HLTH SC 1001 - Essentials of Neuroscience
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code HLTH SC 1001 Course Essentials of Neuroscience Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week - 3 hours lecture, 1 hour weekly tutorial Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Assessment Tutorial exercises, critical analysis of scientific literature; quizzes; mid-semester exam; end of semester exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Elysia Sokolenko
Co-course coordinator: Dr Bianca Guglietti
bianca.guglietti@adelaide.edu.auCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Describe the cellular composition of the nervous system and the process of communication between these cells. 2 Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functional anatomy of the nervous system. 3 Explain the neural basis of sensation and perception. 4 Apply knowledge of the functional anatomy of the nervous system to the analysis of human behaviour. 5 Discuss the process of development and change in the nervous system. 6 Display insight into current research issues and the ability to critically evaluate articles drawn from the literature in the field of neuroscience. 7 Demonstrate an ability to work together with classmates during large tutorials in order to apply course knowledge to the completion of a variety of activities. 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.
1-7 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.
4-7 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.
7 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
6, 7 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
N/A Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
. Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
. Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1-7 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Required Textbook: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 4th Ed. Bear, Connors and Paradiso, Wolters Kluwer.
Recommended Resources
Supplementary Textbooks:
1. Neuroscience, 5th Ed. Purves, Sinauer & Associates.
2. The Human Brain Coloring Book, 1st Ed. Diamond and Scheibel, Collins Reference.
3. Lippincott’s Pocket Neuroanatomy. Gould, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Neuroanatomy Web Links:
Allen Brain Atlas:
Neuroanatomy Atlas
(Columbia):
The Whole Brain Atlas
(Harvard Med):
The Human Brain Atlas
(Michigan State):
Scalable Brain Atlas:
HyperBrain quizzes (U of
Utah):
Neuroanatomy Quiz (U of
Minnesota):
e-Learning Neuroanatomy
(Universiteit Gent):
Neuroanatomy Resources
(Buffalo):
Online Learning
This course will use MyUni as a major component. All lecture notes, tutorial activities and lecture recordings will be posted on
MyUni. Announcements and weekly student update emails will be sent via the site. The quizzes at the end of each module will be administered online via MyUni. Finally, a MyUni discussion board to encourage communication with both instructors and other students will be established.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course is divided into five modules:
(1) Cells of the Nervous System
(2) Cellular Communication
(3) Gross Neuroanatomy
(4) Movement and Sensation
(5) Brain and Behaviour
Lecture content will be enhanced through the incorporation of weekly large group tutorials. Within these large group tutorials, students will work within smaller groups of 5-6 students to complete a variety of activities and worksheets designed to reinforce and expand upon course material.
Each module will close with an online quiz, designed both to test students’ understanding of the content and to reveal to them what information may need further revision. This assessment after each module will encourage students to keep up with the material throughout the course, rather than saving their revision for the mid-semester and final exams.
In addition, students will complete three critical analysis of the literature assignments, designed to test their ability to comprehend and critically evaluate articles drawn from the primary scientific literature.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Contact & Non-contact Hours (semester)
Type Number of Sessions Duration of each session (hr) Total hours Lectures 33 1 33 Tutorials 10 1 10 Online quizzes 5 1 5 Critical analysis of the literature tasks 3 2 6 End of Semester Exam 1 2 2 Weekly reading, revision and other study 63 1 63 119 Learning Activities Summary
Module 1: Cells of the Nervous System: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorial 1 and 2) Module 2: Cellular Communication: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorial 3); summative online quiz on Module 1 and 2 and critical analysis task at the end of the module. Module 3: Gross Neuroanatomy: lecture series and tutorial (Tutorial 4 and 5); summative online quiz at the end of the module. Mid-semester exam: The mid-semester exam will consist of questions designed to test student understanding of Weeks 1-6 of the course material. Module 4: Movement and Sensation: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorials 6-8); summative online quiz and critical analysis task at the end of the module. Module 5: Brain and Behaviour: lecture series and tutorials (Tutorials 9 and 10); summative online quiz and critical analysis assignment at the end of the module.
End of semester exam: The end of semester exam will consist of questions designed to test student understanding of the course material from Weeks 7-12. -
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
Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting % Hurdle (Yes/No) Course Learning Outcome(s) being addressed Introductory quiz Formative N/A No N/A Quizzes Summative 25% No 1 - 5 Tutorial group exercises Summative 10% No 1 - 7 Mid-semester exam Summative 20% No 1 - 5 Critical analaysis of the literature tasks Summative 15% No 1 - 5 End of semester exam Summative 30% Yes 1 - 5 Assessment Detail
Introductory Quiz (online): In this formative quiz, students will be given a quiz to test basic understanding of course requirements and introductory material.
Quizzes 1-5 (online): Students are required to complete a quiz testing content from lectures at the end of each module.
Tutorial group exercises: Students are required to attend and participate in each tutorial to gain an attendance mark.
Critical Analysis of the Literature tasks 1-3 (online): Students are required to answer questions in a quiz-type format about a piece of scientific literature.
Mid-Semester Exam: The end of semester exam is not a hurdle requirement, but it was be completed. Students must acheive an overall grade of >50% to pass the course.
End of Semester Exam: The end of semester exam is not a hurdle requirement, but it was be completed. Students must acheive an overall grade of >50% to pass the course.Submission
Quizzes will be completed online in MyUni and must be completed within the set time limits.
More information on procedures and deadlines can be found here:
/student/exams/examinations
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 .
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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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