Using Animal Models to Understand Diseases of the Human Brain

Many major breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of disease have been possible because of studies using animal models. Debate the advantages and limitations of using animal models to understand diseases of the human brain. Discuss in your answer two examples where such studies have proved beneficial and at least one example where they have failed to deliver the desired outcomes.
1500 words +10%
APA style format
References

Coursework Essay Guidance Your coursework essay will be linked to the overall module aims. This work requires you to carry out independent research using information and resources provided both within the module and beyond. All module content will be available to you from week one so that you can explore and use these resources when planning and writing your essay. Below you will find guidance to help you prepare for writing your essay. Please read this carefully before starting you essay and make use of the support offered. 1. A word on reading scientific papers To write an excellent essay you need to become familiar with published research. If you find reading and assessing scientific papers difficult, please take a look at the support provided below: • Reading at University: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=67938 • Finding and evaluating Information: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=51078 • Skills for Study: https://www.skills4studycampus.com/StudentHome.aspx • How to read an academic paper: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=61431§ion=6 2. Essay writing help • Writing at University: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=67939 • The Royal Literary Fund (RFL) writing resources are available to King’s students at https://www.rlf.org.uk/resources-home/ and via the RLF Facebook account https://engb.facebook.com/RLFeducation/ 3. Make sure you understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. • We strongly advise all students to carefully read our student guidance on academic honesty and integrity. You could also take the King’s online training module on Plagiarism that can be found here. Please note: We realise that students who have studied under different educational systems may not understand what plagiarism means in the UK and at KCL, and that UK students returning to education after some years, may not be familiar with current regulations. We have experienced examples where students have been found guilty of plagiarism but do not understand why there is a problem because their actions wouldn’t have constituted an academic offence under their own local system. • Any level of plagiarism has consequences, with the minimum punishment being an automatic zero for the assessment, and the maximum penalty expulsion for a repeated offense. It is therefore essential that you fully understand what plagiarism is. Please note that sanctions applied for plagiarism are irrespective of intention to plagiarise. • Understand that although quoting text (putting quotation marks around a section of copied text) from a published source is not plagiarism, it does not showcase good academic writing in science. © King’s College London 2020 2 When something is not written in your own words it is difficult to determine if you truly understand the topic/concept. There is no need to quote anything when answering coursework essays for this programme, everything should be written in your own words. 4. When answering a question: • Assess the questions and carefully choose a topic. Make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do. • Read widely on your chosen topic while remaining focused on the question asked. Make notes in your own words. • Draw up an essay plan: key points/subpoints in bullet point form. • Order the points to make a logical, flowing essay plan. This essay plan is what you can submit for formative feedback from your teaching fellow. Please remember that this is the only opportunity you have to receive feedback, so make use of it. The word limit for your essay plan is 500 words (+ 10%) and it must be in bullet point form. • Write the essay: o Develop each point in a structured manner to form a logical narrative. o Make sure your writing shows depth of understanding and integrates a wide range of information. Do not just report facts – discuss, debate and critically assess these facts. o Through your reading you will form an opinion of the current literature related to your chosen essay. Use this judgement to help form your arguments. o Show awareness of any opposing views to key concepts/hypotheses but remember to clearly present your viewpoint. o Structure your essay carefully (introduction, main body, conclusion). For further tips see the document on essay structure provided. o Write clearly using appropriate technical terms and academic terminology, and define any acronyms at first use. o Make sure all arguments are supported by appropriate and up-to-date in-text citations, with a list of all citations (in APA format) at the end of the essay. o Reference original sources wherever possible. The word limit for your essay is 1500 words + 10%, that is, 1650 words. The penalty for exceeding this limit is a deduction of 5 marks, and words beyond this will not be considered. The word count includes everything in the main body of the text - headings, tables plus table legends, figures plus figure legends, in text citations. We do not allow footnotes or appendices. The list of references (bibliography) included at the end of your essay is not included in the word count. When writing your essay plan and final submission remember to consult the College Marking Criteria, the marking rubric provided below. • Make sure that everything is written in your own words. Do not: o Copy and paste sections of text from published sources, even if you add a reference at the end – this is plagiarism o Copy and paste sections of text and then change a few words here and there – this is still plagiarism. © King’s College London 2020 3 o Use text from work you have already submitted for formative or summative assessment (or publication) in another module or another course anywhere in the world. This is self-plagiarism and not allowed. o Do not use quotations. In scientific writing we are interested in conveying the concept (and citing the evidence) so quotations are not used unless there is a very specific reason (e.g. discourse analysis in qualitative psychology). o Putting a reference at the end of the sentence is NOT enough to avoid plagiarism. You need to write everything in your own words AND cite the sources of your information at the end of the sentence. 5. Before submitting check your coursework Can you answer yes, to all of the following questions? Does the Introduction: • Set the question/topic against a wider background • Clarify understanding of the question/topic • Define key and any problematic items • Outline the approach being taken Throughout the body of the essay are: • Key points clearly presented • Are all arguments systematically backed up by facts/evidence/examples • Figures/tables necessary (do they enhance the text) Does the conclusion: • Bring together the main points of the essay • Link back to the question/topic • Cite the main conclusion(s) Overall does the essay: • Read clearly • Make correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation • Accurately link to the literature that was consulted • Make full use of the word-limit Finally, please ensure that you submit your work using the correct answer document and Turnitin submission point. Failure to do this may result in your work not being marked. © King’s College London 2020 4 Marking Rubric (to be used in association with the College Marking Criteria) Markers will use their academic judgement when assessing your coursework, together with the College marking criteria, the rubric above and guidance on answer content from the person who set the question. When awarding a final mark, a higher weighting will be applied to points 1-5 & 9, that showcase your awareness, insight and critical understanding of the topic in relation to current literature and possible future research. However, to attain the higher grades it is also important that your writing is clear, flowing and that your essay is well structured. For feedback, you will receive the completed rubric above plus in text comments and general comments via Turnitin that link to the College marking criteria and the rubric.