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Unit of study_

BIOS5091: Clinically Based Neuroscience

2022 unit information

This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of nervous system organisation and function. Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord is studied using models to understand cortical and subcortical pathways as well as integrating centres that control movements and posture. The physiology component will introduce students to mechanisms underlying signal generation and neural transmission, mechanisms of spinal reflexes, the function of the somatosensory and autonomic nervous system and motor pathways. Tutorials will consist of case studies aimed at identifying simple neural problems associated with sensory and motor systems and are specifically designed for students following professional preparation degrees. This unit includes a few laboratory classes in which human cadavers are studied.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

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

  • LO1. Identify the structure and describe the general functions of the components of the nervous system.
  • LO2. Know the components and understand the role of the spinal cord, brainstem and cranial nerves, and diencephalon.
  • LO3. Identify and understand the structure and role of the cerebral hemispheres and their development.
  • LO4. Describe and understand membrane potential, action potential and synaptic communication.
  • LO5. Understand the basic structural and functional organisation of the somatosensory system.
  • LO6. Describe the neural processes involved in pain and understand complications such as referred pain, neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia.
  • LO7. Identify the structure and understand the general functions of the visual, auditory and vestibular systems.
  • LO8. Understand and describe spinal reflexes, motor units, postural maintenance and the corticospinal system.
  • LO9. Know the basic structure and functional relationships of the cerebellum to other parts of the central nervous system.
  • LO10. Describe the basal nuclei, their role in motor control and common pathologies of these structures.
  • LO11. Identify the location and major branches of the blood supply to the central nervous system and describe major pathologies after loss in blood supply.
  • LO12. Describe the components of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) and the general functions of each.
  • LO13. Identify the cause/s and describe the mechanism/s, pathology and treatments of a particular disease (a choice of your assignment topic).

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.

There are no availabilities for this year.
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote

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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.