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This course builds on the basics of nervous system function covered in level 2 and BM3502. The major focus of the Integrative Neuroscience course relates to "Plasticity" associated with neuronal tissue. Structural and functional alterations occur in neuronal tissue during development, in the adult and in disease states. This course aims to: outline a number of these changes; identify and explain the mechanisms underlying these plastic events; provide an understanding of their functional consequences.
Course Co-ordinator : Dr P. Teismann (ext. 7325) p.teismann@abdn.ac.uk
The purpose of this course is to build upon aspects of Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology covered in BM3502, and to provide a background into the role of "plasticity" in tissues. This course is a prerequisite for the Developmental Neuroscience Course (PY4302) which runs in the final year.
The detailed course objectives are:
1. To describe the physiological consequences of pain at the spinal level and novel pharmacological approaches to the treatment of pain.
2. To describe the physiology and pharmacology of vanilloid receptors and their role as integrators of pain-producing stimuli.
3. To describe plastic changes in the visual cortex, and in the hippocampus which is associated with learning and memory.
4. To describe mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson’s disease and neuroprotection by drugs.
5. To describe CNS development, the role of cell surface molecules and cell-cell interactions.
6. To describe the genetic pathways controlling the specification of neurones and the compartmentalisation of the CNS.
7. To describe the enteric nervous system and disorders of the enteric nervous system.
1. Cell biology and nervous system development 1: axon pathway formation, axonal transport and neuronal proteins (Prof C.D. McCaig)
Embryonic nerves project with astonishing precision into appropriate target tissues and within the right tissue to specific cells. The phenomenology of these events will be discussed and mechanistic concepts such as chemoaffinity, chemoattraction and chemorepulsion will be introduced. The function of axonal transport, retrograde, anterograde, fast and slow transport, and experimental evidence to support these. Structural components, microtubules and neurofilaments (kinesin and dynein). Models of how it works.
2. Cell biology and nervous system development 2: Growth factors, survival and cell death (Prof C.D. McCaig)
Approximately 50% of all the neurones produced in the vertebrate central nervous system subsequently die soon after reaching their target tissue. This lecture will examine the factors involved in determining which neurones die and which survive into adulthood. The importance of the target tissue and neurotrophic factors in this process will be discussed.
3. Activity, Genes and Plasticity 1: Cortical plasticity (Prof C.D. McCaig)
Usefulness of visual system in studying plasticity; outline of visual pathways; location of visual cortex; ocular dominance columns; orientation columns; functional systems including form, colour and motion.
4. Neurodegeneration 1: Glutamate excitotoxicity and calcium overload (Dr R.H. Scott)
The relationship between glutamate receptor activation, ion conductances and calcium overload. Osmotic stress, calcium and free radical dependent mechanisms of cell death. Environmental toxins and related diseases.
5. Neurodegeneration 2: Ischaemic injury, Alzheimer's disease and neuroprotection (Dr R.H. Scott)
Define metabolic stress (Choi model), and suggest causes. Effects of ischaemic insult on membrane potential, pH, ATP levels, glutamate release/transport and calcium homeostasis. Alzheimer's disease statistics, senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, link to beta-amyloid, glutamate and calcium homeostasis. Introduction to potential neuroprotection based on prevention, improved perfusion, glutamate pharmacology, calcium antagonists and free radical scavengers.
6. Cannabinoids, pain and obesity treatment (Dr R.H. Scott). Pain has a number of physiological consequences at the spinal level. These include acute small afferent activation, repetitive small afferent activation after tissue injury and trophic changes in primary afferent function and connectivity in the dorsal horn after nerve inury. Spinal pharmacological interventions that focus on these mechanisms will be discussed. The use of receptor agonists (NMDA, kainate, NK1, VIP) and agonists (cannabinoid, GABA). The capsaicin (vanilloid) receptor VR1 is a cation channel expressed by primary sensory neurones of the pain pathway. The activation of VR1 receptors by vanilloid compounds, protons and heat will be described. The physiological role of the vanilloid receptor and the findings from VR1 knockout experiments will be discussed. Emerging evidence suggesting that the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide may interact with the vanilloid receptor will also be explored.
