Course Details in

Module Title	Animal Sensory Systems, Neurobiology and Behaviour
School	School of Bioscience
Department	School of Biosciences
Module Code	03 22654
Module Lead	Dr R Brandstaetter
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-25 hours Tutorial-3 hours Practical Classes and workshops-14 hours Guided independent study-158 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The evolutionary and comparative approach to the study of natural behavior and its underlying mechanistic control by the nervous system endeavours to understand how the central nervous system translates biologically relevant stimuli into behaviour. This multidisciplinary field, i.e. Neuroethology, is comprised of neurobiology (the study of the nervous system) and ethology (the study of natural behavior). This module will introduce students to the general principles of neuroethology, i.e. the neural base of behaviour and sensory systems. Topics include: Comparative neurobiology (structure/organisation of nervous systems); biological timekeeping (rhythm generation mechanisms; neural and behavioural rhythms); sensory biology (vision, hearing, taste and smell) and sensory ecology (environmental adaptations of sensory systems); neural and hormonal control of homeostasis (neuroendocrine system; autonomous nervous system); learning and behaviour (associative learning; cognition; complex natural behaviour).
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of different neuroethological model systems ranging from invertebrates to humans. Understand the generation of behaviour by the nervous system and about the principles of sensory coding by the sense organs and the brain. Acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the brain controls complex natural behaviour and how neuroendocrine and autonomous nervous systems maintain homeostasis at the whole-organism level. Develope an ability to collect, record, handle, and interpret data and increased their practical and manipulative laboratory skills.
Assessment	22654-01 : Continuous Assessment : Coursework (40%) 22654-02 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (60%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Examination and coursework
Other
Reading List