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Unit outline_

ANAT2910: Concepts in Neuroanatomy Adv

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students are introduced to the structure and organisation of the central and peripheral nervous system. The course begins with an exploration into the make-up of the individual cells, followed by an examination of the different regions of the nervous system. A final theme of the course touches on the organisation of various systems (sensory and motor), together with aspects of higher-order function such as memory and language. In essence, the subject covers general concepts of organisation, structure and function of the brain. The laboratory practical sessions offer students the special privilege to examine human specimens in the Anatomy labs and museum. Tutorial meetings will provide the opportunity to encounter topics in functional anatomy and histology of the brain using photographs, diagrams, models, animations and problem-solving. Topics in identification of central nervous system structure in typical magnetic resonance images will assist in reinforcing the theory of functional anatomy in a format students are likely to encounter in further study and in real-world situations and readings. This course will be of considerable interest to students studying anatomy and related disciplines, as well as those wishing to pursue further study in Neuroscience at senior levels.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A mark of 70 or above in BIOL1XXX or MEDS1X01 or CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ANAT2010 or BIOS1171 or BMED2401 or BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2405 or BMED2406 or BMED2801 or BMED2802 or BMED2803 or BMED2804 or BMED2805 or BMED2806 or BMED2807 or BMED2808
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Karen Cullen, karen.cullen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Theory exam
Theory exam
40% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Practical exam
Identifications on pictures, models and specimens, short function questions
20% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Online quizzes
Untimed online quiz; matching, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice questions
15% Multiple weeks 1-1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial quiz In-class mid-semester quiz
In-class anatomy lab quiz
10% Week 07 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Scientific e-poster or scientific review (adv)
Text & graphic presentation of current or historical topic in neuroanatomy.
15% Week 11 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO8
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Online quizzes: Three quizzes related to tutorial sessions and lecture material. Each quiz is of equal weighting.
  • In-class quiz: The quiz will assess students’ progress in understanding the lecture and tutorial material. Questions closely resemble questions in the final exams.
  • Short scientific review: The scientific review will focus on neuroscience research.
  • Practical exam: The practical exam will consist of identification of CNS structures and short factual questions on core functions and connections. The material to be tested is covered in the practical notes.
  • Theory exam: This exam is sampled from each of the lectures. Structure and function are central concepts in this examination.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to concepts in neuroanatomy Lecture (1 hr)  
Microanatomy of neurons - structure and function Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 02 Online neurohistology module Tutorial (2 hr)  
Glia - the 'other' cells of the brain Lecture (1 hr)  
Looking at neurons - neurohistology Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 03 Organisation of the mammalian nervous system Lecture (1 hr)  
Organisation of the peripheral nervous system Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 04 Organisation of the CNS plus ventricles and meninges Tutorial (2 hr)  
Motor pathways 1 - general organisation Lecture (1 hr)  
Motor pathways 2 - skilled movement Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 05 The spinal cord: general anatomy plus ascending and descending tracts Tutorial (2 hr)  
Motor pathways 3 - demonstration of emotional systems Lecture (1 hr)  
Motor pathways 4 - autonomic nervous system Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 06 Brainstem 1 - general anatomy plus ascending and descending tracts continued Tutorial (2 hr)  
Sensory pathways 1 - general organisation Lecture (1 hr)  
Sensory pathways 2 - details of somatosensation Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 07 Brainstem 2 - cranial nerves Tutorial (2 hr)  
Sensory pathways 3 - pain and perception Lecture (1 hr)  
Sensory pathways 4 - details of the visual system Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 08 Techniques in neuroanatomy 1 - tracing connections Lecture (1 hr)  
TBA Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 09 The cerebral cortex Tutorial (2 hr)  
Techniques in neuroanatomy 2 - imaging the brain in vivo Lecture (1 hr)  
Brain maps - cerebral cortex and subcortex Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 10 Blood brain barrier Lecture (1 hr)  
Building a brain 1 Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 11 Diencephalon and the limbic system Tutorial (2 hr)  
Building a brain 2 - brain development Lecture (1 hr)  
Building a brain 3 - neuroanatomy of memory Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 12 Basal ganglia and cerebellum Tutorial (2 hr)  
Brain ageing and neurodegeneration - cognitive disorders Lecture (1 hr)  
Brain ageing and neurodegeneration - movement disorders Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 13 Revision and practice spot test Tutorial (2 hr)  
Wrap-up and overview Lecture (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • ​Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study. The Dean or the Head of School most concerned may determine that a student has failed a unit of study because of inadequate attendance.
  • Practicals: Anatomy lab practical sessions are held in the Anderson Stuart Building laboratories - see appended building maps. Lab coat, student ID, gloves and covered shoes are required for entry to anatomy labs. Attendance is taken by ID card scanning. You will need your student card every week. Student cards must be worn on your lab coat at all times in the anatomy teaching laboratories.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W. & Paradiso, M.A. (2016) Neuroscience. Exploring the Brain. Wolters Kluwer. Philadelphia 4th edition. Previous editions are fine.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify the cellular components of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system in photomicrographs
  • LO2. identify major features of the brain and spinal cord in prosected specimens, models, diagrams, and photographs
  • LO3. describe the structural and functional relationships between major nervous system structures and apply this knowledge to basic clinical examples, and to examples of neuroanatomical research
  • LO4. describe the fundamental organisation of sensory and motor systems in humans, using in-depth examples of specific motor and sensory systems
  • LO5. describe the major phases and mechanisms of nervous system development
  • LO6. apply concepts of the structure/function relationship of major brain regions and cytoarchitecture to mechanisms of brain development and neurodegeneration
  • LO7. recognise the core techniques - histology, in vivo imaging, experimental tracing studies, and pathology - forming the basis of our understanding of brain function
  • LO8. apply fundamental knowledge gained in this unit to critical evaluation of the literature, public media, and emerging technologies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This subject is evaluated by students through the Unit of Study Survey (USS) every year. All feedback is considered. We’ll make time for the UoS survey to be completed in class in the final tutorial session. Some changes that have been made since the last offering of this unit include more online formative quizzes and in-class formative quizzes, more specific guidelines for the E-Poster assignment and earlier release of topics and guidelines. An additional workshop to discuss independent projects has been added for voluntary attendance.

Site visit guidelines

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Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.