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Module details for 2022/23.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 4

Module Outline

Science, Research and Critical thinking

The use of statistics allows us to form a quantitative understanding about experimental or observational data and the information we can extract from it. It allows us to make clear statements about the data in a form that can be understood by other scientists. Ultimately, it gives a rigour and clarity to our analysis of experimental or observational data.
An essential aspect of the module is getting experience by solving problems and actually calculating quantities from data. Such experience only comes about from practice and since we are dealing with a highly numerate subject, the details are very important.

A fundamental part of science is asking questions. This leads to a process of inquiry. The results then need to be analyzed and the significance of the results assessed. This is generally done by various statistical methods of course, but looking at how data is represented or misrepresented is also instructive.
The interpretation of findings is a very difficult area, such as can be seen in the climate change debate.
Even if all scientist agreed on exactly how much of the climatic changes we are observing is due to human activities, what in the data can tell us what to do about it?
Where do the questions come from? Observation. Curiosity. Enquiring minds. Then formalizing the questions and come up with an established and/or interesting and/or useful and/or innovative way of approaching a solution.
Neurocientists need to know some specific physics, which are also represented in this module.

Module learning outcomes

Understand a range of statistical methods that are commonly used in the biological and ecological sciences and apply these methods to biological/ecological data. Use a modern software package to process the data and carry out statistical tests.

Show knowledge of the anatomical organisation of the human brain and nervous system, and describe how they are studied and their physiological functional of clinical significance.

Understand and describe basic physical principles underlying the operation of the nervous system including: a. dimensional analysis, solve simple problems in mechanics and solve dc circuit problems. b) analogies between mechanical and electrical circuits and solve simple problems of waves, AC circuits and describe Fourier analysis. c) Brownian motion and diffusion.

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Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Prof Miguel Maravall Rodriguez

Assess convenor, Convenor
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