ANATOMY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I Stewart

Pre-requisites

BI 20B2 or BI 25B2

Overview

The course will include lectures on the differentiation of the four primary tissues. Further lectures will examine the way that these tissues combine to form structural and functional units along the themes of Surfaces, Tubes and Structural Support within mammals but with an emphasis on the human situation. Practicals will offer demonstrations of traditional and modern methods of analysing structure with practical experience of the analysis of data produced by such methodologies.

Structure

2 two-hour lectures or tutorials per week and 3 full day practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay and short note examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). Continuous assessment comprises: Poster preparation, Image description and analysis, essay/short note and critique.

Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay and short note examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- Essay critique, essay planning and short note form part of the in-course assessment and provide feedback comments in preparation for end of course written examination.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Written comments will be provided on the essay planning and short note and essay critique.
- Written feedback on other coursework.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor L Erskine

Pre-requisites

BI 20M3, BI 20B2, or BI 25B2 or BM 2009 / BM 2509 (the latter BSc Biomedical Sciences students only).

Overview

Focusing on human development, this course will examine the question of how a single fertilised cell develops into a fully functioning organism with a complex, highly patterned body structure. The course will begin with an overview of embryonic and foetal development, the major signalling systems sculpting normal development and causes of birth defects. The structural changes underlying the development of each of the major tissues and organs of the body will be discussed in turn, and the genes and signalling pathways involved will be introduced briefly.

Structure

The course consists of 3 one-hour lectures per week, Simbryo self-study time and 1 practical, with time set aside each week for preparation of an individual oral presentation on a specific aspect of abnormal development.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). Continuous assessment comprises: Individual oral presentation (15%), written summary of the oral presentation (5%) and practical write up (10%).

Resit: 1 one and a half hour written examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Feedback

- Practical reports and written summaries will be marked with written comments.
- Written feedback, including peer-comments, on oral presentation.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I Stewart and Professor M Helfrich

Pre-requisites

BM 2009, BM 2509, AN 3008.

Notes

Restricted to BScBMS Anatomy students.

Overview

• Historical overview of biological imaging techniques


• Light and electron microscopy including specialist, preparative techniques


• Confocal miscroscopy


• Image analysis


• Radiological techniques including ultrasound, MRI, CT and associated specialist preparative techniques


• PET


• The application of imaging techniques in cell and organ culture

Structure

2 two-hour lectures or tutorials per week and 2 full day (7 hours) and 2 half day Practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). Continuous assessment comprises: 2 laboratory reports, 1 problem solving and oral presentation exercise.

Resit: 1 one and a half hour essay examination (70%) and previous continuous assessment (30%).

Formative Assessment

- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.

Feedback

- Practical reports will be marked with written comments.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Written comments will be provided on laboratory reports.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B Platt

Pre-requisites

BM 3502

Notes

Students taking this course may not register for AN 4003.

Overview

There is currently much interest in the organisation and function of the mammalian brain. The way in which neuronal pathways interact to produce given behaviours, emotions and desires, and capabilities such as sensation and awareness represents one of the hallmarks of todays research. In addition, disorders of the central nervous systems (CNS) such as paralysis, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease are of increasing concern to our society. Topics such as these are introduced in lectures, and expanded upon by seminar presentations and practicals.

Structure

6 weeks course, Thread I

1 two-hour introduction, 6 two-hour lectures, 3-4 three-hour seminars (some in groups, some individual) and 3 three-hour practicals.

Additional guidance given for literature work and seminar preparations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and seminar presentation (30%).

Continuous assessment comprises preparation (powerpoint formal) and delivery (in class) of a seminar. A choice of topics is available.

Formative Assessment

- Computer based assessment during practical 1.
- Seminar preparation allows students to practice literature searches, reading of scientific papers, preparation of scientific talks and discussion of scientific contents.
- Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.

Feedback

- Mock exam is discussed with students.
- Written feedback is provided on the seminar preparation, content and delivery.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof B Platt & Dr D Scott

Pre-requisites

BM 2009, BM 2509, AN 3008

Notes

This course is restricted to students on the degree of BSc Biomedical Sciences.

Students taking this course may not register for AN 4002.

Overview

There is currently much interest in the organisation and function of the mammalian brain. The way in which neuronal pathways interact to produce given behaviours, emotions and desires, and capabilities such as sensation and awareness represents one of the hallmarks of todays research. In addition, disorders of the central nervous systems (CNS) such as paralysis, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease are of increasing concern to our society. In addition, we shall consider various injury states and ways of treating neurological trauma. Topics such as these are introduced in lectures, and expanded upon by tutorials and practicals.

Structure

1 two-hour introduction, 2-3 hours of lectures per week, 4 two-hour dissections, 1 all day practical and 2 two-hour tutorials.

Additional guidance given for literature work and practical preparations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Continuous assessment comprises: objective structured practical examination (OSPE), dissection, dissection essay (1000 words).

Formative Assessment

- Feedback given on performance during tutorials and mock problem-solving exam paper.
- Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Feedback given on performance during all day practical in preparation for assessment 1-2 weeks later.
- Regular marks given over 4 week period so students are aware of quality of dissection skills.

Feedback

- Mock exam is discussed with students.
- OSPE is discussed with students.
- Written comments will be provided on the essay preparation, content and quality.
- Example essay circulated to entire class to help them avoid problems and encourage strengths/skills.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Rajnicek & Dr D Scott

Pre-requisites

BM 2009, BM 2509, AN 3008

Notes

This course is restricted to students on the degree of BSc Biomedical Sciences.

Students taking this course may not register for PY 4302.

Overview

This course considers development of the nervous system in a broad context. Topics include the initial establishment of the nervous system in an embryo, the birth and migration of nerve cells, nerve growth and guidance mechanisms, synapse formation, and development of the eye and brain cortex. Discussion of nervous system plasticity encompasses stem cells and regeneration following injury or disease. Students will also develop an understanding of how to undertake human cadaveric dissection and the issues surrounding such work.

Structure

4 one-hour lectures per week. 4 two-hour dissections.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour essay examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%).

Continuous assessment comprises: group presentation, dissection, 1 essay (1,000 words).

Formative Assessment

- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen
- Tutorial sessions for group work
- Regular marks given over 4 week period so students are aware of quality of dissection skills.

Feedback

- Essays will be marked with written comments.
- Tutor assessment of oral group presentation with written comments.
- Written comments provided to each student on their written summary of the group work.
- Example essay circulated to entire class to help them avoid problems and encourage strengths/skills.