Examinations

The University Examination period in for Semester 2 is from the 13 November – 3 December, 2017. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University examination timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam

The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for disruption to studies. Information about the disruption to studies process is available at

http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/exams/disruption_to_studies/

In particular, pay attention to the following information on the Disruption to Studies site:

The disruption to studies policy applies only to serious and unavoidable disruptions that arise after a study period has commenced.

Serious and unavoidable disruption: The University classifies a disruption as serious and unavoidable if it:

• could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student; and
• was beyond the student's control; and
• caused substantial disruption to the student's capacity for effective study and/or completion of required work; and
• occurred during an event critical study period and was at least three (3) consecutive days duration, and/or
• prevented completion of a final examination.

Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support.  Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.

If a supplementary examination is granted as a result of the disruption to studies process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. (Individual Faculties may wish to signal when the Faculty Supplementary exams are normally scheduled.)

It is important to realise that you must not put in a Disruption to Studies ahead of a final examination. If you are granted a supplementary exam via the Disruption to Studies process, you will have to write a supplementary exam in the supplementary exam period. In this scenario, only your supplementary exam mark will count towards your final exam mark, irrespective of whether or not you attended the final exam in the normal examination period. The submission of a Disruption to Studies form should not be used as a ‘just in case’ strategy.

You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. You are expected to ensure that you are available until the end of the teaching semester that is the final day of the official examination period.

Returning Assessment Tasks                                                                                                                        

1.  Quizzes and Mid-semester test: Your papers will be returned during the tutorial, and the tutor will review the answers. The papers must be returned to the tutor at the end of the session.

2. Practical exam: Papers will not be returned but marks will be given out prior to the final theory exam.

3. Examination: Papers will not be returned. Marks will be made available on iLearn.

Extensions and penalties                                                                                                        

 Extensions to assignments are at the discretion of the unit convenor. It is the responsibility of the student to prove to the convenor that there has been unavoidable disruption. Marks will be deducted for late submissions in the absence of an approved extension.

Grades                                                                                                                                

Achievement of grades will be based on the following criteria:

High Distinction:  provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes.  There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

Distinction:  provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Credit:  provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes.  There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

Pass:  provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes.  There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline.  The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

Fail: does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.

Sometimes it helps to ‘translate’ these descriptions into numbers. So, what we expect from you in this unit, in order for you to attain a specific grade, is outlined below: 

3. DELIVERY AND RESOURCES

Delivery mode

This unit is characterised by a moderate degree of flexibility. It incorporates a variety of learning tools and media. It will comprise:

1. 1 × 2h lecture and 1 × 1 hour lecture per week, weeks 1 - 13:
2. 1 × 2 hour laboratory practical class per week, weeks 2 - 13: Students must register for a practical slot on e-student
3. 1 × 1 hour tutorial class per week, weeks 2 - 13: Students must register for a tutorial slot on e-student
4. 2 – 3 hours per week revision, completing the weekly Revision tasks in the laboratory manual, preparing for the laboratory practical and tutorial, self-instructional learning and readings from the text.

Class times and locations

1. Lecture:      Monday 12-2pm in W5A T2, and Wednesday 9-10am E7B T3
2. Practicals:  Monday 8-10am, 10-12am, 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm in building F10A Anatomy Lab
3. Tutorials: Thursday 11-12am (TBA), 1-2pm (C5A401), 2-3pm (W5C220), 3-4pm (C5A304) or 4-5pm (C5A232)

Practicals

You must attend the practical and tutorial class in which you enrolled. Students must not exchange their class time. In special circumstances, students may request a specific change. These requests are to be submitted to the convenor.

Attendance Requirements                                                                                                                     

If you miss your assigned practical or tutorial in any week, you may request attendance at an alternative session, through email request and appropriate documentation to the unit convenor. This allowance may be used on a maximum of 2 occasions. Attendance is taken at each practical and tutorial. If you miss more than 2 sessions without emailing the unit convenor to explain why, you will be asked to come in to discuss your progress.

Unit Web Page

You can log in to iLearn System through http://learn.mq.edu.au

All lectures materials will be posted on ECHO Live Streaming on iLearn, which will be a single link that includes the lecture Powerpoint, additional material like videos, and the recorded lecture. Interactive materials e.g. lecture quizzes and polls will also be available at this site. Note that the lecture will be live streamed as well as recorded.

Required and recommended resources

Required:

• Haines, DE (2015) Neuroanatomy, An Atlas of Stuctures, Sections, and Systems. 9^th ed. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Krebs C, Weinberg J and Akesson E  (2012) Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews Neuroscience Harvey RA (series editor) Wolters Kluwer LWW
• HLTH214 Laboratory Course Manual – available at Co-op bookshop. Macquarie University Printery.

Recommended: 

• Kiernan, JA (2009) Barr’s The Human Nervous System An Anatomical Viewpoint. 9^th ed. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, PA
• Blumenfeld H (2002) Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sinauer Associates Inc, Massachusetts.

Websites:

An excellent website for anatomy is now available on our Macquarie University library website. Go to Databases, choose the subject ‘Chiropractic’ and click on ‘Anatomy.tv’ for Wolterskluwer Ovid Primal Pictures Interactive Anatomy

4. UNIT SCHEDULE

The content is divided into 13 topics. All topics include a few selected associated pathologies for discussion

Topic 1: Overview     

• The overall organisation of the nervous system (central and peripheral), anatomical structure, histology and nomenclature

Topic 2: Ontogeny     

• Overview of the embryological development of the CNS

Topic 3: Cerebral cortex      

• The detailed anatomical structure (surface, sagittal and coronal), and associated function of the cortex, including selected Brodmann areas

Topic 4: Limbic System

• Limbic system structure and function

Topic 5: Diencephalon           

• The detailed divisions and structures, boundaries, and functions, with emphasis on the thalamus as the gateway of the cerebral cortex and the multiple functions of the hypothalamus

Topic 6: Basal ganglia           

• Classification, detailed structure, position and role in modifying motor control

Topic 7: Brainstem    

• The divisions, detailed anatomy and function of the brainstem as a conduit, centre of most cranial nerve nuclei, and integrator of information
• The reticular formation

Topic 8: Cerebellum  

• Detailed gross anatomy, general microanatomy, multiple inputs and functional circuitry

Topic 9: Spinal cord, plexuses and peripheral nerves          

• The detailed gross anatomy and cross-sectional structure, with emphasis on the fibre tracts of the spinal cord 

Topic 10: Autonomic nervous system           

• Classification, gross architecture, anatomy and function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system

Topic 11: Special sensory pathways

• Identification of the neurological pathways of the special senses viz vision, hearing, balance, olfaction and taste   

Topic 12: Somatosensory pathways 

• Tracing ascending pathways

Topic 13: Motor pathways    

• Tracing pyramidal and extrapyramidal descending pathways, and the role of the basal ganglia and cerebellum in the planning and monitoring of movements

Timetable for Lectures, Practicals and Tutorials

CHANGES MADE TO PREVIOUS OFFERINGS OF THIS UNIT

In accordance with the new Assessment Policy and feedback from 2016, the assessments in this unit have been reviewed. In particular, the assignment has been removed, and more frequent quizzes have been given to ensure students remain up-to-date with the content. The mid-semester test has also been removed from its previous evening slot, and the length has been reduced to accommodate it in the tutorial time period.

Owing to the repositioning of the practicals from Wednesday to Monday of each week (and therefore ahead of the lectures), the content in the practicals and tutorials had to delayed to a week after the work had been covered in the lecture period. This has resulted in some re-arrangement of the weekly schedule to accommodate these changes.