% (10% commentaries and 20% lab report) and 2hr Exam 70%

Re-assessment

Continual assessment 30% (10% commentaries and 20% lab report) and 2hr Exam 70%, applies to failed components only.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

A total of 7 x 1.5 hour seminars, 8 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 3 hour practicals over 10 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

21

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

128

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how neurotransmitters are released at chemical synapses
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how transmitters act on their pre- and postsynaptic targets to generate fast electrical signals
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how synaptic strength changes with neuronal activity and during development
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding on how different transmitters are coreleased at the same synapses.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding on transmitters are regulated by transporters.