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Unit of study_

NEUR3905: Neuroscience across the Lifespan (Advanced)

2025 unit information

This unit is designed to explore the intricate processes of brain development, neurodevelopmental disorders, pain mechanisms, and neurodegeneration across the human lifespan. In the first module, students will delve into the stages of brain development during embryogenesis, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that guide neural induction and patterning. It will also cover the genetic regulation of neurodevelopment, and examine the genetic and epigenetic bases of exemplar neurodevelopmental disorders. The second module will explore the biological significance of pain, from peripheral and central responses to trauma, through the transition from acute injury to chronic pain, and the mechanisms of pain modulation and analgesia. In the final module, the focus shifts to neurodegeneration, introducing the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, their clinical presentations, and underlying pathologies, plus emerging treatment options. Throughout the unit, practical classes will allow students to understand structural and gene expression changes that happen during neurodevelopment, identify gene variants responsible for disease, investigate experimental techniques to study pain neurobiology, and gain understanding of how neurodegenerative disease is diagnosed. By undertaking the advanced unit students will participate in weekly small group seminars under the guidance of a research-active academic. The seminars will take the form of a Journal Club, a style practiced widely in research laboratories around the world. The aim of the Journal Club is to develop critical thinking and detailed knowledge in a specific area of neuroscience research through group discussions. The Journal Club will also develop the skills required to lead a discussion in a small group setting. This unit will develop key attributes that are essential for science graduates as they move forward in their careers.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
Mark of 70 or more in (NEUR2001 or ANAT2010 or MEDS2005 or ANAT2910) and 72 credit points 1000 to 3000 level units
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
NEUR3001 or NEUR3901 or NEUR3002 or NEUR3902 or NEUR3005
Assumed knowledge:
? 
NEUR2001

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Describe and critique changes in the nervous system across the lifespan
  • LO2. Demonstrate high level competency in neuroscience communication
  • LO3. Compare and contrast multidisciplinary approaches in neuroscience
  • LO4. Apply knowledge of technological advances to novel problems in neuroscience
  • LO5. Investigate and critique the pathophysiology of central nervous system disorders
  • LO6. Analyse and evaluate the key processes which underly the current knowledge of CNS diseases and their prevention, diagnosis and therapy
  • LO7. Demonstrate and apply an advanced ability to critically evaluate current research in neuroscience
  • LO8. Critique and appraise current research dogmas in neuroscience
  • LO9. Reframe current preclinical research approaches and formulate new hypotheses

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.