Outline

Overview

Sensory input allows us to connect to the world and experience varied states of our own body. Understanding how senses work is important for basic science, esp. neuroscience and psychology, and applied areas such as health and engineering. This unit focuses on the sensory processes that underlie perception of one's own body and its actions. Sensory functioning in both healthy and disease states are considered, including the following topics: proprioception or sense of position and movement of body parts, vestibular system, touch, role of vision, brain plasticity, disorders of sensory processing (agnosias, neglect , phantom limbs, vertigo) and most recent experimental developments in rehabilitation and brain-computer interface. Tutorial assessment includes in-depth analysis of a topic of your choice and running your own experiments. NB: This unit does not teach about treatments taught in the core units of professional health science degrees.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, tatjana.seizova-cajic@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 22 August 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam xx SC team, note this exam is in Week 8 on 23/09 for the intensive version of this unit	30%	Formal exam period	80 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Lecture and tutorial participation Lecture and tutorial participation (Spec Con team note: Closing date for the intensive unit is 17/09, Week 7)	15%	Ongoing Closing date: 07 Nov 2025	Throughout	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	My perceptual investigation Written report exploring sensory function, disorder or application	25%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 Oct 2025	1200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group experimental project Design, conduct, analyze and report an experiment (NOTE: due date is 16/09, Week 7 for the intensive unit)	30%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Nov 2025	4-hr experiment; 15 min presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

My perceptual investigation (25%)

Description: Explore a sensory function, disorder, or application.
Topic selection: Choose from a recommended list of topics. Topic submission in the Week 3 tutorial is required, along with submission of three related papers of your choice. Note that this is topic submission only, while the assignment is due in Week 6.
Requirement: Use AI as a part of this assignment (you can opt out).

Group experimental project (30%)

Description: Design and conduct a simple experiment.
Presentation: Present your findings in class (15 minutes: 10 minutes for the presentation + 5 minutes for questions; time may be adjusted depending on number of groups).
Evaluation: Both your group work during the semester and your presentation will contribute to the final mark.
Submission: Presentation slides must be submitted on the day of the presentation.
Requirement: Use AI as a part of this assignment (you can opt out).

Participation (15%)

Components: Lecture and tutorial participation via discussion and quizzes (7.5% each)
Absences: Students with justified absences can do an online alternative, or will have the weight of their participation mark obtained in other classes scaled up to account for missed classes.
AI use allowed

Final exam (30%)

Description: The final exam will assess your understanding of key concepts taught in lectures and tutorials

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Shows mastery of concepts and sophistication in their application to novel situations
Distinction	75 - 84	Shows very good understanding of most concepts and ability to apply them to new situations
Credit	65 - 74	Shows good understanding of most concepts and limited ability to apply them to new situations
Pass	50 - 64	Shows basic understanding of important concepts and very limited ability to apply them
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

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	Introduction to perception (also: how to use AI)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Investigating perception: phenomenological report; psychophysics (also: how to use AI)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Our senses work together: Multisensory integration	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Demonstrations: role of knowledge, illusions, multisensory integration	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Our senses adapt to the world: Adaptation and aftereffects	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Demonstrations: postural aftereffects, prism adaptation, Whose hand illusion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Proprioception; bodily self-consciousness and related disorders	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Demonstrations: tactile motion, 2-point threshold, vibration illusions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Touch and related disorders	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Demonstrations: Virtual Reality; body ownership	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Pain	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Demonstrations: Virtual reality; body ownership (intensive unit: vestibular disorders)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Phantom limb pain	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Group project: research questions, experimental methods (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 2 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Vestibular system: functions; interactions with vision (delivered earlier for the intensive unit; see Canvas for details)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Group project: final research question, study design (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 3 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Revision (delivered earlier for the intensive unit; see Canvas for details)	Independent study (2 hr)
Week 09	Group project: demonstrate your method for data collection in class (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 4 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Vestibular disorders (delivered earlier for the intensive unit; see Canvas for details)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Group project: feedback on your plan for results processing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Neuroprosthetics (delivered earlier for the intensive unit; see Canvas for details)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Group project: Your data analysis and interpretation (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 5 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Artificial and augmented sensory systems (delivered earlier for the intensive unit; see Canvas for details)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Draft presentations; demonstrate your use of AI (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 6 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Presentations (marked) (NOTE: this tutorial is in Week 7 for the intensive unit)	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Monday lectures and workshops are delivered face-to-face. Most lectures require preparation, and some follow a flipped format. Please watch the pre-recorded content and come prepared to discuss and explore further using AI tools. Participation points apply to selected lectures, as indicated on Canvas. Most importantly, classes will be much more enjoyable and effective if you come ready for discussion. Please attend live lectures for a more enriching experience and deeper learning.

Tutorials are compulsory. Please be attentive and engage actively in your own way. Work with your group to prepare for tutorials dedicated to the group project.

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

The readings are given in 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. Understand basics of perception theory and how we empirically investigate senses
LO2. Understand how we perceive our own body, forces acting on us and our orientation and movement in space
LO3. Understand how knowledge about sensory processing is applied in technology and health
LO4. Developed the ability to design, conduct and interpret a simple perception experiment
LO5. Further improve written and oral scholarly communication

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.

The unit seems to be well tuned to student needs, and I made only minor updates in lecture topics for this year (2025). The biggest change in 2024 was introduction of AI, which I encouraged and modelled; this was well received. Details of student feedback can be seen below. 2024 Only one student filled the survey in 2024 (we hope there will be more this year); their response is copied below: o1 What have been the best aspects of this unit of study? · I thought Tanja was a great unit coordinator who was very fair. I thought the integration of AI into the unit was interesting. and that we learnt how to use it efficiently. I also thought the group project was a great way to make us appreciate the intricacies of research. o2 What aspects of this unit of study most need improvement? (no responses) 2023 - the unit didn't run 2022: Six out of 25 students provided feedback. They liked: - Practical demonstrations ('engaging' and 'memorable') - Freedom to choose topics for assessments - Interesting topics and the ability to experience phenomena discussed in lectures - Detailed feedback and support - Enjoyable tutorial experiments Areas for Improvement: - Some concerns (not specified) about the structure of group assignments.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

HSBH3025: Bodily Senses in Health and Disease

Semester 2a, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, 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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links