Unit Outline

This unit provides an in-depth journey into neuroscience, with a particular focus on cellular and systems neuroscience: how neurons work together to create functional circuits. Learning material will cover the structure and function of the nervous system in the context of sensory processing, motor control, learning and memory and disease. Neuroscience builds on a basic familiarity with cell biology and provides the essential basis for understanding central nervous system disease.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Examine and defend various theories in neuroscience, covering topics such as sensory processing, motor generation and various diseases.
2	Appraise various experimental and analysis techniques used in neuroscience research.
3	Effectively communicate key concepts and ideas related to the nervous system and neuroscience research through written and oral means.
4	Critically evaluate neuroscience research findings, through your knowledge of neuroscience theory, experimental and analytical techniques.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CHP207
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	CHP311

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit has been thoroughly updated in 2023 with new content and new assessments.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Oral Presentation	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Test	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Design and Analysis Assignment	Week 10	30 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	End of Semester Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Oral Presentation

Task Description:

Brain Area Presentation: Students must make a 5-minute oral presentation on a brain area of their choosing, covering the functions of the brain area, and any adaptations in the neurons or circuits of that area that allow it to carry out its functions. The students must then answer questions about their brain area during a 5-minute question session.

Task Length:

Presentation (5 minutes) + questions (5 minutes)

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately describe the function of the brain area, and how its adaptations give rise to this function	LO1
2	Accurately report and critique the evidence that suggests the function of the brain area	LO4
3	Accurately answer questions	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Test

Task Description:

This assessment task involves a test. This test will comprise mainly multiple choice and short answer questions. This test will be taken in class, will be invigilated and will cover the first half of the unit’s content.

Task Length:

1 hour

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply physiological principles and critique neuroscience theories	LO1, LO3
2	Critique and defend experimental design and methodological choice	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Design and Analysis Assignment

Task Description:

In this task you will be provided some details of scientific studies and you will be required to infer the missing sections.

Task Length:

1500 words total

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Appropriately interpret neuroscience findings	LO4
2	Design appropriate neuroscience experiments to test hypothesis	LO2

Assessment Task 4: End of Semester Exam

Task Description:

This exam will consist of multichoice questions and short answer questions covering the entirety of the unit's content.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply physiological principles and critique neuroscience theories	LO1, LO3
2	Critique and defend experimental design and methodological choice	LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.