MEDSCI 317 : Integrative Neuroscience: From Fetus to Adult

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The development and function of the central nervous system in health and disease. Topics include development of the CNS, functional imaging of the human brain, synaptic function in health and disease, development and pathophysiology of motor systems, perinatal and adult brain ischemia, stroke, and sleep related disorders. The topics are covered at an advanced level with emphasis on current advances in the fields.

Course Overview

Topics include development of the CNS, synaptic function in health and disease, development and pathophysiology of motor systems, perinatal and adult brain ischemia, stroke, and sleep related disorders.
The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the development and function of the central nervous system. The course explores the anatomy and physiology of the developing brain and highlights the pathologies of various disorders associated with the central nervous system.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDSCI 206

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
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and locate principal structures of the human brain and spinal cord and relate specific structures to various brain functions. (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principal mechanisms of neuronal integration (structure and function of neurons, synaptic plasticity, and organization of simple neuronal networks). (Capability 1 and 4)
  3. Develop and communicate scientific ideas clearly, and discuss the mechanisms and symptoms of several major brain disorders in the human embryo and newborn babies. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 5)
  4. Demonstrate practical skills and disciplinary knowledge necessary to participate as a responsible member of the scientific community, within the field of integrative functions of the brain, including the organization of the brain plasticity and memory, sleep, respiration, EEG and brain control of immunity. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Independently investigate scientific hypotheses related to recent technological advances used to study brain structure and function, the techniques used to image individual neurons (confocal microscopy), non-invasive brain stimulation and electrophysiology, by critically analysing data and researching appropriate scientific literature. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Mid-semester test 10% Individual Test
Final exam 60% Individual Examination
Lab-based assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Mini Review 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Mid-semester test
Final exam
Lab-based assignments
Mini Review
Notes:
In order to pass Medsci 317, students must participate in all laboratories, and obtain an overall pass mark (≥15/30) in the lab-based assessments and mini review, in addition to achieving an overall pass mark for the course (50%). 
Extensions and late Submissions of assignments
Extensions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where evidence is provided (such as a medical/counselor certificate), and the request is made within a reasonable time-frame, prior to the assignment due date.  
Late submission of assignments without prior-approved extensions will be subject to an initial penalty of 10% of the available marks, with additional penalties of 10% every 24 hours. Assignments will not be accepted 7 days after the due date.
Absence
If you are forced to miss a laboratory through sickness, please provide a Doctor's Certificate for our files and contact your senior tutor as soon as possible for further instruction on how to proceed. You will not be able to submit an assessment without attending the related practical laboratory.  

Learning Resources

"Neuroscience" 6th Edition. Ed. D. Purves et al (2018).

Course Contacts

Course director (Justin Dean): j.dean@auckland.ac.nz
Course coordinator (Raj Subramaniam): r.subramaniam@auckland.ac.nz

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course, and students are expected to spend spend 120 hours in total during the semester.

For this course, you can expect 26 hours of lectures, a 12 hours of labs/workshops, and 82 hours of independent work.

Digital 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.

In addition to your course manual and recommended textbook, any additional resources/reading can be found in the Canvas course page. 

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.

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 at 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.

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.

Throughout the semester, student feedback is gathered by the class representatives and shared with teaching staff. 

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 21/07/2020 03:56 p.m.