Outline

Overview

This subject covers general concepts in the organisation, structure and function of the mammalian nervous system. Students are introduced to the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. The course begins with an exploration of the cellular compostion of the brain. We’ll then consider the general organisation of regions of the mammalian nervous system followed by focus in greater depth on individual components of sensory and motor systems. We’ll then consider the development of the nervous system at cellular and gross organisational levels. Concepts of higher order functions such as memory and sensory perception are introduced, followed by examples of neurodegeneration. 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 that students are likely to encounter in further study and in real-world examples and readings. This course will be of 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	Department of Medical Sciences
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+)	Theory exam Theory exam 30%. MCQ and eMCQ	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam (Open book)	Practical exam Identifications on pictures and models, short function questions	30%	Formal exam period	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Q1 composition of the nervous system Identifications on images, function Qs. MCQ and eMCQ	5%	Week 04	1-1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Q2 organisation of the nervous system Identifications on images, function Qs. MCQ and eMCQ, matching	5%	Week 06	1-1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	In-class mid-semester quiz In-class anatomy lab quiz	10%	Week 08	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Q3 tracing connections Identifications on images, function Qs. MCQ, eMCQ, problem solving.	5%	Week 10	1-1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Scientific literature review of neuroanatomical topic Review of topic in neuroscientific literature -1200 words	15%	Week 12	1200-words. See Canvas for details.
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ? = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Online quizzes: Three short untimed online quizzes related to tutorial sessions and lecture material. 5% each. Spaced during the semester.

In-class mid-semester quiz held during semester. The quiz will assess your progress in understanding the lecture and tutorial material. Questions closely resemble questions in the final exams.

ANAT2910 Scientific literature review (1200-word) of core literature in a key area of neuroanatomical 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 tutorial notes.

Theory exam: This exam is sampled from each of the lectures. You will find the lecture notes and presentations provide the core material and help you gauge the level of detail you are required to embrace. 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day pro-rata past the deadline. No quiz can be accepted more than 6 days post-deadline

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

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

Tutorials: 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.

Students studying remotely are also expected to understand WHS requiremts in principle. Remote tutorials hare held by live streaming.

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

Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W. & Paradiso, M.A. (2020) Neuroscience. Exploring the Brain. Wolters Kluwer Philadelphia 4th edition. Previous editions are okay.

Also recommended

Vanderah, T. (2019). Nolte’s : The human brain in photographs and diagrams. Philadelphia, Elsevier/Saunders

Previous editions of these textbooks are acceptible. See your Canvas pages for other suitable e-books or texts.

Library resources – Neuroscience subject guides. Curated resource for e-books and online resources in the Neurosciences and other disciplines.

See your Canvas site for textbook readings for each lecture.

Articles and readings for your interest are linked to each lecture.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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 literature review assignment and earlier release of topics and guidelines. Additional workshops to discuss independent projects have been added.

Additional information

You must complete the Obligations Module before attending any online or face-to-face tutorials

We will keep you updated on lab attendence for students studying in-person and for remote streaming of tutorial sessions.

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

All students attending F2F session are required to comply with stirct WHS guidelines.

Students studying remotely are also expected to understand WHS requiremts.

ALL students enrolled will be required to understand these requirements in THEORY and complete an Obligations Module to proceed with the subject.

Important for this subject: understand and appreciate the special obligations required for working with and viewing human cadaveric material.

For attendance at anatomy tutorials, students must

1. Wear solid covered shoes

2. Closed lab coat – standard student lab coats or disposable gowns are acceptable

3. Two gloves at all times

4. Student IDs must be worn on your labcoat at all times in the lab

5. Hair must be tied back so that it does not obscure vision or dangle into specimens

6. Students must comply with all of the regulations required for working with human cadaveric material.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ANAT2910: Concepts in Neuroanatomy Adv

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect