Outline

Overview

This unit of study considers the development and anatomy of the brainstem and cranial nerves. The anatomy and physiology of special sensory systems and the control and integration of somatic motor activity with special reference to communication are explored comprehensively. Higher functions of the nervous system and adaptive properties including plasticity and recovery of the nervous system after injury are also examined. Considerable emphasis is placed on the anatomical and physiological basis of neurological problems relating to communication disorders throughout the unit of study. This unit of study includes laboratory classes where tissues from human cadavers are examined in detail; attendance at such classes is required for the unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BIOS1166
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	David Mor, david.mor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au
	Kay Double, kay.double@sydney.edu.au
	Claire Goldsbury, claire.goldsbury@sydney.edu.au
	David Mor, david.mor@sydney.edu.au
	Jin Huang, jin.huang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Catherine Leamey, catherine.leamey@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Atomu Sawatari, atomu.sawatari@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	End-of-semester exam Written exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	E-poster presentation E-Poster and oral presentation	15%	Multiple weeks	poster of 750 words, talk of 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Weekly quizzes Weekly quizzes	10%	Multiple weeks	Available for 48 hours each week
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised test ?	Mid- semester exam Written exam	25%	Week 07 Due date: 08 Apr 2024 at 08:00	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Mid-semester examination: All content presented in the lectures, tutorials, and practical classes in weeks 1-5 and the vision practical in week 6 are examinable. Subjects include imaging, neurodevelopment, brainstem and cranial nerves, and vision.
End-semester examination: All material covered in the unit from the entire semeter.

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	Demonstrates an extensive knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context Displays an outstanding ability to describe and explain concepts, including abstract ideas, clearly and accurately, and to apply the concepts to unfamiliar situations Applies a high level of critical thinking skills in developing appropriate solutions to problems involving a long sequence of related tasks Analyses, evaluates and extrapolates data effectively, identifies complex relationships, quantifies explanations and descriptions, and synthesizes information to draw conclusions Communicates succinctly, logically and sequentially using a variety of scientific formats
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context Effectively communicates a detailed understanding of concepts using appropriate terminology and scientific formats, and applies the concepts to unfamiliar situations Analyses information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic forms and relates this to other relevant information Displays competence in manipulating information to solve problems involving a number of steps
Credit	65 - 74	Demonstrates a sound knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context Describes concepts and information clearly in written, graphical and diagrammatic forms, and applies these concepts in familiar situations Demonstrates a broad ability to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations Displays proficiency in selecting relevant data from information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic form
Pass	50 - 64	Demonstrates a basic knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context Uses simple definitions, terms, diagrams and graphs to communicate understanding of concepts Substitutes data from information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic form, and manipulates basic data
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:

Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Revision	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction to the course and neuroimaging; 2. Neurodevelopment 1; 3. Neurodevelopment 2	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Neurodevelopment 3; 2. Neurodevelopment 4; 3. Brainstem and cranial nerves 1	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Neurodevelopment	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	1. Brainstem and cranial nerves 2; 2. Brainstem and cranial nerves 3; 3. Brainstem and cranial nerves 4	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Brainstem anatomy	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	1. Brainstem and cranial nerves 5; 2. Brainstem and cranial nerves 6	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Brainstem and cranial nerves	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	1. Vision anatomy; 2. Vision physiology 1; 3. Vision physiology 2	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Vision	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	1. Introduction to motor systems - anatomy; 2. Motor phsiol 1; 3. Motor phsiol 2	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Motor physiol 3	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Motor physiol A	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	1. Basal nuclei 1; 2. Basal nuclei 2; 3. Basal nuclei 3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Basal nuclei	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	1. Vascular and CSF 1; 2. Vascular and CSF 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Vascular and CSF (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	1. Cerebellum 1; 2. Cerebellum 2; 3. Cerebellum 3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Cerebellum (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	1. Limbic system - emotions processing in the brain; 2. Learning and memory	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	1. Cortex ñ language related functions; 2. Neurogenic causes of aphasia; 3. Plasticity repair and regeneration 1	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Plasticity repair and regeneration/neurogenic causes of aphasia	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	1. Plasticity repair and regeneration 2; 2. Plasticity repair and regeneration 3	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Practicals: Students must attend their own practical/tutorial at the time and place indicated. Requests for a change of groups due to any reason will not be possible as there is only one practical session; Locations of Practical classes have building code, Level code and Room number. Practical classes and their associated tutorial sessions require you to prepare before the scheduled class. Bring your lecture notes and an atlas to each anatomy practical/tutorial class.

Attendance will be recorded during practical classes. From February 24 (week 1), students enrolled in this unit should engage with and study all online content, as directed in the Canvas site, including submitting any required formative tasks and completing any asynchronous activities.

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.

LaPointe L. Leonard. (2012). Atlas of Neuroanatomy for Communication Science and Disorders. Thieme
Crossman, A. R. & Neary, D. (2010). Neuroanatomy: An illustrated colour text. Churchill Livingstone.

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.

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

LO1. Describe and understand some of the common medical imaging techniques. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of these imaging techniques
LO2. Describe the basic formation of the spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. Describe mechanisms and timing of major neurohistological developmental processes. Describe the development of the basic structures related to speech and hearing
LO3. Explain the basic developmental mechanisms associated with some malformations of the nervous system
LO4. Describe major structures and their functions in the brainstem.
LO5. Describe the functional components carried by each cranial nerve, the regions of peripheral innervation and the internal brainstem regions associated with the nerve fibers. Relate clinical symptoms observed in brainstem and cranial nerve lesions.
LO6. Identify and understand the structure of the visual system and how visual stimuli is processed by the central nervous system.
LO7. Describe the major blood supply and drainage structures to/and from the nervous system. understand the general pathophysiology behind major vascular disruptions.
LO8. Describe the major structures and functions of the motor system component including the motor cortex, motor pathways, basal nuclei and the cerebellum. Relate common clinical presentations to lesions or disorders in these components.
LO9. Describe major neuroplasticity mechanisms found following damage to either the central or the peripheral nervous systems.
LO10. understand basic neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system
LO11. Describe the neural circuits associated with higher order functions such as language, learning, memory and emotional regulation and associated symptoms in case of lesion to these circuits.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources

Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.4		Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
2.5		Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources

Responding to student feedback

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

this year the brainstem practical class was split into two classes, the first class will be in the anatomy labs and will focus on the anatomy of the brainstem and cranial nerves and their normal function, and the second class will be a tutorial that will focus on brainstem and cranial lesions and case studies, poster assessment was slightly modified, students now need to submit the poster's references list and 3-5 conclusions a week before the poster itself is due. this was added since many students end up attempting to find articles and design the content of the poster at the last minute and ended up not having time to work on the visual design of the poster, which resulted in low marks. submitting the references/conclusion as a text canvas assignment a week before the final poster due date will allow students time to work on poster design. the additional initial submission is not marked separately but will lead to a penalty from the total poster mark if not submitted.

Additional information

More information related to this unit will be provided in class.

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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOS2062: Neuroscience II: Communication Disorders

Semester 1, 2024 [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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect