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Unit of study_
NEUR3005: Neuroscience across the Lifespan
2025 unit information
This unit is designed to explore the intricate processes of brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders, pain mechanisms, and neurodegeneration across the human lifespan. In the first module, students will delve into the stages of brain development during embryogenesis, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that guide neural induction and patterning. It will also cover the genetic regulation of neurodevelopment, and examine the genetic and epigenetic bases of exemplar neurodevelopmental disorders. The second module will explore the biological significance of pain, from peripheral and central responses to trauma, through the transition from acute injury to chronic pain, and the mechanisms of pain modulation and analgesia. In the final module, the focus shifts to neurodegeneration, introducing the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, their clinical presentations, and underlying pathologies, plus emerging treatment options. Throughout the unit, practical classes will allow students to understand structural and gene expression changes that happen during neurodevelopment, identify gene variants responsible for disease, investigate experimental techniques to study pain neurobiology, and gain understanding of how neurodegenerative disease is diagnosed. Students will develop scientific communication skills as they prepare and deliver a short lay summary of one of the topics in this unit. This unit will develop key attributes that are essential for science graduates as they move forward in their careers.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Department of Medical Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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NEUR2001 and 72 credit points 1000 to 3000 level units |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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NEUR3001 or NEUR3901 or NEUR3002 or NEUR3902 or NEUR3905 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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NEUR2001 |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. describe the anatomical structures that form the blood brain barrier, as well as the ventricles and cisterns
- LO2. understand and be able to describe the anatomical structures and pathways that underlie transmission of all special senses (the chemical senses, audition, vision, and the vestibular system), as well as somatosensory information to spinal cord and brain
- LO3. understand and be able to describe the anatomical structures and pathways that underlie autonomic and somatic motor systems
- LO4. understand and be able to describe the structure and function of anatomical structures which underlie motivated behaviours, emotions, sleep and memory
- LO5. outline the neural structures and systems that control sleep and vegetative states
- LO6. explain the processes that lead to brain development, brain aging and dementia
- LO7. interpret structural and functional information from various kinds of neural-imaging techniques and understand the possible applications of such technology
- LO8. identify and trace the major blood vessels, meninges, cisterns and ventricles of the human brain and spinal cord
- LO9. identify and trace the structures that form the sensory pathways of all the special senses (the chemical senses, audition, vision, and the vestibular system)
- LO10. identify and trace the cranial nerves, cranial nerve nuclei, thalamic nuclei and cortical regions which transmit and process the sensory modalities
- LO11. identify all primary sensory and motor areas, as well as major association areas
- LO12. identify and trace somatic and autonomic motor pathways which control conscious and unconscious motor output
- LO13. critique the science reported in published research papers
- LO14. re-frame primary neuroscience papers by producing, as a group, a short video-blog or news segment which is accessible to a non-expert audience. Reflect your efforts and contribution to the group.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
