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Unit of study_

BMRI5012: Brain Ageing

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This unit of study provides an introduction to two important aspects of brain and mind ageing science, neurodegenerative disorders and opportunities for neuroplasticity and human flourishing. Students will learn about the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Psychogeriatrics and late-life depression will also be covered, and counterbalanced with new insights about what determines successful ageing and how we can use lifestyle interventions to keep people's brains and minds fit and well throughout late life. This unit will use case studies to reinforce learning, focusing on common neuropsychological assessment methods and research methods. Students will also be introduced to the social and ethical aspects of brain and mind ageing.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BMRI5012
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
Presentation Oresentations
Poster/oral presentation. See Canvas for description.
30% Formal exam period 10 minutes + discussion
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Extended response
Written essay
40% Week 07
Due date: 14 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Extended response
See Canvas for Assessment descriptions.
30% Week 10
Due date: 12 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1800 words or 2 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Extended response 40%: Students choose to focus on one of the following comparisons: Alzheimer’s disease versus frontotemporal dementia, or Parkinson's disease versus Dementia with Lewy Bodies to compare and contrast.

 

Master of Brain and Mind Sciences students only:

  • Healthy Brain Lifestyle Pamphlet 30%: Design a double-sided A4 pamphlet to distribute to retirement village club houses that informs residents about lifestyle changes they could make to increase the chance they will experience healthy brain ageing.
  • Poster Presentation and Discussion 30%: Students will record a presentation on an allocated topic and take part in group discussion.

 

Master of Medicine Psychiatry students only:

  • Case study analysis 30%: students will write a history, formulation and suggestions for further workup based on case notes and a brief neuropsychological assessment of a mock patient. 
  • Individual Presentation 30%: students will present on an allocated topic, as if they are presenting to fellow peers and senior doctors in a grand rounds style setting.

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:

Please refer to the Brain and Mind Centre Postgraduate Program Course Rules and Policies Canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12062/pages/course-rules-and-policies?module_item_id=666352

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 Mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 1. Dementia: the controversies (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. Introduction to clinical psychogeriatrics (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 04 Frontotemporal dementia Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 Vascular dementia Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 06 1. Prevention and lifestyle modifications for healthy brain ageing (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. Brain imaging across neurodegenerative diseases (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 1. Successful Ageing: What have we learnt from Aussie Centenarians? (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. Neuropsychological testing and Rating Scales (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 1. Cellular theories of ageing (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. General psychopharmacology in older adults (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Neurodegeneration and Stem Cell Models Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 Late-life depression/Mood disorders in older adults Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 Psychological interventions for Depression and Dementia Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 1. Elder abuse, capacity and neuroethics of dementia (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. Psychosis and personality disorders in older adults (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 1. Case discussion conference (Master of Brain and Mind Sciences); 2. Ethics, guardianship, testamentary capacity, informed consent (Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) and CME) Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance. Students are expected to attend 80% of classes either on campus or via Zoom. 
  • Passing the course. Students must earn an average mark of at least 50% for the unit as a whole by passing their assessments.
  • 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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, 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. analyse the contribution of environment and pathophysiology to various neurodegenerative disorders
  • LO2. compare assessment and imaging techniques used in differentiating diagnoses
  • LO3. explain how risk factors for brain and mind disorders are related to ageing, and psychiatric symptoms such as late life depression
  • LO4. describe some of the determinants of successful ageing
  • LO5. understand capacity in a medico legal sense and discuss issues associated with informed consent
  • LO6. critically evaluate strategies for healthy brain ageing

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.