Outline

Overview

The Human Neurobiology unit will introduce you to the diverse and exciting study of neuroscience. You will build from a foundation of the structures and functions of the nervous system to the integration of the study of anatomy, pharmacology, psychology and genetics to enable a holistic understanding of the major issues in the neuroscience field. You will work with experts in the field to understand how the biology of single cells, groups of cells and whole systems work together and respond to the environment. Studying brain function will give insights into the biological basis of complex human processes such as learning, memory, and cognition.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	6 credit points from BIOL1XXX or MEDS1X01 or PSYC1002
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ANAT2010 or ANAT2910 or BIOS1171 or BMED2401 or BMED2402 or BMED2403 or BMED2405 or BMED2406 or BMED2801 or BMED2802 or BMED2803 or BMED2804 or BMED2805 or BMED2806 or BMED2807 or BMED2808
Assumed knowledge ?	First year equivalent human and cellular biology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Fran Evesson, frances.evesson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Claire Goldsbury, claire.goldsbury@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	NEUR2001 final exam Closed book pen and paper exam	32%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Quizzes after practical class attendance After class practical and theory quizzes spread throughout semester. Formative quizzes designed to revise content and help to consolidate learning.	0%	Multiple weeks	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Practical class workbook submissions Submission of activity workbooks after weekly practicals. 8/11 required submissions.	8%	Multiple weeks	Variable	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback task - quiz on content from week 1 and week 2 This Early Feedback Task aims to test your knowledge and level of engagement in this unit so we can provide feedback. Quizzes in this unit are open-book, unlike the exams which are closed-book.	0%	Week 02 Due date: 08 Mar 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	In-semester test Closed book pen and paper exam	20%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 12:00	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Evaluate research, create and present infographic on topic Engage in and attend seminar, then create poster infographic.This is the poster that will be presented with Q&A in week 13.	10%	Week 11 Due date: 17 May 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	In-class practical exam In-class practical test, held during practical sessions	15%	Week 12 Due date: 22 May 2026 at 15:00	30 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Research poster interactive oral assessment Viva style question and answer discussion on poster infographic. Will be held during your week 13 tutorial slot which will depend on your choice of research seminar.	15%	Week 13	15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Weekly quizzes (weeks 3-9, 11 & 13), unweighted. Open book. Short Canvas quizzes related to practical classes and lecture material. Additionally a Week 2 quiz is provided as an early feedback task. Spaced during the semester with staggered deadlines. These quizzes are open book, but you are encouraged to test your understanding and train for the in-semester and final exam by preparing for them and using them to test yourself on your progress.

We expect attendance at at least 80% of all practical classes. This is because: 1) A key required learning outcome of this subject is to develop authentic practical skills in neuroscience (LO#6) and 2) Students who do not attend practical classes in person, experience a lot of difficulty in the assessments for this subject.

Week 7 in-semester test, 20%. Closed book. Timed and secured pen and paper exam. This exam will assess your understanding the lecture and practical class material under exam conditions. The types of questions will be short answer, multichoice, extended multi-choice. Identification of CNS structures and short factual questions on core functions and connections will be required. The material to be tested is covered in the practical class notes and lecture material. Students are expected to follow all Canvas announcements for information.

Infographic on topic in neuroscience, 10% & poster infographic Q&A, 15%. Scientific infographic on a topic in clinical, anatomical or experimental research <500 word plus graphics. Requires distillation & communication of key research findings from 1-2 core primary research papers (NOT review articles) in the scientific literature. A focus on a specific research experiment in the paper/s is required to demonstrate analysis and critical understanding. Requires attendance & engagement in Week 10 Seminar on the specific topic. Requires a viva style Q & A in Week 13, where you answer questions and discuss the poster with your seminar leader. The topic selection (and research paper list) opens by Week 2 and closes Week 4. Supporting information will be available via recorded lecture in Week 6 and in-person seminar in Week 10, allowing several weeks for preparation and development of this assessment.

Practical class workbook submissions, 8%. Submission of a pen and paper or Canvas activity after weekly practicals (due in class). Each submission will be worth 1% for a maximum score of 8%, from 11 practicals. Submissions will be used to record practical attendance and consolidate practical content. No special consideration applications will be available for practical submissions because there are 11 opportunities to submit a workbook. If students expect to miss more than 3 opportunities, they must contact the course coordinator immediately as this would represent a failure to meet the 80% attendance requirement and LO#6. There are no replacement practical class activities or associated replacement workbook submission tasks.

Practical exam, 15%. Closed book, held in the anatomy labs. The material to be tested is covered in the practical classes, practical notes and lecture material where appropriate.

Final exam, 32%. Closed book. This exam is sampled from the lectures and practical classes. Weeks 1 to 13 lecture and practical content is examinable. You will find the lecture notes, lectures, practical class work and notes provide the core material and help you gauge the level of detail you are required to embrace. Structure, function and pharmacological mechanisms are central concepts in this examination. The types of questions – multichoice, extended multi-choice, short answer. Students are expected to follow all Canvas announcements for information.

Detailed information for all assessments can be found on Canvas. Please follow Canvas announcements from the coordinators for all updates.

Assessment criteria

In-semester and final exam will be closed book tests containing a mix of MCQ, extended MCQ, structure identification questions and short answer questions.

