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Principles of Neuroscience (NEUR30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Dr Peter Kitchener
Administrative Coordination
Overview
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This subject explores the fundamental organisational features and functional principles of the nervous system: from the biology of nerve cells and neural circuits to complex behaviours. We consider simple reflex and pattern generating circuits through to sensory and motor systems, and examine the brain regions and processes involved in higher functions such as social cognition and reasoning. The multidisciplinary nature of modern neuroscience is emphasised; students should gain an appreciation of how life science disciplines (such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Psychobiology) have increased our understanding of nervous system function, and how Neuroscience overlaps with other areas of related study (such as Cognitive Science, Information Science, Linguistics, and Experimental and Clinical Psychology).
Intended learning outcomes
- To gain an appreciation of how human behaviour, including complex functions like thought and emotion, is mediated by the brain.
- To understand how neurons form the building blocks of the nervous system, how they communicate with each other, how they are connected to form elementary circuits and how they store information.
- To appreciate the fundamentals of systems underlying sensory perception, including the transduction of sensory stimuli (for example light and sound) and the processing of sensory information by neuronal populations leading, ultimately to perception, and to gain an understanding of how the nervous system initiates and controls movements of the body.
- To appreciate the plastic nature of the nervous system, including how it adapts to changing environments and to ageing, disease and injury.
Generic skills
On completion the students should have developed skills in:
- Independent critical thought.
- Understanding different experimental approaches to problems and the context in which studies have been performed.
- Analysing complex scientific problems and interpreting experimental findings.
- Understanding the interrelationship of ideas and technologies in multi-disciplinary science.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
2 semesters Biology at 1st year, or 1st year of the Bachelor of Biomedicine.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Although there are no specific 200 level prerequisites for this subject it is recommended that B.Sc. students should have completed at least one of the following 200 level life science subjects: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Fundamentals of Cell Biology; Principles of Genetics; Principles of Human Structure; Principles of Microbiology and Immunology; Exploring Human Disease; Fundamentals of Pharmacology; Integrated Human Physiology; Animal Structure and Function.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A 50 minute mid-semester examination (30%); and
- A 2 hour examination (70%) in the examination period.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Peter Kitchener Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week (total contact hours: 36) Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Peter Kitchener
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170hrs
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Purves et al. Neuroscience 5th edition, 2012 Sinauer.
- Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the New Generation BBiomed, NG BSc, pre-2008 BSc, pre-2008 BASc, pre-2008 BBiomedSc.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Neuroscience Major Neuroscience Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Human Structure and Function Major Physiology Major Physiology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Human Structure and Function - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024