7. Enteric Nervous System I (Dr D. Scott) The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a separate nervous system embedded within the wall of the gut. It is highly specialised and is often termed as the body's "second brain". We will review the major elements of the ENS, studying the physiological processes that it regulates, what neurotransmitters and receptors are involved, and how we target these components therapeutically. We will end by considering different disorders where the ENS does not function appropriately.
8. Enteric Nervous System II (Dr D. Scott) Following on from the previous lecture, this session will consider recent advances in ENS research. Can the ENS influence mood or respond to it? Are there "mental illnesses" of the gut? Why do some drugs used to treat CNS disorders affect the ENS? Does the ENS have a larger role than first thought in various gut disorders? These are questions we will address during this class.
9. Activity, Genes and Plasticity 3: Long-term potentiation: Induction (Dr S.N. Davies)
What is LTP? The hippocampal slice preparation, Transmitters and receptors involved in routine synaptic transmission, Involvement of NMDA receptors in induction of LTP.
Keywords: Long-term potentiation, AMPA-receptor, Metabotropic receptor, NMDA-receptor, Mg2+, Ca2+, Synaptic plasticity, Hippocampus
10. Activity, Genes and Plasticity 4: Long-term potentiation: Maintenance (Dr S.N. Davies)
Overview of possible mechanisms involved in maintenance of LTP (eg presynaptic vs postsynaptic), Mention of immediate early genes, Evidence for a role for LTP in learning and memory. Long-term depression.
Keywords: Presynaptic, Postsynaptic, Release, Kinases, Immediate-early genes, Learning & memory, Long-term depression.
11. Early CNS Development 1 (Dr M Collinson)
The roles of cell surface molecules in defining boundaries in the CNS.
12. Early CNS Development 2 (Dr M Collinson).
The roles of cell surface molecules in defining boundaries in the CNS.
13.Early CNS Development 3 (Dr M Collinson).
The roles of cell surface molecules in defining boundaries in the CNS.
14. Development and Function of Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells (Dr M. Collinson).
The importance and molecular mediation of cell-cell interactions during myelination.
15. Motor function (Dr Peter Teismann)
Overview of control of skeletal muscle system activity; reflexes; signal transduction.
16. Parkinson’s disease (Dr Peter Teismann)
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by disabling motor abnormalities, such as tremor, muscle stiffness, paucity of voluntary movements, and postural instability. Occurrence and characterisation of symptoms, possible causes of Parkinson's disease, treatment.
Student Notes on Behaviour and Safety in Laboratories
Introduction
Please read these notes carefully. They are extracted from the Departmental Safety Policy which is held in all laboratories and which should be consulted for detailed information on safety matters. All procedures in the Department have been risk assessed in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (1988) (COSHH Regulations) and specific experiments may have particular protocols drawn up in accordance with these regulations. These must be read before work is begun.
Laboratories are potentially dangerous places, and certain codes of conduct must be observed to avoid accidents. Think carefully before you undertake any task, and if in doubt about safety, ask the supervisory staff. You have an important part to play in ensuring your own and others' safety.
Protective clothing
You must possess and wear a laboratory coat during practical classes. Do not carry sharp objects in your clothing. Wear sensible non-slip footwear. Use safety glasses, if there is a danger of chemicals reaching the eye. Use rubber or plastic safety gloves if handling a hazardous substance and take extra care in manipulating equipment when wearing gloves.
Fire and accident precautions
During the first class of the session, the class supervisor will tell you where the fire extinguisher, fire alarms, and fire exits are located. Limited first aid material is available in the teaching laboratories. The first aid rooms in the basement and second floor of the department are fully equipped. Lists of qualified first aiders are displayed on notices distributed throughout the department.
General
•Arrive on time in order to listen to the instructions for the practical class.
•Leave bags, etc under the bench, not blocking aisles or cluttering benches.
