Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Brain and Mind Science
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Eryn Werry, eryn.werry@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Assessment 3: Presentations Poster/oral presentation. See Canvas for description.	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 20 Nov 2025 at 12:00	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1: Extended response Written essay	40%	Week 07 Due date: 21 Sep 2025 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 2: Extended response See Canvas for Assessment descriptions.	30%	Week 10 Due date: 19 Oct 2025 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
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	Frontotemporal dementia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body 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 in the Master of Brain and Mind Sciences (and associated Grad Dip and Grad Cert) who enrolled in 2023 or later are required to attend 75% of classes for each of their BMRIXXXX subjects according to their specified enrolment mode (eg if you have chosen an on campus enrolment mode then 75% of classes have to be attended on campus). In the event where a lecturer can’t make it in to the BMC and delivery is via zoom only, attendance via zoom will count as your in person attendance that week.
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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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.

Additional information

Help and Resources - Brain and Mind Centre Postgraduate Program

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BMRI5012: Brain Ageing

Semester 2, 2025 [Online] - Mallett Street, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links