Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BMRI5004: Translational and Clinical Neuroscience

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal evening] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This unit of study introduces the principal disorders of mental health and current methods for diagnosing and understanding them. Disorders of development, mood, personality and cognitive decline will be introduced from the perspective of the clinical staging and in the context of other diagnostic criteria. The clinical staging model attempts to identify the risks of such disorders emerging and progressing in individuals when all biopsychosocial variables are considered. In this way, windows for therapeutic intervention that would prevent or delay progression from earlier to later stages of a disorder can be defined. The unit will also describe fundamental principles of clinicopathology and provides and overview of the latest technologies and techniques being utilised at the Brain and Mind Centre to identify early diagnostic biomarkers for disease.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BMRI5004
Academic unit Central Clinical School
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eryn Werry, eryn.werry@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Case study
Case study
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2020 at 12:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Search strategy and annotated bibliography
Search strategy and annotated bibliography for literature review
10% Week 05
Due date: 27 Mar 2020 at 12:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Literature review
Written task
30% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2020 at 12:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Groupwork and tutorial paper
Group participation and tutorial paper
30% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2020 at 12:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Literature Review

a) Search strategy & annotated bibliography

b) Literature review

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how either EEG or MRI techniques are applied to a specific diagnostic problem and provide a thorough appraisal of the research literature.

  • Groupwork and Presentation

a) Groupwork and production of tutorial paper

b) Presentation

Students will work in groups to evaluate and compare two commonly-used assessment tools and present in written and oral format. 

  • Case study

Students will pick one case study and write up a case report.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Students should refer to the Canvas site for actual due dates and times. Late assignments that have not been granted extensions and are of a standard to receive a pass or higher mark will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day (or part thereof) late including weekend days (e.g. if the assignment is worth 40 marks, the penalty is 2 marks per day late) until the mark reaches 50% of the maximum mark (e.g. 20 marks if the maximum is 40 marks). Assignments that are not of a pass standard will not have marks deducted and will fail regardless. Assignments submitted more than 10 days late without prior approval will not be accepted and will be given a zero (0) mark.

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. Advantages-disadvantages of DSM/ICD/Clinical staging model 2. Introduction to imaging, EEG and biomarkers - why do we need them? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 Structural neuroimaging and MRS – how these are used in clinic and research Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 04 Introduction to electrophysiological biomarkers (EEG) in clinic and research Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 05 Biomarkers of sleep Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 06 Molecular biomarkers in neuroscience Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 07 1. Introduction to PET Imaging 2. Cerebral PET in research and clinic Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 08 Developing, validating, using and evaluating clinical assessment tools Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Week 09 Brain and mind disorders emerging in childhood Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Brain and mind disorders emerging in youth Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Brain and mind disorders emerging in adulthood and ageing Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Tutorial presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 13 Introduction to therapeutic interventions Lecture (2 hr) LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Requirements for passing the unit of study: Students must submit a genuine attempt for every assessment and earn an average mark of at least 50% for the unit as a whole. If a student has attempted and failed an assessment they may be given the opportunity for resubmission typically within a week of receiving their mark. This resubmission may be the same or an alternative task to the original and the maximum mark obtainable for a resubmission is 50%. Academic honesty must be demonstrated in all forms of assessment. Similarity detection software (i.e. Turnitin) will be used for all submitted written work.
  • Referencing guide: Scholarly referencing is required for all assignments along with a complete reference list (bibliography) in  the same format. Some suggestions may include Harvard, APA, and Vancouver. You must use one specific style, and state what is in your reference list sub-heading e.g. “Reference List in Harvard Style”.

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.

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 and investigate the relevance and importance of different diagnostic models and criteria for the identification and management of a variety of brain and mind disorders
  • LO2. demonstrate a critical understanding of neuroimaging and electroencephalography techniques, and how these can be used to identify preclinical markers of brain and mind disorders.
  • LO3. identify a range of risk factors during a spectrum covering childhood, adolescence and old age that are associated with the manifestations of clinical symptoms of various brain and mind disorders
  • LO4. evaluate a case study by interpreting various assessment techniques to develop a differential diagnosis or formulation considering diagnostic models (including the clinical staging model) and understand the range of suitable interventions.
  • LO5. critically evaluate assessment tools used in research and clinical practice and present outcomes to an audience of peers

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.

Changes to assessments in response to student feedback.

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.