Students
MEDI2300 – Nervous System
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convener
Cara Hildreth
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above including HLTH108 or ANAT1001
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide you with an introductory understanding of the nervous system. This unit integrates both anatomy and physiology allowing you to learn about how the nervous system is organised and communicates information with a particular focus on the production of movement, processing of sensory information, regulation of homeostatic function and the basics of learning and memory. You will also be introduced to drug classes that positively and negatively affect the functioning of the nervous system and the clinical consequences that arise from pathological changes to the nervous system. Key learning activities will include lectures, tutorial and practical sessions. |
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:
- ULO1: Describe the general organisation of the nervous system and how communication occurs within the nervous system.
- ULO2: Identify the brain structures critical for movement, sensation, homeostatic function, and learning and memory.
- ULO3: Discuss how the nervous system produces movement, processes sensory information, regulates homeostatic function and consolidates learning and memory.
- ULO4: Outline the mechanism of action of specifc drug classes that affect the functioning of the nervous system.
- ULO5: Identify how common pathological conditions affect neural control of movement, sensation, homeostatic function and/or learning and memory.
General Assessment Information
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in Schedule 1 of the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, available at https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
All final grades are determined by a grading committee and are not the Unit Convenor's sole responsibility.
Students will be awarded a final grade plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements including professionalism, and achieve an SNG of 50 or better.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Class Quiz | 30% | No | Weeks 2-13 |
| Anatomy Test | 20% | No | Week 12 |
| Final Exam | 50% | No | University Exam Period |
In-Class Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weeks 2-13
Weighting: 30%
Short in-class quiz held during each tutorial class and conducted under exam conditions that assess specified lecture and/or practicals, building on learning that has taken place during each tutorial. Top six test results count towards final mark.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the general organisation of the nervous system and how communication occurs within the nervous system.
- Identify the brain structures critical for movement, sensation, homeostatic function, and learning and memory.
- Discuss how the nervous system produces movement, processes sensory information, regulates homeostatic function and consolidates learning and memory.
- Outline the mechanism of action of specifc drug classes that affect the functioning of the nervous system.
- Identify how common pathological conditions affect neural control of movement, sensation, homeostatic function and/or learning and memory.
Anatomy Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
In-class spot test assessing material covered in and related to anatomy practical sessions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the general organisation of the nervous system and how communication occurs within the nervous system.
- Identify the brain structures critical for movement, sensation, homeostatic function, and learning and memory.
- Discuss how the nervous system produces movement, processes sensory information, regulates homeostatic function and consolidates learning and memory.
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
On-campus formal exam assessing content delivered across the session taken during the University examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the general organisation of the nervous system and how communication occurs within the nervous system.
- Identify the brain structures critical for movement, sensation, homeostatic function, and learning and memory.
- Discuss how the nervous system produces movement, processes sensory information, regulates homeostatic function and consolidates learning and memory.
- Outline the mechanism of action of specifc drug classes that affect the functioning of the nervous system.
- Identify how common pathological conditions affect neural control of movement, sensation, homeostatic function and/or learning and memory.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
In MEDI2300, you will engage in a range of online and/or face-to-face learning activities, including lectures, tutorials and practicals. Details can be found on the MEDI2300 iLearn site.
Unit Schedule
| Week | Lecture Topic | Scheduled Learning Activity | Assessment Task |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | Tutorial | None |
| 2 | Organisation of the Nervous System | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 3 | Cells of the Nervous System | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 4 | Membrane Potential | Online Lecture, Tutorial Practical | In-class Quiz |
| 5 | Action Potential | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 6 | Neurotransmission | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 7 | Development of the Nervous System | Online Lecture, Tutorial, Practical | In-class Quiz |
| 8 | Special Senses I | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 9 | Special Senses II | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 10 | Somatosensation | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
| 11 | Movement | Online Lecture, Tutorial, Practical | In-class Quiz |
| 12 | Homeostasis | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz, Practical Test |
| 13 | Learning and Memory | Online Lecture, Tutorial | In-class Quiz |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.05 of the Handbook