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PHYS30280

Academic Year 2024/2025

Psychiatric and Neurological brain disorders (PHYS30280)

Subject:
Physiology
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Jeffrey Glennon
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module outlines the biological and neural basis of a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders. It addresses the underlying clinical phenotypes and how they are influenced by genetic, biological and environmental factors. Topics include both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders as varied as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and psychopathy. This module also highlights shared traits across these brain disorders and their common biological / neural substrates. Where relevant, treatment approaches and translational models are also discussed.

Tutorial and/or practical demonstration sessions focused on selected topics will also be carried out. These will also seek to highlight the clinical and patient-voice elements related to these brain disorders.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:

Describe the mechanisms underlying different brain disorders.
Describe those genetic, environmental and neural factors affecting central nervous system involvement in psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Explain the common mechanisms and shared comorbidity underlying traits associated with these disorders
Describe the most relevant clinical phenotypes and current treatment approaches
Describe relevant animal translational models of the traits underlying brain disorders

Indicative Module Content:

Topics include both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders as varied as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and psychopathy. Each disorder will highlight the current knowledge of genomic, neural and somatic mechanisms. Where appropriate, translational approaches will also be introduced.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18

Small Group

6

Autonomous Student Learning

96

Total

120


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Small group lectures, tutorials and / or practicals

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Continuous assessment 1. Short answers questions. Covers lectures 1-10. Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Continuous assessment 2. Short answer questions. Covers lectures 11-20. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
No
Exam (In-person): Examination. Essay style questions. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
70
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment • Group/class feedback, post-assessment

Neuroscience. Purves. 6th edition (2018).

The Cognitive Neurosciences. Poeppel, Mangun, Gazzaniga, Blakemore and Preuss. MIT Press. 6th edition (2020).

Name Role
Dr Marian Tsanov Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50