PHYSIOL 3120 - Neuromotor Control of Human Movement
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSIOL 3120 Course Neuromotor Control of Human Movement Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites PHYSIOL 2510 Assessment Laboratory quizzes and reports, lecture quizzes, mid-Semester and end-of-Semester exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor John Semmler
Course Coordinator: A/Prof John Semmler
Phone: +61 8 8313 7192
Email: john.semmler@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Room S418, Medical School South
Dr George Opie
Phone: +61 8 8313 4157
Email: george.opie@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Room S425, Medical School SouthCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Describe the structure and function of the sensory and motor systems, and to understand the generation and control of human movement. 2 Understand the major somatosensory receptors for position and movement, the information they convey, and the major pathways that convey this information to the central nervous system. 3 Describe the major structural characteristics and functional roles of the motor cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia and the brain stem in movement control. 4 Describe the neural organisation of locomotion, including central pattern generators, brainstem areas and spinal cord organisation. 5 Describe the major changes in the neural control of movement that occur throughout the lifespan, and how these change with training and fatigue. 6 Understand the neural factors that contribute to neuromotor adaptation with increase and decreased muscle use. 7 Understand the role of neuroplasticity in improvements in motor function and how it may be used in the rehabilitation of motor function after injury. 8 Describe the motor deficits that accompany common disorders of the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and motor cortex. 9 Demonstrate an ability to use neurophysiological procedures for assessing and quantifying human movement. 10 Understand the scientific method and the critical review of the research process as it applies to the neural control of human movement. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-10 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
9-10 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
8-10 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
In Neuromotor Control of Human Movement, there are no required textbooks. The material covered is largely derived from reviews and original articles in the scientific literature.Recommended Resources
E books (available via university library website)
Mark Latash and Francis Lestienne (eds) Motor Control and Learning, Springer, 2006
Textbooks
Eric Kandel, James Schwartz, Thomas Jessell: Principles of Neural Science (Fourth Edition) McGraw Hill, 2000.
Mark Latash, Neurophysiological Basis of Movement (2nd Edition), Human Kinetics, 2008.
Philip F. Gardiner: Neuromuscular Aspects of Physical Activity, Human Kinetics, 2001.
Philip F. Gardiner: Advanced Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology, Human Kinetics, 2011.
Roger M. Enoka: Neuromechanics of Human Movement (Fourth Edition), Human Kinetics, 2008.
Journals (available online for University students)
Journal of Applied Physiology
Journal of Neurophysiology
Motor Control
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Journal of Physiology
Human Movement Science
Experimental Brain Research
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
Brain Stimulation
Journal of Motor Behavior
Muscle and NerveOnline Learning
Textual and audiovisual material will be provided online regularly through MyUni to assist with learning of topics covered in lectures as well as assessment preparation. In addition, all lectures will be delivered entirely online, and will be supplemented by face-to-face lecture topic discussions (workshops). As such, students are reminded to view MyUni often throughout the semester as it is assumed that information that is posted there will be read by all students. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course will be delivered via online lectures, workshops, and practicals, which will be supplemented by electronic learning materials in the MyUni environment. Practical sessions will provide the opportunity for students to gain hands on experience with advanced skills in neurophysiological techniques used in understanding the control of human movement. Workshops will be held to extend the learning of the lecture material using an interactive and small group discovery approach. The students understanding of the material will be assessed using written assessments and quizzes.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A full-time student should expect to spend, on average, a total of 48 hours per week on their studies. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g. lectures, tutorials, practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g. reading and revision). Neuromotor Control of Human Movement is a 3 unit course. As such, the expected workload will on average be 12 hours per week, including up to 4 contact hours per week.Learning Activities Summary
Students will cover the following topics in a series of formal lectures, practicals and tutorials.
