Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of nervous system organisation and function. Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord is studied using models to understand the cortical and subcortical pathways as well as integrating centres that control movements and posture. The physiology component introduces students to mechanisms of signal generation and transmission, basic mechanisms of spinal reflexes, the function of the sensory systems and autonomic nervous system and motor pathways. Case studies aimed at identifying simple neural problems associated with sensory and motor systems are specifically designed for students following professional preparation degrees. This unit includes a few laboratory classes in which human cadavers are studied.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOS2171 or BIOS2103 or ANAT2X10
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jin Huang, jin.huang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	David Mor, david.mor@sydney.edu.au
	Jin Huang, jin.huang@sydney.edu.au
	Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final examination Multiple-choice questions	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	In-semester self-test Self-test	0%	Week 07	Variable
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised test ?	In-semester examination Multiple-choice questions	40%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Sep 2023 at 08:00	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Final self-test Self-test	0%	Week 13	Variable
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

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.

Grade	Descriptors	Explanation / Interpretation
High distinction (85-100)	Work of exceptional standard	Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level
Distinction (75-84)	Work of superior standard	Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level
Credit (65-74)	Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study	Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level
Pass (50-64)	Work of acceptable standard	Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level
Fail (<50)	Work not of acceptable standard	Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit

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:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date and quizzes and exams attended when they are scheduled. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. Failure to meet assessment deadlines will incur mark deductions of 5% of the maximum awardable mark available for every day past the due date (for electronic submissions, days late includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days, until the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. For example, on an assignment given a mark of 70/100, the penalty would be 5 marks if submitted up to 24 hours late, resulting in a final mark of 65/100. If the assignment is submitted 6 days late, the penalty would be 30 marks and the final mark would be 40/100. If the assignment is more than 10 days late, submitted after the solutions for the assignment are released, or marked assignments are returned to other students, the final mark will be 0/100.

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	Basic structure 1, 2, 3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Spinal cord; Brainstem	Lecture (2 hr)
	Membrane potential	Lecture (1 hr)
	Basic structure	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Action potential; Synapse	Lecture (2 hr)
	Cranial nerves	Lecture (1 hr)
	Spinal cord	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Cerebral hemispheres; Sensory pathways; Cortical structure	Lecture (3 hr)
	Brainstem, cranial nerves	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Basic function 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Somatosensation 1, 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Pain	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cerebral hemispheres	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Basic function 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Vision structure and function	Lecture (2 hr)
	Auditory/vestibular structure	Lecture (1 hr)
	Somatosensation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Auditory/vestibular function	Lecture (1 hr)
	Revision	Lecture (1 hr)
	Blood supply 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sensory pathways	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Basic function 3	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Blood supply 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pain	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Special senses: vision	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Stretch reflex; Multisynaptic reflexes; Motor unit	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Special senses: auditory and vestibular systems	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	Posture 1, 2; Corticospinal 1	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Reflexes	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	Corticospinal 2; Cerebellum 1, 2	Lecture (3 hr)
	Blood supply	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Motor control 1: spinal cord injury	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Cerebellum 3; Basal nuclei 1, 2	Lecture (3 hr)
	Cerebellum	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Motor control 2: stroke	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Basal nuclei 3; Autonomic structure and function	Lecture (3 hr)
	Basal nuclei	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Motor control 3: basal nuclei lesion	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures are not compulsory. Recordings will be avaialble as soon as possible. Please note technology does break down at times and it is your repsonsibility to keep up with the work.

Tutorial and practical classes are compulsory. Class attendance will be marked.

The University of Sydney Coursework Policy 2014 states:
55 (2) A student enrolled in a unit of study must comply with the requirements set out in the faculty resolutions, award course resolutions or unit of study outline about undertaking the unit of study, including on matters such as: (a) attendance at and participation in lectures, seminars and tutorials; and (b) participation in practical work.

The Faculty of Science resolutions states:
9(1). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.

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.

Crossman, A. R. & Neary, D. Neuroanatomy: An illustrated colour text, Churchill Livingstone.
Martini, F. H. Nath, J. L. & Bartholomew E. F. Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, Pearson.
Purves, D., Augustine, G. J., Fitzpatrick, D., Hall, W. C., LaMantia, A.-S., Mooney, R. D., Platt, M. L. & White, L. E. Neuroscience, Oxford University Press.

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 structure and describe the general functions of the components of the nervous system.
LO2. Know the components and understand the role of the spinal cord, brainstem and cranial nerves, and diencephalon.
LO3. Identify and understand the structure and role of the cerebral hemispheres and their development.
LO4. Describe and understand membrane potential, action potential and synaptic communication.
LO5. Understand the basic structural and functional organisation of the somatosensory system.
LO6. Describe the neural processes involved in pain and understand complications such as referred pain, neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia.
LO7. Identify the structure and understand the general functions of the visual, auditory and vestibular systems.
LO8. Understand and describe spinal reflexes, motor units, postural maintenance and the corticospinal system.
LO9. Know the basic structure and functional relationships of the cerebellum to other parts of the central nervous system.
LO10. Describe the basal nuclei, their role in motor control and common pathologies of these structures.
LO11. Identify the location and major branches of the blood supply to the central nervous system and describe major pathologies after loss in blood supply.
LO12. Describe the components of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and the general functions of each.

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.

Provide more support resources. Provide more quizzes. Using Google documents to collate Qs on the unit and content.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

For wet anatomy tutorials, laboratory coats, gloves and fully enclosed shoes are required.

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOS1171: Neuroscience

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect