Useful links
Unit of study_
BIOS2166: Neuroscience of Hearing
2026 unit information
This unit of study focuses on the neuroscience of hearing. The aim is to provide an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the hearing mechanism beginning with the fundamental concepts of nervous system structure and function. Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord is studied using models. The physiological component of the unit will cover topics such as the generation of a nerve impulse and basic mechanisms of reflexes. Students will also be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of the brain stem and cranial nerves. The second half of the course will focus on the structure and function of the ear, neural pathways associated with hearing, mechanisms of hearing mechanisms and diseases associated with hearing. Case studies aimed at identifying simple neural problems associated with sensory and hearing systems are specifically designed for students undertaking professional preparation degrees. Practical class attendance for this unit is compulsory.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Department of Medical Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
BIOS1163 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand the basic functional anatomy of the nervous system
- LO2. Understand the electrochemical basis for the generation and conduction of nerve impulses and understand the role of synapses in the transmission of information in the nervous system
- LO3. Understand the concept and function of receptors as well as their inclusion as components of a reflex and recognize a reflex as components of a control system
- LO4. Understand the role of a neuromuscular junction in the transmission of signals from nerve to muscle, describe the structure and function of muscle cells and explain how they transmit signals to cause contraction
- LO5. Describe structures associated with the diencephalon and brain stem and identify the location and function of the twelve cranial nerves
- LO6. Understand the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system
- LO7. Describe the organization and function of somatosensory and motor pathways and understand how lesions affect function
- LO8. Describe the structure and function of the different components of the ear (including the external, middle and internal parts)
- LO9. Describe the structural organization of the ascending and descending auditory pathways
- LO10. Understand how information is coding in the auditory brain including the identification and localization of sound and speech perception
- LO11. Understand age-related changes that occur in the auditory system including plasticity in the auditory cortex
- LO12. Understand the effects of inflammation and disease associated with the auditory system
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2026
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.