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Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Unit aim

Provides a historical background and introduces students to key concepts in Neuroscience including neuroplasticity and neural signalling. Examines the structure and function of the somatosensory and motor systems, the autonomic nervous system, spinal cord and brainstem regions. Provides a neural basis for understanding the visual and vestibular systems, and higher mental functions including language, emotion and memory. Students use models, computer simulations and cadaver specimens as teaching aids.

Unit content

Topic 1 Introduction to Neuroscience
Topic 2 Neural signalling
Topic 3 The somatosensory system
Topic 4 The motor system
Topic 5 The peripheral nervous system
Topic 6 The autonomic nervous system
Topic 7 The cranial nerves
Topic 8 The spinal region
Topic 9 The brainstem region
Topic 10 The vestibular and visual systems
Topic 11 Cerebrum and higher functions
Topic 12 Central nervous system: blood supply and cerebrospinal fluid

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate an understanding of the structural organisation of the human nervous system from cellular to system level
2 demonstrate an understanding of selected functional components of the human nervous system
3 demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in damage and repair of the nervous system.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the structural organisation of the human nervous system from cellular to system level
    • GA4:
  2. demonstrate an understanding of selected functional components of the human nervous system
    • GA4:
  3. demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in damage and repair of the nervous system.
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Purves, D, Augustine, GJ, Fitzpatrick, D, Hall, WC, LaMantia, AS & White, LE, 2012, Neuroscience, 5th edn, Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts. ISBN: 978-0-87893-695-3.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.