•Do not shout or run in the laboratory.
•Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth when in the laboratory.
•Smoking is not allowed anywhere within the department.
•Do not pipette by mouth.
•Never leave lit Bunsen burners unattended.
•Take care when handling sharps and dispose of these in special sharps bins.
Laboratory Experiment & Abstract Preparation
You will be given a recent scientific paper and asked to prepare an abstract.
Deadlines for lab practicals will probably change with the re-allocation of the practical.
Abstract: 22nd March 2013
Lab report: 24th April 2013, 26th April 2013, 3rd May 2013 depending on group assignment.
Laboratory protocols must be handed only to Jill Reid in the School Office, Room 2:62:3, IMS Building, name and I.D. number have to be on the laboratory protocol. I also require an electronic version as a word document (e-mail: p.teismann@abdn.ac.uk). Name and I.D. number have to be on the report as well as in the subject line of the e-mail.
Abstracts must be submitted as word-file to myself (p.teismann@abdn.ac.uk), name and I.D. number have to be on the abstract as well as in the subject of the e-mail.
You will be given a recent scientific paper and asked to prepare an abstract.
Deadlines for lab practicals will probably change with the re-allocation of the practical.
Abstract: 21st March 2008
Lab report: 23rd April 2008, 25th April 2008, 2nd May 2008, depending on group assignment.
Laboratory protocols (as print-outs, I do not accept any electronic versions) must be handed only to Jill Reid in the School Office, Room 2:62:3, name and I.D. number have to be on the laboratory protocol.
Abstracts must be submitted as word-file to myself (p.teismann@abdn.ac.uk), name and I.D. number have to be on the abstract as well as in the subject of the e-mail.
There is a regular programme of seminars given throughout the academic year by invited specialists from within the broad field of biomedical research.
These are usually held on Thursdays from 12noon -1pm in the IMS Building at Foresterhill (check the School or IMS websites for specific locations of seminars).
As you are studying within research-driven disciplines, we strongly feel that you should attend these whenever possible, with a view to broadening your appreciation of medical sciences. You will also be directed to attend any other relevant seminars when they arise.
Course textbooks:
•Rang, H.P., Dale, M., Ritter, J.M. & Moore P. (2003) Pharmacology. 5th Edition, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
•Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., Paradiso M. (2006) Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. 3rd Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.
A first Introduction to neuroscience: http//web.sfn.org/skins/main/pdf/brainfacts/brainfacts.pdf
In depth literature:
•Siegel, G.J., Albers, R.W., Brady, S., Price, D.R. (2005) Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects. 7th Edition, Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd, London
Individual lecturers will also provide additional references for those who find interest in specific topics.
The University has strict regulations on plagiarism. If you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism read the University guide on plagiarism at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/writing
Copying or plagiarising another persons work, either from other students or published material in books or papers and submitted as your own for assessment is considered a form of cheating. This is considered by the University to be a serious offence and will be penalised according to the extent involved and whether it is decided there was an attempt at deliberate deception, or whether bad practice was involved. If you do use information or ideas obtained from textbooks or other published material you must give a precise reference to the source both at the appropriate point in your narrative and in a list of references at the end of your work. Direct quotations from published material should be indicated by quotation marks and referenced in the text as above.
Course material will be checked with turnitin for plagiarism http://www.submit.ac.uk Instructions for students are on this webpage: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/biologicalsci/uploads/files/studentinstructforturnitin.doc
1. Attendance: it is mandatory to attend the first lecture of the course as important information regarding course assessment and practical work will be given out. Students who cannot attend have to make sure that they receive the information. They are also expected to attend all lectures and laboratory exercises. Class exercises should be completed by the stated deadlines. Students should inform the Course Co-ordinator if they are unable to attend a class. The minimum performance acceptable for the granting of a class certificate is attendance at 75% of the practical classes, and presentation of all set course work, written and oral.
2. Continuous Assessment (CA): includes an abstract and a laboratory report. CA accounts for 30% (abstract 10%, laboratory report 20%) of the total assessment.
