Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BIOS2062: Neuroscience II: Communication Disorders

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study considers the development and anatomy of the brainstem and cranial nerves. The anatomy and physiology of special sensory systems and the control and integration of somatic motor activity with special reference to communication are explored comprehensively. Higher functions of the nervous system and adaptive properties including plasticity and recovery of the nervous system after injury are also examined. Considerable emphasis is placed on the anatomical and physiological basis of neurological problems relating to communication disorders throughout the unit of study. This unit of study includes laboratory classes where tissues from human cadavers are examined in detail; attendance at such classes is required for the unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BIOS2062
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BIOS1166
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Mor, david.mor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jin Huang, jin.huang@sydney.edu.au
Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au
David Mor, david.mor@sydney.edu.au
Kay Double, kay.double@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Online End-of-semester exam
Written exam
67% Please select a valid week from the list below 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Online Mid- semester exam
Written exam
33% Week 07
Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 08:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO10
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester examination: All content presented in the lectures, tutorials, and practical classes in weeks 1-5 and the vision practical in week 6 are examinable. Subjects include imaging, neurodevelopment, brainstem and cranial nerves, and vision.
  • End-semester examination: All material that was not covered in the mid-semester exam.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

  • Demonstrates an extensive knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context
  • Displays an outstanding ability to describe and explain concepts, including abstract ideas, clearly and accurately, and to apply the concepts to unfamiliar situations
  • Applies a high level of critical thinking skills in developing appropriate solutions to problems involving a long sequence of related tasks
  • Analyses, evaluates and extrapolates data effectively, identifies complex relationships, quantifies explanations and descriptions, and synthesizes information to draw conclusions
  • Communicates succinctly, logically and sequentially using a variety of scientific formats

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context
  • Effectively communicates a detailed understanding of concepts using appropriate terminology and scientific formats, and applies the concepts to unfamiliar situations
  • Analyses information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic forms and relates this to other relevant information
  • Displays competence in manipulating information to solve problems involving a number of steps

Credit

65 - 74

  • Demonstrates a sound knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context
  • Describes concepts and information clearly in written, graphical and diagrammatic forms, and applies these concepts in familiar situations
  • Demonstrates a broad ability to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations
  • Displays proficiency in selecting relevant data from information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic form

Pass

50 - 64

  • Demonstrates a basic knowledge and understanding of the concepts of the unit of study content and its broader context
  • Uses simple definitions, terms, diagrams and graphs to communicate understanding of concepts
  • Substitutes data from information given in written, tabular, graphical and diagrammatic form, and manipulates basic data

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Revision Practical (2 hr) LO10
1. Introduction to the course and neuroimaging; 2. Neurodevelopment 1; 3. Neurodevelopment 2 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 1. Neurodevelopment 3; 2. Neurodevelopment 4; 3. Brainstem and cranial nerves 1 Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Neurodevelopment Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO3
1. Brainstem and cranial nerves 2; 2. Brainstem and cranial nerves 3; 3. Brainstem and cranial nerves 4 Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 04 1. Brainstem and cranial nerves 5; 2. Brainstem and cranial nerves 6 Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 05 Brainstem and cranial nerves Practical (2 hr) LO4 LO5
1. Vision anatomy; 2. Vision physiology 1; 3. Vision physiology 2 Lecture (3 hr) LO6
Week 06 Vision Practical (2 hr) LO8 LO10
1. Introduction to motor systems - anatomy; 2. Motor phsiol 1; 3. Motor phsiol 2 Lecture (3 hr) LO8 LO10
Week 07 Motor physiol 3 Lecture (1 hr) LO8 LO10
Week 08 Motor physiol A Practical (2 hr) LO8 LO10
1. Basal nuclei 1; 2. Basal nuclei 2; 3. Basal nuclei 3 Lecture (3 hr) LO8 LO10
Week 09 Basal nuclei Practical (2 hr) LO8 LO10
1. Vascular and CSF 1; 2. Vascular and CSF 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO7
Week 10 Vascular and CSF (anatomy labs) Practical (2 hr) LO7
1. Cerebellum 1; 2. Cerebellum 2; 3. Cerebellum 3 Lecture (3 hr) LO8 LO10
Week 11 Cerebellum (anatomy labs) Practical (2 hr) LO8 LO10
1. Limbic system - emotions processing in the brain; 2. Learning and memory Lecture (2 hr) LO11
Week 12 1. Cortex ñ language related functions; 2. Neurogenic causes of aphasia; 3. Plasticity repair and regeneration 1 Lecture (3 hr) LO9 LO11
Week 13 Plasticity repair and regeneration/neurogenic causes of aphasia Practical (2 hr) LO9
1. Plasticity repair and regeneration 2; 2. Plasticity repair and regeneration 3 Lecture (2 hr) LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Practicals: Students must attend their own practical/tutorial at the time and place indicated. Requests for change of groups due to any reason will not be possible as there is only one practical session; Locations of Practical classes have building code, Level code and Room number. Practical classes and their associated tutorial sessions require that you prepare prior to the scheduled class. Bring your lecture notes and an atlas to each anatomy practical/tutorial class.

Attendance will be recorded from students' arrival date on campus or from March 31st, whichever is the earliest. From February 24 (week 1), students enrolled in this unit should engage with and study all online content, as directed in the Canvas site, including the submission of any required formative tasks and completion of any asynchronous activities.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • LaPointe L. Leonard. (2012). Atlas of Neuroanatomy for Communication Science and Disorders. Thieme
  • Crossman, A. R. & Neary, D. (2010). Neuroanatomy: An illustrated colour text. Churchill Livingstone.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Describe and understand some of the common medical imaging techniques. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of these imaging techniques
  • LO2. Describe the basic formation of the spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. Describe mechanisms and timing of major neurohistological developmental processes. Describe the development of the basic structures related to speech and hearing
  • LO3. Explain the basic developmental mechanisms associated with some malformations of the nervous system
  • LO4. Describe major structures and their functions in the brainstem.
  • LO5. Describe the functional components carried by each cranial nerve, the regions of peripheral innervation and the internal brainstem regions associated with the nerve fibers. Relate clinical symptoms observed in brainstem and cranial nerve lesions.
  • LO6. Identify and understand the structure of the visual system and how visual stimuli is processed by the central nervous system.
  • LO7. Describe the major blood supply and drainage structures to/and from the nervous system. understand the general pathophysiology behind major vascular disruptions.
  • LO8. Describe the major structures and functions of the motor system component including the motor cortex, motor pathways, basal nuclei and the cerebellum. Relate common clinical presentations to lesions or disorders in these components.
  • LO9. Describe major neuroplasticity mechanisms found following damage to either the central or the peripheral nervous systems.
  • LO10. understand basic neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system
  • LO11. Describe the neural circuits associated with higher order functions such as language, learning, memory and emotional regulation and associated symptoms in case of lesion to these circuits.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

More information related to this unit will be provided in class.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.