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Unit of study_

BMRI5004: Translational and Clinical Neuroscience

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - 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 clinical staging and in the context of other diagnostic criteria. 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. Through biomarker identification and development, windows for therapeutic intervention that can prevent or delay progression from earlier to later stages of a disorder can be defined, and the effectiveness of early intervention strategies can be evaluated.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BMRI5004
Academic unit Brain and Mind Science
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 A4 - Case study
Case study
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Jun 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment A2A - Search strategy and annotated bibliography
Search strategy and annotated bibliography for literature review
10% Week 06
Due date: 27 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment A2B - Literature review
Written task
25% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Online task group assignment A3B - Group peer review
Evaluate your team members from your group presentation Assessment 3A.
5% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
A marking criteria will be provided.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Presentation group assignment A3A - Group Presentation
Group presentation and questions from markers and peers.
20% Week 13
Due date: 21 May 2024 at 12:00
5 minutes per student
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Tutorial quiz A1 - Weekly multiple choice quizzes
Weekly in-class multiple choice quizzes
10% Weekly 5 minutes/quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 - Weekly multiple choice quizzes

In the last 5 minutes of each week’s lecture from weeks 1 – 12 you will be given a multiple choice question. You will need to log on to Canvas and answer this question within the 5 minutes given. The quiz will be closed after the lecture.

Assessment 2

A2A) Search strategy & annotated bibliography

A2B) 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.

Assessment 3

A3A) Groupwork and Presentation

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

A3B) Group peer review

After completion of A3A - Group presentation, you will need to complete a Peer feedback to evaluate your team members' performance with the team evaluation rubric.

A4 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Advantages-disadvantages of DSM/ICD 2. Introduction to 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 weighted imaging & 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 Brain and mind disorders emerging in childhood Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 Developing, validating, using and evaluating clinical assessment tools Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Week 10 Brain and mind disorders emerging in youth Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Brain and mind disorders emerging in adulthood and ageing Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Introduction to therapeutic interventions Lecture (2 hr) LO4
Week 13 Student presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO3 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance. Students are expected to attend 75% of classes either on campus or via Zoom. 
  • Passing the course. Students must submit a genuine attempt for every assessment and earn an average mark of at least 50% for the unit as a whole.
  • Academic honesty. Academic honesty must be demonstrated in all forms of assessment. Similarity detection software (i.e. Turnitin) will be used for all submitted written work. 
  • Please refer to our Course Rules and Policies: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12062/pages/course-rules-and-policies?module_item_id=666352

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

Any readings for this unit can be accessed through the Modules, 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.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Unit of Study Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

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.