The laboratory practical will be done on April 19th, April 21st, or April 28th on Parkinson’s disease by assessing two patients on the UPDRS rating scale. The data will be analysed during the session, and a written report on the results and discussion (interpretation of the generated data) must be handed in. The paper for the abstract will be handed out during the first session. The laboratory report (3-5 pages) should be written in the following format:
Introduction (on Parkinson’s disease, UPDRS)
Mrs. X
1. UPDRS score:
2. a) Stage of disease process
b) Discussion
3. a) Treatment strategy
b) Discussion
Mr. Y
4. UPDRS score:
5. a) Stage of disease process
b) Discussion
6. a) Treatment strategy
b) Discussion
7. References
There are set deadlines when to hand in the laboratory report and the data analysis. Handing them in late will result in a serious reduction of the obtained CAS grade.
3. Written Examination: the examination will involve answering 2 essay-type questions from a choice of 4. The examination lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes. The examination comprises 70% of the total assessment.
4. Common assessment scale (CAS) grade: the overall performance of the student is expressed as a grade awarded on the common spine marking scale. This is given as a separate handout together with the other elements used for assessment in the different course components.
5. The degree examination is held in May/June, with the re-sit examination in August.
Dr Martin Collinson
Dr Stephen Davies
Prof Colin McCaig
Prof Ruth Ross
Dr Roderick Scott
Dr Peter Teismann
If students have difficulties with any part of the course that they cannot cope with alone they should notify someone immediately. If the problem relates to the subject matter you may be best advised to contact the member of staff who is teaching that part of the course. Students with registered disabilities should contact either (Miss Stephanie Sweeney ssweeney@abdn.ac.uk), room 2:62:3, IMS Building, Foresterhill or (Mrs Sheila Jones s.jones@abdn.ac.uk), Zoology Teaching Laboratories, Old Aberdeen to ensure that the appropriate facilities have been made available. Otherwise, you are strongly encouraged to contact any of the following as you see appropriate:
Course Student Representatives.
Course Co-ordinator (Dr Peter Teismann).
Convenor of the BMS Staff/Student Liaison Committee (Dr Gordon McEwan).
Adviser of studies.
School Disabilities Co-ordinator (Dr Derryck Shewan).
Staff are based at IMS, Foresterhill and we strongly encourage the use of email or telephone the School Office. You may be wasting your time to travel to Foresterhill only to find staff unavailable.
Support Available to Students
The University is keen to help you successfully complete your studies. If at any time you feel you need assistance, there is a range of support services available to help you. These include support to assist with unexpected and/or exceptional financial difficulty, support for disabled students and academic learning support through the Student Learning Service. Further details about all these services area available at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/studenthelpguide/.
We value students’ opinions in regard to enhancing the quality of teaching and its delivery; therefore in conjunction with the Students’ Association we support the operation of a Class Representative system.
The students within each course, year, or programme elect representatives by the end of the fourth week of teaching within each half-session. In this school we operate a system of course representatives. Any student registered within a course that wishes to represent a given group of students can stand for election as a class representative. You will be informed when the elections for class representative will take place.
What will it involve?
It will involve speaking to your fellow students about the course you represent. This can include any comments that they may have. You will attend a Staff-Student Liaison Committee and you should represent the views and concerns of the students within this meeting. As a representative you will also be able to contribute to the agenda. You will then feedback to the students after this meeting with any actions that are being taken.
Training
Training for class representatives will be run by the Students Association. Training will take place in the fourth or fifth week of teaching each half-session. For more information about the Class representative system visit www.ausa.org.uk or email the VP Education & Employability vped@abdn.ac.uk. Class representatives are also eligible to undertake the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award, further information about the co-curricular award is available at: www.abdn.ac.uk/careers.
