ANAT SC 2110 - The Neuroscience of Human Behaviour and Cognition

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

The Neuroscience of Human Behaviour and Cognition will provide an introduction into the neurological mechanisms that produce human behaviour and how behaviour in turn modifies the structures and action of the brain. Students will explore constructs of behaviour from the social expression of behaviour to the dynamics of neural systems and circuits to the role of molecular cascades within individual neurons in driving behavioural processes. Behaviours covered within the course will range from basic drives such as hunger and sleep to complex concepts of cognitive function and consciousness. Lectures are supplemented with tutorials sessions. Tutorials include interactive small group activities designed to reinforce key course concepts and enhance student engagement. There will also be examination of key neuroanatomical regions that underlie key behaviours and cognitive functions within the tutorial. Students will also undertake a research project in order to enhance their development of scientific research skills: forming collaborations, presenting research findings and responding to critical questions.

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Course Details

Course Code	ANAT SC 2110
Course	The Neuroscience of Human Behaviour and Cognition
Coordinating Unit	Medical Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	4.5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	ANAT SC 1002
Assumed Knowledge	HLTH SC 1001; ANAT SC 2006
Assessment	Assessment for this course is composed of quizzes, module exams, a 'Neuroscience Fact or Fiction' group project and an end of semester exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Frances Corrigan

Course Co-ordinator
A/Prof Frances Corrigan: frances.corrigan@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 development of behaviour and its biological characteristics over the life span.
2	Understand the biological mechanisms that underlie cognition, learning and memory.
3	Describe the principles guiding sensory processing of vision, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
4	Apply knowledge of human anatomy to identify the brain regions involved in the regulation of behaviour and cognition.
5	Describe emotions, the brain mechanisms related to emotional states and the effects of dysregulation of these systems.
6	Understand the applications of behavioural neuroscience for understanding human health and disease.
7	Display insight into current research issues and an ability to critically evaluate primary literature in the field of neuroscience.
8	Develop skills necessary for a professional in the sciences including: working collaboratively, identifying research questions, conducting literature searches, writing research proposals, presenting research findings in oral form.

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.	1-6
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.	6-7
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.	8
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.	6-8
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 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	N/A
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	7,8
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.	8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Breedlove and Watson. Behavioural Neuroscience 8th edition, Sinauer Associates, Inc, 2017
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

3 x online lectures per week and 1 x in-person tutorial per week

Workload

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

Lectures: 36 x 1 hour = 36 hours
Tutorials: 13 x 1 hour = 13 hours
Examination: 1 x 2 hours = 2 hours
End-Of-Module Quizzes: 2 x 20 hours = 40 hours
Preparation for Tutorial Sessions: 2 hour per session = 24 hours
Major Assessment Task = 30 hours
General study = 36 hours
Exam preparation = 20 hours

TOTAL = 156 hours

Learning Activities Summary

Course materials are divided into 12 weekly modules:

Module 1: Biological Basis of Behaviour
Module 2: Neuroanatomy
Module 3: Development
Module 4: Perception 1
Module 5: Perception 2
Module 6: Drives
Module 7: Motor
Module 8: Emotion
Module 9: Cognitive Neuroscience 1: Memory
Module 10: Cognitive Neuroscience 2: Learning and Decision Making
Module 11: Behavioural Neurology
Module 12: Language

Detailed information on lecture and tutorial content can be found in the MyUni website for this course.

Specific Course Requirements

Please refer to the Course Information on MyUni

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	Task Type (Formative or Summative	Percentage of Total Assessment Weighting	Hurdle Requirement	Course Learning Outcome(s) being assessed
Quizzes (2)	Formative	0	No	1 - 5
Module Exams	Summative	30% (2 x 15%)	No	1 - 5
Group Project	Summative	20%	No	5 - 8
Tutorial Participation	Summative	10%	No	1 - 8
End of Semester Exam	Summative	40%	No	1 - 5

Assessment Related Requirements

Please refer to Assessment detail below

Assessment Detail

Quizzes (0%): 10 MCQs to test content from weeks 1-3, and 6-8 only. This assessment is formative and is designed to introduce students to the format of assessment used in this course, as well as provided an opportunity to revise prior to the module exams.

Module Exams (2 x 15%) (Weighting 30%): Two module exams will be held examining materials from weeks 1-5 and 6-10 respectively. Each module exam will be comprised of a series of MCQ and short answer questions.

Group project (Weighting: 20%, Incorporating 15% oral presentation and 5% peer mark): This assignment will examine students’ ability to work together with a group to identify the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning a certain behaviour. Students will examine the literature to provide evidence to describe the proposed neuroscience. All members of the group will receive the same mark for the oral presentation, with 5% allocated to a peer mark

Tutorial participation (Weighting: 10%): Students will be required to completed pre-tutorial questions and actively engage in tutorial sessions throughout the semester

End of semester exam (Weighting: 40%): A two hour exam composed of 60 MCQs and 40 short answer questions will be held at the end of semester and cover all content from Weeks 1-11.

Submission

Submission of the Major project is done via Turnitin in MyUni. All in-semester tests are also completed online via MyUni

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.
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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.

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