University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: BSc Hons Neuroscience students have priority on this module

Planned timetable: Lectures: Week(s) 1- 5 & 7, 10 & 11 Fri 2-4pm. Practical 1 Week 2 Thu 11-1pm. Practical 2 Week 8 Thu 2-5pm. Practical 3 Week 9 Fri 2-5pm

Predators and their prey are locked in an evolutionary arms race which continuously refines and improves the abilities of predators to locate and capture prey and of prey to detect and evade predators. The resulting selective pressure has produced spectacular adaptations in both the nervous systems and the anatomy of the animals concerned. This, combined with the usually unambiguous motivation of the animals involved in predator-prey interactions (eat or starve, escape or be eaten) has made such adaptations favoured targets for study by neuroscientists, behavioural scientists and bio-mechanicists. Students on this course will undertake a sense of guided case studies researching the primary literature, and the course will also include some hands-on laboratory demonstrations. The aim ls both to uncover some general principles of neural and biomechanical organisation, and also to reveal the variety and ingenuity with which evolution has found different solutions to shared problem

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Maximum weekly contact 3 hrs delivered via a combination of lectures, journal clubs, and labs. Details as follows: 2x 2hr lectures in weeks 1,2; 6x 2hr journal clubs in weeks 3,4,5,7,10,11; 2x 3hr labs in weeks 8 and 9.

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 128

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Continual assessment 30% (essay) and 2hr Exam 70%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 70%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 30%

Re-assessment: 30% continual assessment, 70% written exam. Re-assessment applies to failed components only.

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr M F Zwart
Module teaching staff: Team Taught
Module coordinator email mfz@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• demonstrate an appreciation how animals detect the presence of other animals, using senses such as vision, hearing, olfaction and special senses such as electric fields
• demonstrate an understanding of the neural basis of cost-benefit analyses regarding whether to attack or ignore (predators) or escape or freeze (prey)
• demonstrate an understanding of the neural and biomechanical mechanisms underlying the generation of extremely rapid responses
• demonstrate an appreciation the role of neurotoxins in predation and defence against predators