The University operates a system for monitoring students' progress to identify students who may be experiencing difficulties in a particular course and who may be at risk of losing their class certificate. If the Course Co-ordinator has concerns about your attendance and/or performance, the Registry will be informed. The Registry will then write to you (by e-mail in term-time) to ask you to contact their office in the first instance. Depending on your reason for absence the Registry will either deal directly with your case or will refer you to your Adviser of Studies or a relevant support service. This system is operated to provide support for students who may be experiencing difficulties with their studies. Students are required to attend such meetings with their Adviser of Studies in accordance with General Regulation 8.
Set criteria are used to determine when a student should be reported in the monitoring system. You will be asked to meet your Adviser if any of the following criteria apply for this course:-
either (i) if you are absent for a continuous period of two weeks or 25% of the course (whichever is less) without good cause being reported;
or (ii) if you are absent from two small group teaching sessions e.g. (laboratory/tutorial classes) without good cause;
or (iii) if you fail to submit a piece of summative or a substantial piece of formative in-course assessment by the stated deadline
If you fail to respond within the prescribed timescale (as set out in the e-mail or letter) you will be deemed to have withdrawn from the course concerned and will accordingly be ineligible to take the end of course assessment or to enter for the resit. The Registry will write to you (by e-mail in term-time) to inform you of this decision. If you wish consideration to be given to reinstating you in the course you will be required to meet the Convener of the Students' Progress Committee.
Students who attend and complete the work required for a course are considered to have been awarded a ‘Class Certificate’. Being in possession of a valid Class Certificate for a course entitles a student to sit degree examinations for that course. From 2010/11 class certificates will be valid for two years and permit a total of three attempts at the required assessment within that two year period i.e. the first attempt plus up to two resits.
You will receive a University e-mail account when you register with the University Computing Centre. The University will normally use e-mail to communicate with you during term-time. These e-mails will be sent to your University e-mail account, which you can access using Eudora or SquirrelMail.
It is your responsibility to check your e-mail on a regular (at least weekly) basis and to tidy the contents of your e-mail inbox to ensure that it does not go over quota (see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/email/mailquota.hti for guidance on managing your e-mail quota). It is recommended that you use your University e-mail account to read and respond to University communications. If you already have a non-University e-mail account that you use for personal correspondence, it is possible to set up automatic forwarding of messages from your University e-mail account to your personal e-mail address (see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/local/mail.forward/) but, should you do so, it is your responsibility to ensure that this is done correctly. The University takes no responsibility for delivery of e-mails to non-University accounts.
You should note that failure to check your e-mail or failure to receive e-mail due to being over quota or due to non-delivery of an e-mail forwarded to a non-University e-mail account would not be accepted as a ground for appeal (for further information on appeals procedures, please refer to http://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/quality/appendix5x17.hti).
TurnitinUK
TurnitinUK is an online service which compares student assignments with online sources including web pages, databases of reference material, and content previously submitted by other users across the UK. The software makes no decision as to whether plagiarism has occurred; it is simply a tool which highlights sections of text that have been found in other sources thereby helping academic staff decide whether plagiarism has occurred.
As of Academic Year 2011/12, TurnitinUK will be accessed directly through MyAberdeen. Advice about avoiding plagiarism, the University’s Definition of Plagiarism, a Checklist for Students, Referencing and Citing guidance, and instructions for TurnitinUK, can be found in the following area of the Student Learning Service website www.abdn.ac.uk/sls/plagiarism/.
Absence from Classes on Medical Grounds
Candidates who wish to establish that their academic performance has been adversely affected by their health are required to secure medical certificates relating to the relevant periods of ill health (see General Regulation 17.3).
The University’s policy on requiring certification for absence on medical grounds or other good cause can be accessed at:
www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/quality/appendix7x5.pdf
You are strongly advised to make yourself fully aware of your responsibilities if you are absent due to illness or other good cause. In particular, you are asked to note that self-certification of absence for periods of absence up to and including eleven weekdays is permissible. However, where absence has prevented attendance at an examination or where it may have affected your performance in an element of assessment or where you have been unable to attend a specified teaching session, you are strongly advised to provide medical certification (see section 3 of the Policy on Certification of Absence for Medical Reasons or Other Good Cause).
