MEDSCI 316 : Sensory Neuroscience: From Molecules to Disease
Medical and Health Sciences
2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course covers the physiology of neurosensory systems in health and disease with an emphasis on clinical relevance and current advances in research. It provides in-depth coverage of mechanisms involved in each system at a broad systemic level, down to the molecular level. Topics include vision, hearing, balance, olfaction, taste, touch, and pain. Students will gain theoretical knowledge, as well as practical, communication, and analytical skills through the laboratories.
It is expected that students enrolling in this course have an interest in physiology and neuroscience, as well as a sound understanding of topics covered in Medsci 206 (Principles of Neuroscience).
Medsci 316 is a prerequisite for the postgraduate course Medsci 739 (Advanced Sensory Neuroscience).
Course Contacts
Srdjan Vlajkovic (s.vlajkovic@auckland.ac.nz)
Nishani Lim (n.dayaratne@auckland.ac.nz)
Raj Selvaratnam (r.subramaniam@auckland.ac.nz)
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the major structures, and demonstrate in-depth understanding of the physiology of major sensory systems (vision, hearing, balance, smell, taste, touch and pain). (Capability 1 and 4)
- Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms and impact of sensory diseases, and discuss recent advances in scientific techniques used to investigate them. (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
- Develop and communicate scientific ideas clearly, logically, and concisely within the field of sensory neuroscience. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate practical skills and disciplinary knowledge necessary to participate as a responsible member of the scientific community, within the field of sensory neuroscience. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Independently investigate scientific hypotheses related to sensory neuroscience, by critically analysing data and researching appropriate scientific literature. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 30% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| Laboratory Assignments | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Laboratory Assignments | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect [34] hours of lectures, [24] hours of labs and tutorials, [22] hours of reading and thinking about the content and [40] hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
This course is only offered on campus.
Campus Experience:
- Attendance is required at scheduled laboratories/tutorials to complete these components of the course. Absence without prior approval (e.g. for a medical reason, supported with a medical certificate) will incur a zero grade for the related assessment.
- Technology permitting, lectures will be available as recordings up to 72 hours after the teaching session. These recordings are only intended as a supplementary resource (if needed), and not as a replacement for lecture attendance. Technical difficulties sometimes occur that may affect recording quality, or prevent/delay the release of recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
- Medsci 316 will not include live online teaching sessions.
- Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
- The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
"Neuroscience" 6th edition by D. Purves et al (2018)
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student feedback has indicated that laboratories are highly valued, and we will continue to prioritise and build on these experiences. Comments regarding both lectures and labs were largely positive and we aim to maintain these standards in the future.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.