Week Theme Theoretical Component Practical/Tutorial (2 hrs) 1 2 1 Assessing Neuromotor Function Action Potentials and EMG Motor Units None 2 Synapses Assessing Brain Function Laboratory 1: EMG 3 Reflexes I Reflexes II Case Study 1 4 Paper A None 5 Neuromotor Structures & Disorders Organisation of Movement Motor Cortical Areas 6 Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum Somatosensory System Laboratory 2: Reflexes and Reaction Times 7 Proprioception Locomotion Case Study 2 8 Paper B None 9 Neuromotor Behaviour & Adaptation Cortical Plasticity Plasticity and Rehabilitation Case Study 3 10 Ageing Fatigue Laboratory 3: Sensory Illusions 11 Strength Training Reduced Use Case Study 4 12 Muscle Damage Endurance Training Laboratory 4: Electroencephalography Specific Course Requirements
There are no specific requirements for this course. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Details of each assessment task are shown below. In brief, the course contains 2 written exams covering lecture material, and a number of summative assignments in tutorials and lectures. Dates and explicit details for each assessment task will be given in advance via MyUni.
Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed Written exams Summative 60% 1-3 Pre-Laboratory Quiz Summative 10% 9 Laboratory Reports Summative 10% 9 Lecture Quizzes Summative 10% 1-10 Workshop Participation Summative 10% 9-10 Assessment Related Requirements
Marks for the different components of the course are assigned in the following proportions.
Written Exams (60% of total mark)
Paper A 30%
Paper B 30%
Practical Components - (20% of total mark)
Pre-Laboratory Quiz 10%
Laboratory Activities 10%
Lecture/Workshop Components - (20% of total mark)
Lecture Quizzes 10%
Workshop Participation 10%
Assessment Detail
Note that the final marks for Neuromotor Control of Human Movement may be moderated under some circumstances. Moderation is only ever used to improve a mark or grade, not to decrease it.
THEORY EXAMS
Exams are designed to assess learning over Weeks 2-6 (Paper A) and Weeks 8-12 (Paper B). Students must sit each exam and achieve a combined grade of 50% or higher to be eligible to pass the course overall. These exams will assess understanding of principles and problem solving (both written and computational) capabilities. Questions will be based around lecture and practical material delivered throughout the semester.
PRE-LABORATORY QUIZ
Students will complete a laboratory quiz that will be administered online and be due before each laboratory. The questions will cover the background reading in preparation for the laboratory.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
Students will be required to submit a laboratory report at the end of the laboratory session that includes details of data collection, analysis and interpretation.
LECTURE QUIZZES
Students will receive a quiz on the pre-released online lecture material during each in-class lectorial session.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION
Students will receive participation marks for their contribution to the workshop activities.
Hurdle Requirements and Course Criteria
To successfully pass the course students must achieve all of the following criteria:
- Achieving a final combined mark for theory papers A and B of 50% or higher.
- Complete all practical assignments to a passable standard
Any student not meeting these barrier requirements will not be eligible to pass the course, regardless of performance in other components.
Submission
Submission of work for assessment
Staff will clearly indicate the deadline (date and time) for coursework submission in the course information contained within MyUni. In addition, assessment deadlines will be announced via MyUni at least 7 days prior to the submission deadline. Unless otherwise indicated, coursework should be submitted electronically via MyUni. Any students experiencing technical difficulties should contact the course coordinator at the earliest opportunity. Coursework submitted to any location other than those specified will not be accepted. This includes submissions to personal staff email addresses.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Any potential difficulties in meeting assessment deadlines should be discussed in good time with the course coordinator. Please note that attendance at all practical sessions is expected. Occasional absences for medical, compassionate, or other reasons are OK, but these need to be justified with appropriate documentation. Anticipated absences should be cleared with the course co-ordinator.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
Application for Assessment Extension
Students who miss an in-semester test (Paper A or B) due to medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances and would like to apply for a replacement test you are required to complete the . This is in accordance with the
All students must complete Sections 1 & 5 of the Application for Assessment Extension Form.
- Medical circumstance - Ask health professional to complete Section 2
- Compassionate circumstance - Student completes Section 3 and attaches evidence (declaration to be completed if required as per table within Section 3 of the form)
- Extenuating circumstance - Student completes Section 4 and attaches evidence (as per table within Section 4 of the form)
Submit the completed form to the Course Coordinator at least 3 business days before a test/exam. If your circumstance arose less than 3 business days before the test/exam, submit no later than 3 days after the missed test/exam.
The decision will normally be emailed within 3 business days. If your application is approved you will have an opportunity to sit a replacement examination, the date of which will be advised.
ACADEMIC SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMS: Academic supps cannot be applied for. They may be offered at the discretion of the Examinations Committee, to permit students to re-sit either one or all of the examination papers if their overall performance was close to the required level (45% average standard).
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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