Feedback Framework
Feedback on assessment:
The University recognises that the provision of timely and appropriate feedback on assessment plays a key part in students learning and teaching. The guiding principles for the provision of feedback within the University are detailed in the Institutional Framework for the Provision of Feedback on Assessment available at:
www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/quality/appendix7x8.pdf
Enhancing Feedback:
The University recognises both the importance of providing timely and appropriate feedback on assessments to students, and of enabling students to voice views on their learning experience through channels such as Student Course Evaluation Forms and Class Representatives. FAQs, guidance and resources about feedback can be found on the University’s ‘Enhancing Feedback’ website at: www.abdn.ac.uk/clt/feedback
Appeals and Complaints
The University’s appeals and complaints procedures provide students with a framework through which to formalise their concerns about aspects of their academic experience or to complain when they feel that standards of non-academic service have fallen short of that which they expected.
The process has been designed to make the appeals and complaints process as accessible and simple as possible and to provide a robust, fair mechanism through which to ensure that all appeals and complaints are considered in the appropriate way at the appropriate level.
A major feature of the process is the emphasis it places on early or informal resolution. All students should note that there is an expectation that they will take responsibility for seeking resolution of their academic or non-academic concerns by raising and discussing them at the earliest possible stage with the relevant individuals in an academic School or administrative Service.
Further details of the processes for making an appeal or complaint, including where to find further help and support in the process, is given at: www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/appeals
Transcripts at Graduation
It is anticipated that students who commenced their studies in, or after, 2009/10, will receive a more detailed transcript of their studies on graduation. The increased details will include a record of all examination results attained. For students graduating in 2012/13 transcripts will show details of all CAS marks awarded, including marks which are fails. Where a resit has been required as a result of medical circumstances or other good cause (MC/GC) this will not be shown, but all other circumstances (i.e. No Paper ‘NP’) will be included.
My Aberdeen (the University of Aberdeen’s Virtual Learning Environment)
MyAberdeen replaces WebCT as students’ virtual learning environment. This is where you will find learning materials and resources associated with the courses you are studying.
MyAberdeen also provides direct access to TurnitinUK, the online originality checking service, through which you may be asked to submit completed assignments.
You can log in to MyAberdeen by going to www.abdn.ac.uk/myaberdeen and entering your University username and password (which you use to access the University network).
Further information on MyAberdeen including Quick Guides and video tutorials, along with information about TurnitinUK, can be found at: www.abdn.ac.uk/students/myaberdeen.php.
Information about academic writing and how to avoid plagiarism can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/sls/plagiarism.
Aberdeen Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes are a wide-ranging set of qualities which students will develop during their time at Aberdeen in preparation for employment, further study and citizenship.
There are four main areas of the Graduate Attributes:
•Academic excellence
•Critical thinking and communication
•Learning and personal development
•Active citizenship
Students have many opportunities to develop and achieve these attributes. These include learning experiences on credit-bearing courses and co-curricular activities such as work placements, study abroad and volunteering. In accordance with the University’s commitment to Equality and Diversity, students can request support with any aspect of the Graduate Attributes framework.
The ACHIEVE website offers resources that enable students to assess and reflect upon their present skills and development needs. The website also contains resources to help students to improve their skills and links to a range of university services such as the Careers Service and the Student Learning Service. Students can access ACHIEVE from their MyAberdeen site in the ‘My Organisations’ section. More information about Aberdeen Graduate Attributes and ACHIEVE can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/graduateattributes.
The Co-curriculum
The co-curriculum enhances a student’s employability and provides opportunities to develop and achieve Aberdeen Graduate Attributes. Co-curricular activities complement a student’s degree programme and include: work placements, study abroad, enterprise and entrepreneurship activities, the BP Student Tutoring Scheme, career mentoring and the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Award initiative. Below are examples of credit-bearing co-curricular activities. It is anticipated that these types of activity will be included on an enhanced transcript for students graduating in, or after, 2012/13
ERASMUS is an exchange programme funded by the European Commission which enables students to study or work in another European country as part of their degree programme. Eligible students will receive a grant to help with extra costs while abroad and a number of our partner institutions teach through English. For more information, visit www.abdn.ac.uk/erasmus/. The University also has opportunities for students to study in a non-European country as part of their degree through the International Exchange Programme. International partners include universities and colleges in North America, Hong Kong and Japan (www.abdn.ac.uk/undergraduate/international-exchange.php). The University aims to ensure full academic recognition for study periods abroad, therefore the credits gained from study abroad will count towards the Aberdeen degree programme for students participating in both ERASMUS and the International Exchange Programme.
Work placements can also form an integral part of a degree programme and attract academic credit. Placements are available locally, nationally and internationally, lasting from a few weeks to a full year and are generally paid. Visit the Careers Service website for further placement information and to find available work placements.
Further information about the co-curriculum is available at: www.abdn.ac.uk/careers
School of Medical Sciences - Guide to Citing and Referencing
This guide should be used to assist you when completing any work for disciplines in the School of Medical Sciences. All work should include citations at appropriate places in the text, with a complete reference list at the end of the assignment. If diagrams/ graphs/ tables are copied or adapted from other publications/ websites, the sources must also be cited in the legend for that item, and included in your reference list.
Good citing and referencing not only improves the quality of your work, but it gives credit to the authors of original work, and makes it less likely that you can be accused of plagiarism. Further guidance on writing and plagiarism may be found at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/writing/ . When you submit work for marking, you are declaring that YOU are the author, that you have not copied it or plagiarised any material from other sources, AND that all sources of information have been acknowledged in your text. Students may be penalised by the University if found guilty of plagiarism.
Students are warned to be careful if using websites as sources of information. These may be inaccurate and are often not peer-reviewed. You are strongly encouraged to use advanced textbooks, peer-reviewed papers or reviews as the sources of your information in your work. Students are also advised to avoid quoting chunks of text in their work. Just because you put quotation marks around some text does not mean that you have not plagiarised it. Try and explain ideas and concepts in your own words.
The referencing style used here is Harvard, similar to that recommended by the University Library (see their factsheet for further information on referencing). Students must use this style of citing and referencing for all work. Other styles are not acceptable. Marks may be deducted if students do not cite or reference properly (see specific marking schemes for details).
Citing references within the text
You must provide citations in the text at the appropriate places by putting the author’s surname and year of publication in round brackets immediately after the relevant text (author, date method).
Author, date method
Jones et al. (1999) has argued that….
Studies have produced conflicting results…..(Bloggs, 2000; MacDuff et al., 1993)
Smith stated (1990)…..and then later work confirmed this (2003)…..
Bloggs (2001) investigated…..
One author (Bloggs, 2000)
Two authors (Smith & Jones, 1982)
Three or more authors (Chesterfield et al., 1995)
If the same author(s) wrote two or more papers in the same year Thwaites et al. stated (1990a)…..and then provided further evidence (1990b)…..
N.B. “et al.” should be in italics, as should all other Latin words/phrases in your text (e.g. in vitro). There is also a full stop after “et al.”, since it is an abbreviation of “et alia” (“and others”).
Listing your references at the end of your work
Your list of references must place the surnames of the first authors in alphabetical order. List all authors of a piece of work unless there are a large number.
Format of references at the end of your work
Book - whole Rang, H.P., Dale, M.M., Ritter, J.M. & Flower, R.J. (2007) Pharmacology. 6th Ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Book – article or chapter within Johnson, D. & Smart, J.S. (1983) Advanced techniques in measuring athletic performance. In: S. Roberts, ed., Sports Science in the Laboratory. London: Macmillan, pp. 3-28.
Journal – article within Furchgott, R.F., Zawadzki, J.V. (1980) The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine. Nature. 288(5789), 373-6.
Website Department for Education and Employment (2000). Student loans: guidance on terms and conditions from April 2000. [online]. Available from: http://www.dfee.gov.uk/loan2000/index.html [Accessed 23rd March 2006]
