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Unit of study_

BIOS2166: Neuroscience of Hearing

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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, basic mechanisms of reflexes and the function of the somatosensory system. Students will also be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of the brain stem and cranial nerves as well as the autonomic nervous system. The second half of the course will focus on hearing mechanisms and diseases associated with the ear, nose and throat. Case studies aimed at identifying simple neural problems associated with sensory and motor systems are specifically designed for students undertaking professional preparation degrees. Practical class attendance for this unit is compulsory.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BIOS2166
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Online Final exam
MCQ
45% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam In-semester test
MCQ and SAQ
35% Week 08
Due date: 12 Apr 2022 at 13:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Weekly quiz
MCQ
10% Weekly Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO4 LO2
Assignment Weekly Question Submission
SAQs
10% Weekly Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • In-semester exam: This exam will cover materials presented in weeks 1-6.
  • Final exam: This exam will cover materials presented in weeks 7-13.
  • Weekly quiz: There will be 10 weekly quizzes. Students will have unlimited attempts at each quiz but they must obtain above 90% for each quiz in order to obtain the 10%.
  • Weekly question submission: Students will be required to submit 5 MCQs weekly. Submission of suitable questions will result in the awarding a mark for a total of 10%.

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

Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level

Credit

65 - 74

Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit

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 1. Introduction to unit; 2. Structure of the nervous system Lecture (2 hr) LO1
1. Cerebral hemispheres and spinal cord anatomy; 2. Communication in NS Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Cerebral hemispheres and spinal cord anatomy Tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 1. Generation and propagation of action potentials; 2. Communication in the nervous system Lecture (2 hr) LO2
1. Communication in the NS (EPSPs, IPSPs); 2. Receptor mechanisms 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO2
1. Neurophysiology; 2. Case study Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 1. Receptor mechanisms 2; 2. The motor unit Lecture (2 hr) LO4
1. Reflex mechanisms 1; 2. Reflex mechanisms 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Reflexes Tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Week 04 1. Structure and function of muscle 1; 2. Structure and function of muscle 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Structure and function of muscle 3 Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Muscle Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 05 1. Brain stem and cranial nerves anatomy 1; 2. Brain stem and cranial nerves anatomy 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Brainstem and cranial nerves Tutorial (2 hr) LO5
Week 06 1. Neuroanatomy of CN VIII; 2. Diencephalon anatomy Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Autonomic nervous system anatomy and physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO6
1. Diencephalon; 2. ANS Tutorial (2 hr) LO6
Week 07 1. Somatosensory anatomy and physiology 1; 2. Somatosensory anatomy and physiology 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO7
1. Motor systems anatomy and physiology 1; 2. Motor systems anatomy and physiology 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO7
1. Somatosensory pathways; 2. Somatosensory physiology Tutorial (2 hr) LO7
Week 08 1. Applied ear anatomy; 2. External and middle ear function Lecture (2 hr) LO8
Week 09 1. The cochlear: structure and function 1; 2. The cochlear: structure and function 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO8
1. Structural organisation of the ascending auditory pathway; 2. Structural organisation of the descending auditory pathway Lecture (2 hr) LO9
Week 10 1. Information coding in the auditory brain (sound identification); 2. Information coding in the auditory brain (sound localisation) Lecture (2 hr) LO10
1. Auditory organisation; 2. Speech perception Lecture (2 hr) LO10
Week 11 1. Plasticity in the auditory pathway; 2. Ageing-related changes in the auditory system Lecture (2 hr) LO11
1. Inflammation and disease 1; 2. Inflammation and disease 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO11 LO12
Week 12 1. ENT 1: synthesis and disease processes; 2. ENT 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO11 LO12
1. ENT 3; 2. Review Lecture (2 hr) LO12
Kabuki syndrome Tutorial (2 hr) LO12
Week 13 Treacher Collins syndrome Tutorial (2 hr) LO12

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance is compulsory for practical and tutorial classes. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, head of school, or professor most concerned. The Dean, head of school, or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Failure to attend more than three (3) tutorial classes will result in an automatic Fail (FA) grade.

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.

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. 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

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.

Student feedback via the Unit of Study Survey (USS) is critical in the development in this Unit of Study. We attempt to incorporate as many suggestions as possible.

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.