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Unit of study_

BIOS3166: Neuroscience of Hearing II

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit completes the study of the neurobiology of hearing. The student is introduced to the development and functioning of structures that are important for the production and perception of sound and is then introduced to the pathologies associated with these structures. the course will include discussions on the anatomical basis of neurological diseases associated with hearing and speech as well as recent research into understanding the mechanisms of these diseases. Case studies aimed at consolidating information delivered in the lectures combined with real-world scenarios explored through research publications are specifically designed for students undetaking professional preparation degrees. Practical class attendance for this unit is compulsory. Attendance at all presentations is also compulsory.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BIOS3166
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BIOS2166
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Damian Holsinger, damian.holsinger@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Online Final exam
MCQ
40% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
In-semester test Online In-semester exam 1
MCQ
15% Week 05 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
In-semester test Online In-semester exam 2
MCQ
25% Week 08 45 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Presentation
A presentation based on a chosen and approved topic.
15% Week 13 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Online task Weekly quizzes
MCQ
5% Weekly Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14

Assessment summary

In-semester exam 1: This exam will cover material presented in weeks 1-4.

In-semester exam 2: This exam will cover material presented in weeks 1-7.

Final exam: This exam will cover material presented in weeks 7-13.

Weekly quiz: There will be 10 weekly quizzes. Students will have unlimited attempts as each quiz but must obtain a mark above 90% for each quiz in order to receive 5%.

Presentation: Each student will choose a topic and once approved, will be required to present it to the class in week 13.

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 Neurodevelopment Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 1. Brainstem 2. Lip & Palate 3. Oral cavity & Tongue Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Neurodevelopment Tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 1. Cranial nerves 2. Larynx, lungs and ear Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 1. Brainstem and cranial nerves 2. Abnormal development and teratology Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 1. Introduction to Motor Systems Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Brainstem & Cranial nerves Tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Week 06 1. Motor Systems Anatomy & Physiology 2. Cerebellum Lecture (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Motor Systems - Case Studies Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Week 07 1. Cerebellum 2. Vascular & Cerebrospinal fluid 3. Basal nuclei Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Cerebellum - Case Studies Tutorial (2 hr) LO5
Week 08 Basal nuclei Lecture (1 hr) LO7
Week 09 1. Disorders of Basal Nuclei 2. Cerebellar Disorders 3. Cortex Related Language Functions Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8
Basal Nuclei - Case studies Tutorial (2 hr) LO7
Week 10 1. Limbic system - emotion processing in the brain 2. Neuro-otological syndromes Lecture (3 hr) LO9 LO10
Neuro-otological syndromes - Case studies Tutorial (2 hr) LO10
Week 11 1. Impact of hearing loss on learning and memory 2. Association between hearing loss and dementia 3. Common medical imaging techniques Lecture (3 hr) LO11 LO12 LO13
Week 12 1. Medical imaging techniques 2. Plasticity, Repair & Regeneration Lecture (3 hr) LO13 LO14
1. Dementia - Case studies 2. Imaging - Case studies Tutorial (2 hr) LO12 LO13
Week 13 1. Plasticity, Repair & Regeneration Lecture (1 hr) LO14

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at tutorial classes and presentations is compulsory.

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 embryological development of the CNS, face and palate, tongue, larynx, respiratory system and ear.
  • LO2. Describe the development of abnormalities of hearing that result from abnormal embryological development or from exposure to viral illness or drugs during pregnancy.
  • LO3. Develop a general understanding of the gross anatomical arrangement and function of the brainstem and cranial nerves.
  • LO4. Develop an understanding of the basic structural organization and function of the motor system.
  • LO5. Develop and understanding of the structure and function of the cerebellum.
  • LO6. Understand the vascular and ventricular anatomy of the nervous system.
  • LO7. Understand the contribution of the basal nuclei to movement and the effect of lesions to different nuclei.
  • LO8. Develop an understanding of cortical areas associated with various language functions.
  • LO9. Understand the function of major structures of the limbic system.
  • LO10. Develop an understanding of the etiology of hearing loss.
  • LO11. Understand how hearing loss can impact learning and memory.
  • LO12. Understand the relationship between hearing loss and dementia.
  • LO13. Develop an understanding of some of the common medical imaging techniques and be able to explain their use in diagnosing nervous system disorders.
  • LO14. Understand the major mechanisms associated with neural plasticity, repair and regeneration

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 to the development of this unit. We attempt to incorporate as many suggestions as possible that will improve this unit.

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.