PHYSIOL 3104 - Cellular & Systems Neurobiology
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSIOL 3104 Course Cellular & Systems Neurobiology Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites PHYSIOL 2510 Incompatible PHYSIOL 3001 Assumed Knowledge PHYSIOL 2520 Assessment MCQ and short answer questions (summative, one for each of four blocks of lectures); online tutorials (formative) with quizzes (summative). Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Steven Wiederman
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
see the Course Planner for details -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Demonstrate an understanding of foundational concepts of neurophysiology from the molecular to the systems levels. 2 Demonstrate an understanding of the signalling processes involved in modulating neurophysiological functions for higher cognitive function and adaptation. 3 Explain the major theories and supporting evidence for quantitative principles of neurobiology. 4 Read and interpret case studies based on primary literature. 5 Solve quantitative problems based on knowledge of first principles in neurobiology. 6 Demonstrate an understanding the pathophysiological basis of nervous system diseases and the relevance of neuroscience research to ethics, environment, and health care. 7 Acquire, read, interpret and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner 8 Work in groups and individually in the pursuit of scientific knowledge 9 Be conversant in a broad range of investigative methods and scientific applications, including the selection, implementation, ethical use, and limitations of the experimental techniques in physiology, neuroscience and related fields of research. 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.
1-3 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.
7-9 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.
3-9 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.
8 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.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Few additional resources are needed to complete this course.Recommended Resources
Course reading will focus on review articles and published scientific papers, posted on the course Canvas website. There is no required
textbook.
ONLINE RESOURCES (free) recommended in the course include:
Neuroscience, edited by D Purves et al., NCBI
Bookshelf
Nernst Goldman Equation simulator, S Wright, University of Arizona
Topics in Biology, Khan Academy
Open University, iTunes
Online Learning
This course will use canvas as a major component. All lecture notes, tutorial activities and lecture recordings will be posted on Canvas. 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 canvas. Theory will be presented in lectures and assigned published scientific papers, and supported by in-class review sessions (‘lectorials’). On-line tutorials will revise concepts and allow development of problem solving skills. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Blended learning will take place in this course. Large group lecture sessions will vary. Some sessions will be lectures, others will be question and answer sessions and case study (journal club) scenarios. Students will be divided into small groups to undertake problem-solving tasks in these sessions and within the tutorial groups. Some lectures will be pre-recorded and utlilise the flipped classroom approach.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Workload- Structured learning
Lectures: 42 x 1hr = 42 hours
Exams in class: 3 x 1.5hrs = 4.5 hours
Assessment Tasks (semester)
3 mid-semester exams at 20% each: Total hours = 36
1 final exam (not cumulative) at 20%: Total hours = 12
Non-contact hours (semester)
Weekly reading & other study (h/lecture): Total hours = 50.4
SUM TOTAL HOURS PER SEMESTER: 157Learning Activities Summary
WEEK LECTURE TOPIC
1 Development of the central nervous system
2 Neurotransmission and the cellular basis of memory and learning
3 Introduction to sensory systems
4 Olfaction and gustation
5 Visual system
6 Hearing and balance; clinical translation
7 Overview of the peripheral nervous system
8 Neural crest development, and neural control of homeostasis
9 Neural control of smooth muscle and organ function; genetic tools
10 Overview of ion channels
11 Principles of electrical signalling
12 Synaptic signalling and information processing in the nervous systemSpecific Course Requirements
Prerequisite:
Physiol 2510 Physiology IIA: Heart, Lung & Neuromuscular Systems
Assumed knowledge:
PHYSIOL 2520 Physiology IIB: Systems & Homeostasis -
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
Examinations are MCQ tests (summative, one for each of the four blocks of lectures). Online tutorials are provided to allow revision of main concepts (formative), and paired with online quizzes (summative). Guest lectures require sudents to submit a question (for each lecture) in class after the lecture.Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Mid-term examinations (in class) Summative 3 x 20% each = 60% Final examination (not cumulative) Summative 1 x 20% Formative online problem sets Formative 4 x 0% each Online tutorials Summative 4 x 4% each = 16% Guest lectures Summative 2 x 2% each = 4%
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. Theory will be presented in lectures and assigned published scientific papers, and supported by in-class review sessions (‘lectorials’). On-line tutorials will revise concepts and allow development of problem solving skills.Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
No information currently available.
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.
SELTS for the course and for the instructors will be run annually. -
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
Open office hours with lecturers are scheduled in timetabled slots throughout the semester. -
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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