Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CLNP5001: Basic Sciences in Clinical Neurophysiology

Semester 1, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides the core anatomical, physiological and technical knowledge required for the practice of clinical neurophysiology. In order to obtain and interpret information regarding the function of the neural systems, clinicians must be able to accurately record and quantify electrical signals from a myriad of neurological structures. This unit describes the methods by which these electrical signals are generated, recorded, processed and presented for interpretation. It also examines the neurological systems and processes responsible for signal generation, and introduces the role of clinical neurophysiology in diagnosis of systemic disease.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Clinical Neurophysiology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rachel Shparberg, rachel.shparberg@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Adam Hastings, adam.hastings@sydney.edu.au
Alison Szekely, alison.szekely@sydney.edu.au
Rachel Shparberg, rachel.shparberg@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final Exam
Online MCQ
40% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Graded Module Quizzes
MCQs
20% Multiple weeks Various Duration
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Peerwise
Peerwise
10% Multiple weeks 4 x Peerwise Cycles
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Video Assignment
Video Assignment
30% Multiple weeks 3 x 5 minutes videos
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Module quizzes: There will be 4 graded quizzes made up of a set number of questions and a set time limit. Only one attempt will be allowed. The quizzes are open for a set period.
  • Video assignments: You will be asked to prepare a short video (no fast-motion) in response to a multifaceted question.
  • PeerWise: Students are required to write multiple-choice questions as well as answer and critique their peers’ questions via the software program PeerWise.
  • Final exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. The exam will contain 50 multiple choice questions (single best answer).

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:

Please note, for this unit of study (CLNP5001) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date for 5 calendar days only. This is to ensure that timely feedback is provided to students. If the assessment is submitted more than 5 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 Module 1: Introduction and physiology of excitable cells Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 2: Electronics, equipment and safety Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 3: Basic neuroanatomy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 4: Sensory pathways Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 5: Motor pathways Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 5: Motor pathways Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 5: Motor pathways Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 5: Motor pathways Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 6: Brainstem, cranial nerves and special senses Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 6: Brainstem, cranial nerves and special senses Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 6: Brainstem, cranial nerves and special senses Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 6: Brainstem, cranial nerves and special senses Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Revision Individual study (10 hr)  

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.

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 the neurological systems and processes involved in signal generation
  • LO2. explain how neurological systems and processes general electrical signals
  • LO3. summarise the methods by which electronic signals are recorded, processed and presented for interpretation
  • LO4. relate this knowledge to the role of clinical neurophysiology in the diagnosis of systemic disease

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.

We have made the following changes to the unit of study following feedback from students who completed the unit in 2018: 1. Learning outcomes have been revised to be more clinically relevant with new case based content, particularly in electronics module. 2. Neuroanatomy content now offers choice: targeted at essential knowledge but supplementary lectures are also provided covering detailed background information. 3. PeerWise, where students collaborate in writing and reviewing each other’s multiple choice questions, has been introduced in assessment schedule. 4. Video assignments are replacing written assignments to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology in a clinical context.

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.