MEDSCI 727 : Advanced Neuroscience: Neurophysiology

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An advanced treatment of selected topics in neurophysiology and brain pathophysiology. Includes presentations and critical analysis by the students of the current scientific literature within the context of several major research themes that encompass models from molecular and cellular to systems level. Themes will be selected from the following areas: (1) motor control and motor disorders; (2) synapse physiology and pathophysiology; (3) advances in neural stem cell research; and (4) physiology and pathophysiology of CNS glia.

Course Overview

This course is taught by four teachers, each is an internationally recognised expert in the research area selected for presentations and discussions in the course: Prof. J. Lipski, A/Prof J. Montgomery, A/Prof J. Dean and Dr. S. O’Carroll. The first part (‘Module’) of the course focuses on pathophysiology and novel therapies of Parkinson’s disease. The second concentrates on advanced synapse physiology and synaptic dysfunction in several neurological diseases, including autism. The third part covers the physiology and pathophysiology of astrocytes. The final part focuses on spinal cord injuries and the role of extracellular matrix in such injuries as a target for repair.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDSCI 206, 317

Course Contacts

Course Director:           Prof. J. Lipski (j.lipski@auckland.ac.nz;  ext. 86737
Course co-ordinator:  Dr R. Selvaratnam (r.subramaniam@auckland.ac.nz;  ext. 86955)

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

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specific topics of neuroscience/neurophysiology covered in the course. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  2. Present and critically assess and discuss current scientific literature in the field. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate scientific knowledge/information. (Capability 1 and 4)
  4. Apply scientific logic in assessing methodologies and experimental design used in specific areas of brain research (Capability 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)
  5. Analyse and critically interpret published experimental data in selected areas of neuroscience/neurophysiology. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
3 written assignments (each 10%) 30% Individual Coursework
1 oral presentation 10% Individual Coursework
2 hr written exam (Degree paper) 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
3 written assignments (each 10%)
1 oral presentation
2 hr written exam (Degree paper)

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.

Each week  you can expect 3 hours of lectures/tutorials and oral student presentations followed by general discussion, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the general course content, and 4 hours of work on written assignments. 

In addition, you  are expected  to spend about 12 hours  in total over the 12 week teaching period preparing  your oral presentation  (PowerPoint) and   handouts of this presentation for other students participating in the course.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures, tutorials and seminars to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars and tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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.

The course has been consistently highly rated by the students. 
For example in 2019 SET assessment, the overall satisfaction with the quality of the course was rated 4.7 by the participating students, well above the mean for the FMHS (4.1).

Other Information

Course materials and other information about the the course will be made available in a learning  tool called Canvas. 

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.

Please note that lecture/tutorial/student oral presentations are not recorded  in this course.

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 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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 15/01/2021 10:03 a.m.