Guidelines and the rubric for the infographic presentation assessment grading will be provided on Canvas.

Information about practical workbooks will be provided on Canvas and during practicals.

The weekly quizzes are open book and multiple attempts are allowed.

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:

For the infographic presentation, attendance at the Week 10 seminar and Week 13 presentation is compulsory. The infographic must be submitted to Canvas before the Week 13 presentation. Due to limited availability of seminar leaders, replacement infographic presentations may require the student to engage in a new topic seminar and generate a new infographic.

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	Course overview and Composition of the nervous system: neurons	Lecture (1 hr)
	Composition of the nervous system: glia	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cellular composition of the nervous system	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Organisation of the nervous system: CNS 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Organisation of the nervous system: CNS 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Organisation of the major structures of the CNS (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Organisation and function of the CNS and PNS	Lecture (1 hr)
	Development of the CNS & PNS and relation to adult brain structures.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Organisation of neural pathways: structural integration of the CNS and PNS (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Electrical impulse, synaptic transmission: structure and physiology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neurotransmitter systems in the CNS and PNS	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neuropharmacology	Practical (2 hr)
	Neurophysiology	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Organisation of the nervous system: Structure and function of the PNS & Cranial nerves	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sensory systems	Lecture (1 hr)
	Anatomy and physiology of cranial nerves	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Auditory system organization and CNS integration	Lecture (1 hr)
	Visual system organization and CNS integration	Lecture (1 hr)
	Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the visual and auditory systems	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Tactile system and CNS Integration - this lecture will be a recording only	Lecture (1 hr)
	Motor systems introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Somatosensory system and reflexes	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	Motor systems lecture 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Motor systems lecture 3	Lecture (1 hr)
	Anatomy and physiology of motor systems (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
	Motor Systems Tutorial	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Structural and Functional organisation of the autonomic nervous system	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pharmacology of the ANS	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pharmacology of the ANS	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	How to communicate scientific information. Expectations of individual elective topic assessment interactive session	Lecture (1 hr)
	Revision, consolidation and feedback	Lecture (1 hr)
	Elective topic in neuroscience research	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Optional: Revision and feedback drop in sessions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Emotion and motivation 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Emotion and motivation 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cerebral cortex, diencephalon and limbic system structures (anatomy labs)	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Drugs and the CNS - Alcohol	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Drugs and the CNS - Drugs of recreation and addiction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Learning and memory	Lecture (1 hr)
	Semester wrap up and overview. Final exam revision	Lecture (1 hr)
	Pharmacology - CNS drugs	Practical (3 hr)
	Elective topic individual presentation	Tutorial (0.3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This unit consists of 2 x 1 hr lectures per week and one practical class per week, except for Week 4 which has two practical classes, Week 8 which has a practical and a tutorial, Week 10 which has a 2 hr elective topic seminar instead of a practical and Week 12 which has a practical exam instead of a practical class.

Attendance is compulsory for the 2 hr Week 10 Seminar and the Week 13 assessment relating to this activity.

Attendance in at least 80% of the weekly practical classes and submission of 8 out of 11 practical class workbooks is also compulsory.

The above attendance requirements are there because: 1) a key learning outcome of this subject is to develop authentic practical skills in neuroscience (LO#6) and 2) students who do not attend often have great difficulty with the major assessments.

Before attending any practical class, students absolutely must complete the Obligations Module and score 100% in the accompanying quiz. The aim of this module is to ensure that you are aware of the procedures for this subject including expectations, governance, legislated and ethical requirements for working in human anatomy laboratories.

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.

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. Identify the cellular and major structural features of the adult human nervous system and describe their organisation.
LO2. Describe the basic stages, mechanisms and genetics of nervous system development as they relate to the major structures of the adult human nervous system.
LO3. Explain the structures and functions of neurons including the process of synaptic transmission, the major neurotransmitter systems and where they are located in the CNS.
LO4. Adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis and identification of the structural and functional basis of mechanisms of sensory, motor and cognitive integration.
LO5. Apply fundamental principles of neuroscience to a critical evaluation of the scientific literature, public media, or emerging technologies, including consideration of the credibility of information sources and information for reliability and relevance.
LO6. Develop authentic practical skills in neuroscience using laboratory and digital technologies, including a deep appraisal of the ethical guidelines governing these diverse contexts.

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.

In line with student comments and teaching feedback, the assessment structure has been adapted to spread assessments more evenly over semester, provide an earlier, secure in-semester test, reduce the weighting of the final exam, and include a practical test to hone skills taught in the practicals. Practical classes were recognised as being a strength of the unit, to promote an even better learning environment, worksheets will be introduced for students to complete during their allocated practicals. Submission of these will now form part of an assessment enabling tracking of progress and forming useful revision materials. An extra lecture and an extra tutorial in week 8 on motor systems has been introduced. An additional drop in session in week 10 has been introduced to allow revision and mid-semester feedback.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students must adhere to WHS requirements for working in anatomy laboratories. These are outlined in the compulsory Obligations Module provided for this subject. Students are not allowed to attend practical classes unless they successfully complete the Obligations Module and quiz.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Early feedback task

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

NEUR2001: Human Neurobiology

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links