Students
COGS100 – Introduction to Cognitive and Brain Sciences
2016 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Tutor
Jordan Wehrman
Tutor
Tijl Grootswagers
Tutor
Lina Teichmann
Tutor
Kate Hardwick
David Kaplan
Bianca De Wit
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
[Admission to BHumanSc or BA-PsychBHumanSc or BPsych(Hons)BHumanSc or BSc or BA or BPsych(Hons) or BSc-Psych or BA-Psych or BA-PsychBEd(Prim) or BA-PsychLLB or BBABA-Psych or BBABPsych(Hons) or BComBA-Psych or BComBPsych(Hons) or BPsych(Hons)LLB or BAdvSc or BClinSc or BMedScs or BSpHLSc] or [12cp and GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)]
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an intensive introduction to the fundamentals of modern neuroscience, with a focus on the structure and function of the human brain. Topics include neuroanatomy, neural signalling, sensory processing, and the neural control of movement.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the basic structure and function of the central nervous system with an emphasis on the human brain.
- Understand key terminology and basic principles of the cognitive and brain sciences.
- Describe the core methods employed in the cognitive and brain sciences.
- Analyse and interpret scientific papers in the cognitive and brain sciences.
General Assessment Information
Requirements to pass the unit
A passing grade is contingent on completion and submission of all assessments. Failure to complete and submit any assessments [quiz 1, commentary paper 1, quiz 2, commentary paper 2, final exam] will automatically result in a fail grade and any subsequent pieces of work will not be assessed. All requests for extensions should be made prior to the due date for the assignment, and are to be made online via the University’s Ask MQ system.
Late Penalty
Late submission of an assignment will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark for every day that the assignment is late (including weekend days). For example, if the assignment is worth 40 marks and your assignment is submitted 2 days late, a penalty of 2x5%x40 = 4 marks will be applied and subtracted from the awarded mark for the assignment. Work submitted more than 14 days after the submission deadline will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies and that requests for extensions for assignments must be made via the University’s Ask MQ System (as outlined in the Disruption to Studies Policy).
Final Grade
Your final grade is determined by your performance in meeting the learning outcomes for the unit. The Standard Numerical Grade (SNG) reflects the extent to which your performance matches the grade descriptors, as outlined in the Macquarie University Grading Policy. Please note that your final mark may be scaled and therefore may not necessarily be a raw sum of the marks received for the individual assessment tasks.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | 10% | 23/03/2016 |
| Commentary paper 1 | 10% | 11/05/2016 - 4pm |
| Quiz 2 | 15% | 25/05/2016 |
| Commentary paper 2 | 15% | 01/06/2015 - 4pm |
| Final Exam | 50% | Session 1 examination period |
Quiz 1
Due: 23/03/2016
Weighting: 10%
30 minute quiz conducted during the lecture.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the basic structure and function of the central nervous system with an emphasis on the human brain.
- Understand key terminology and basic principles of the cognitive and brain sciences.
Commentary paper 1
Due: 11/05/2016 - 4pm
Weighting: 10%
Highly structured essay of 750 words maximum.
The paper should be submitted via iLearn using the Turnitin submission tool. Feedback and marks will be given via iLearn only. Please allow time to familiarise yourself with how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the core methods employed in the cognitive and brain sciences.
- Analyse and interpret scientific papers in the cognitive and brain sciences.
Quiz 2
Due: 25/05/2016
Weighting: 15%
30 minute quiz conducted during the lecture.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the basic structure and function of the central nervous system with an emphasis on the human brain.
- Understand key terminology and basic principles of the cognitive and brain sciences.
Commentary paper 2
Due: 01/06/2015 - 4pm
Weighting: 15%
Highly structured essay of 750 words maximum.
The paper should be submitted via iLearn using the Turnitin submission tool. Feedback and marks will be given via iLearn only. Please allow time to familiarise yourself with how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the core methods employed in the cognitive and brain sciences.
- Analyse and interpret scientific papers in the cognitive and brain sciences.
Final Exam
Due: Session 1 examination period
Weighting: 50%
Final exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions.
The session 1 examination period is from the 14th of June - 1st of July.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the basic structure and function of the central nervous system with an emphasis on the human brain.
- Understand key terminology and basic principles of the cognitive and brain sciences.
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
- Lectures are held weekly, starting in Week 1 on Wednesdays 4-6 pm in the Mason Theatre (E7B). Lecture recordings are available via Echo360.
- Tutorials are held weekly, starting in Week 1. Please check eStudent for the location of your tutorial.
iLearn
You will need access to the internet to access the unit's iLearn page. Through iLearn you will be able to access the lecture recordings (Echo360), additional readings, and feedback and marks for the assessment tasks. You are also required to submit two of the assessment tasks (commentary paper 1 and commentary paper 2) via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool. Please allow time to familiarise yourself with how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment.
Textbook
Purves D. et al. (Eds.) (2012) NEUROSCIENCE, Fifth edition. MA, USA: Sinauer Associates, Inc.
Recommended resource on academic honesty
The learning skills team at Macquarie University has designed an Academic Integrity Module for you to enrol in to help you learn about:
- What "academic integrity" is and why it's important
- Acceptable and unacceptable academic behaviours at university
- What 'plagiarism' is and key strategies to avoid it
- Your responsibilities in relation to academic integrity and your rights under the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the basic structure and function of the central nervous system with an emphasis on the human brain.
- Understand key terminology and basic principles of the cognitive and brain sciences.
- Describe the core methods employed in the cognitive and brain sciences.
Assessment tasks
- Quiz 1
- Commentary paper 1
- Quiz 2
- Commentary paper 2
- Final Exam
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyse and interpret scientific papers in the cognitive and brain sciences.
Assessment tasks
- Commentary paper 1
- Commentary paper 2
- Final Exam
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyse and interpret scientific papers in the cognitive and brain sciences.
Assessment tasks
- Commentary paper 1
- Commentary paper 2
- Final Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the unit
Your tutor can answer most of the questions that you may have about the unit, including questions about the unit in general and specific questions about the tutorials. If you experience difficulty in this unit, you should approach you tutor first. You can get in touch with your tutor before or after your tutorial, via email, or via the dialogue tool on iLearn. Contact details for tutors can be found at the top of this unit guide. Please note that your tutor is your first point of contact for any of these questions. The unit convenor is to be contacted only when absolutely necessary, and is to be contacted during the specified contact hours or via email only.
Questions about uploading assignments via iLearn
You are required to submit two of the assessment tasks (commentary paper 1 and commentary paper 2) via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool. Please use the following step-to-step guides for insitrctuons on how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment.
Requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies
Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies. All requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies should be made prior to the due date for the assignment, are to be made directly via the University’s online Ask MQ system (as outlined in the Disruption to Studies Policy).
Requests for tutorial changes
Changes to tutorials need to be done online via eStudent only. After week 2, no further changes will be entertained unless supporting documentation about the reason for changing is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to enrol in. Please note that changes to tutorials cannot be made by the unit convenor or tutor.
Questions about workload
The number of credit points a unit is worth is determined by how many hours the student is expected to spend each week at formal classes, writing essays, preparing for tutorials and in study related to the unit. For a half year unit 4 hours is allowed per credit point, so it would be expected that a student would spend 3 (credit points) by 4 hours = 12 hours per week on this unit.