HLTH SC 1001 - Essentials of Neuroscience

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course is designed to introduce students to essential concepts in the field of neuroscience. The course will begin with a basic introduction to the brain and history of neuroscience. Later modules will explore the cellular composition of the nervous system, the process of neuronal communication, basic gross neuroanatomy, the neural basis of sensation and perception and the relationship between the brain and human behaviour. Each module consists of a lecture series, revision session and weekly tutorial session. Tutorials include small group activities and worksheets designed to reinforce key course concepts. In addition, the course will feature 'research spotlight' sessions, which are designed to introduce students to neuroscience research currently being conducted at the University of Adelaide.

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Course Details

Course Code	HLTH SC 1001
Course	Essentials of Neuroscience
Coordinating Unit	Medical Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week (3 hours lecture), 1 hour weekly tutorial
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Assessment	Tutorial exercises, critical analysis of scientific literature; quizzes; mid-semester exam; end of semester exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Elysia Sokolenko

Co-Course coordinator
Associate Professor Renee Turner
renee.turner@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Describe the cellular composition of the nervous system and the process of communication between these cells.
2	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functional anatomy of the nervous system.
3	Explain the neural basis of sensation and perception.
4	Apply knowledge of the functional anatomy of the nervous system to the analysis of human behaviour.
5	Discuss the process of development and change in the nervous system.
6	Display insight into current research issues and the ability to critically evaluate articles drawn from the literature in the field of neuroscience.
7	Demonstrate an ability to work together with classmates during large tutorials in order to apply course knowledge to the completion of a variety of activities.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-7
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	4-7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	6, 7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	N/A
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1-7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Required Textbook: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 4th Ed. Bear, Connors and Paradiso, Wolters Kluwer.

Recommended Resources

Supplementary Textbooks:

1.     Neuroscience, 5th Ed. Purves, Sinauer & Associates.

2.     The Human Brain Coloring Book, 1st Ed. Diamond and Scheibel, Collins Reference.

3.     Lippincott’s Pocket Neuroanatomy. Gould, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

Neuroanatomy Web Links:

Allen Brain Atlas: http://www.brain-map.org/

Neuroanatomy Atlas
(Columbia): http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/neuroanatomy/neuroanat/

The Whole Brain Atlas
(Harvard Med): http://www.med.harvard.edu/aanlib/home.html

The Human Brain Atlas
(Michigan State): https://www.msu.edu/~brains/brains/human/index.html

Scalable Brain Atlas: http://scalablebrainatlas.incf.org/main/index.php?

HyperBrain quizzes (U of
Utah): http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/hyperbrain/quiz/

Neuroanatomy Quiz (U of
Minnesota): http://vanat.cvm.umn.edu/neuroQuiz/

e-Learning Neuroanatomy
(Universiteit Gent): http://www.neuroanatomy.ugent.be/

Neuroanatomy Resources
(Buffalo): http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/acb/neuro/linkscss.html

Online Learning

This course will use MyUni as a major component. All lecture notes, tutorial activities and lecture recordings will be posted on
MyUni. Announcements and weekly student update emails will be sent via the site. The quizzes at the end of each module will be administered online via MyUni. Finally, a MyUni discussion board to encourage communication with both instructors and other students will be established.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course is divided into six modules:
(1) Introduction to neuroscience
(2) Cellular Neuroscience
(3) Communication in the Nervous System
(4) Gross Neuroanatomy
(5) Sensation and Movement
(6) Brain and Behaviour

In addition, the course will feature special seminars on current neuroscience research going on at the University of Adelaide. We believe that this approach will strengthen students’ understanding of the content by challenging them to apply this knowledge to research material.

This will be further enhanced through the incorporation of weekly large group tutorials. Within these large group tutorials, students will work within smaller groups of 5-6 students to complete a variety of activities and worksheets designed to reinforce and expand upon course material.

Each module will close with an online quiz, designed both to test students’ understanding of the content and to reveal to them what information may need further revision. This assessment after each module will encourage students to keep up with the material throughout the course, rather than saving their revision for the mid-semester and final exams.

In addition, students will complete three "literature review" assignments, designed to test their ability to comprehend and critically evaluate articles drawn from the primary scientific literature.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Contact & Non-contact Hours (semester)

Type	Number of sessions	Duration of each session (hr)	Total hours
Lectures	25	1	25
Tutorials	10	1	10
Online quizzes	5	2	10
Literature review assisngment	3	2	6
Mid-semester exam	1	1	1
End-of-semester exam	1	2	2
Weekly reading, revision and other study	66	1	66
			120

Learning Activities Summary

1. Module 1: Introduction to Neuroscience: lecture series and tutorial (Tutorial 1)

2.    Module 2: Cellular Neuroscience: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorial 2); summative online quiz and critical analysis assignment at the end of the module.

3.    Module 3: Neuronal Communication: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorial 3 and 4); summative online quiz at the end of the module.

4.    Module 4: Gross Neuroanatomy: lecture series and tutorial (Tutorial 5); summative online quiz and critical analysis assignment at the end of the module.

5. Mid-semester examination: The mid-semester examination will consist of questions designed to test stufent understanding of Weeks 1-6 of the course material.

5.    Module 5: Sensation and Movement: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorials 6-8); summative online quiz at the end of the module.

6.    Module 6: Brain and Behaviour: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorials 9 and 10); summative online quiz and critical analysis assignment at the end of the module.

7.    End of semester exam: The end of semester exam will consist of questions designed to test student understanding of the course material from Weeks 7-12.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Assessment type	Weighting	Hurdle (Yes/No)	Learning course objective(s) being addressed
Tutorial groups exercises x 10	Summative	10%	No	1-7
Quizzes x 5	Summative	25%	No	1-5
"Critical Review of the Literature" assignment x 3	Summative	15%	No	6
Mid-semester exam	Summative	20%	No	1-5
End of semester exam	Summative	30%	No	1-5

Assessment Detail

Tutorial Exercises: Prior to attending each tutorial, students will complete a series of pre-tutorial questions that will form the basis of the
discussion for that week and serve as an introduction to that week’s tutorial exercise. Students will receive a mark based on the completion of these questions, as well as their participation in the tutorial session itself. Each of the 10 tutorials will be worth 1% of their total course mark, for a total of 10% of their final mark

Quizzes: Following completion of each module, students will take a multiple-choice quiz designed to test understanding of the content of
that module. Quizzes will be delivered online via MyUni. Student will receive a mark for each of the 5 quizzes, with each worth 5% of their total course mark, for a total of 25% of their final mark.

“Critical Analysis of the Literature” assignments: Students will be presented with a key paper from the neuroscience literature related to content from the corresponding module. Students will be asked to read the paper and to answer a series of questions designed to test their ability to understand and evaluate the literature. There will be three papers available throughout the semester, with each worth 5% of
their total course mark, for a total of 15% of their final mark.

Mid-semester exam: The mid-semester exam will be worth 20% of the final course mark and will cover content from Weeks 1-6 of the semester. It will be composed of a series of MCQ and short answer questions. It will be delivered online via MyUni.

End-of-semester exam: The final exam will be worth 30% of the final course mark and will cover content from Weeks 7-12 of the semester. It will be composed of a series of MCQ and short answer questions. It will be delivered either online via MyUni or at Wayville, depending on regulations.

Submission

Quizzes:

Quizzes will be completed in Canvas on line and must be completed within the set time limits.

More information on procedures and deadlines can be found here:

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator