Students

PSYN8855 – Neuroanatomy for Neuropsychologists

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Heather Francis
heather.francis@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students explore the human brain, and examine the neuroanatomical and behavioural consequences of brain damage. The unit adopts the standard correlative neuroanatomy approach, discussing development of the nervous system and the anatomy of the mature nervous system (the brain stem and associated structures, diencephalon, and telencephalon; blood supply; white matter pathways; ventricles; and meninges). By the end of the unit students are expected to identify, describe the role of structures of the brain and understand the implications of damage to structures of the brain for neuropsychological practice.

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 classification of the nervous system and the history of this classification model.
  • ULO2: Describe the meaning of key terms used in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology.
  • ULO3: Conceptualise the relationship between different components of the same system (e.g., the pyramidal and extra-pyramidal components of the motor system).
  • ULO4: Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • ULO5: Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.
  • ULO6: Understand the implications of brain damage for neuropsychological practice.

General Assessment Information

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours Due: 30/05/2022 Weighting: 40%

In this one hour exam students will be required to label photographs of brain structures and answer short answer questions.

The final exam is currently scheduled to occur on Macquarie University campus. Students are expected to make themselves available for the final exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. 

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Describe the classification of the nervous system and the history of this classification model.
  • Describe the meaning of key terms used in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology.
  • Conceptualise the relationship between different components of the same system (e.g., the pyramidal and extra-pyramidal components of the motor system).
  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.

Multiple choice in class test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours Due: 04/04/2022 Weighting: 40%

Students will complete forty multiple choice questions within one hour.

The multiple choice in class test is currently scheduled to occur on Macquarie University campus. Students are expected to make themselves available for the test, at the date and time scheduled, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Describe the classification of the nervous system and the history of this classification model.
  • Describe the meaning of key terms used in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology.
  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.

Group Critique of a case study

Assessment Type 1: Presentation Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours Due: Weeks 2 - 10 Weighting: 20%

In small groups (3-4), students will present and critique a recently published single case in an interactive manner, for twenty minutes, followed by ten minutes for questions from the cohort.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.
  • Understand the implications of brain damage for neuropsychological practice.

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 Learning Skills Unit 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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Multiple choice in class test 40% No 04/04/2022
Group Critique of a case study 20% No Weeks 2-10
Final Examination 40% No 30/05/2022

Multiple choice in class test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 04/04/2022
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will complete forty multiple choice questions within one hour

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the classification of the nervous system and the history of this classification model.
  • Describe the meaning of key terms used in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology.
  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.

Group Critique of a case study

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 2-10
Weighting: 20%

 

As a group exercise of 4 students will present and critique a recently published single case in an interactive manner, for twenty minutes, followed by ten minutes for questions from the cohort.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.
  • Understand the implications of brain damage for neuropsychological practice.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 30/05/2022
Weighting: 40%

 

In this one hour exam students will be required to label photographs of brain structures and answer short answer questions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the classification of the nervous system and the history of this classification model.
  • Describe the meaning of key terms used in neuroanatomy and neuropsychology.
  • Conceptualise the relationship between different components of the same system (e.g., the pyramidal and extra-pyramidal components of the motor system).
  • Identify brain structures (including cortical and subcortical structures and blood vessels) and explain what is known about their role in producing behaviour.
  • Explain the anatomical basis of the disorders commonly seen in clinical practice and uncommon disorders.

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

Lectures and practicals will be held from 1pm-4pm on Mondays. Face-to-face lectures and the lab practical are an essential part of PSYN8855. All students are therefore required to come to campus to participate in these sessions and complete the associated in-class assessment tasks. If you are unable to attend a lecture or the lab session in person due to unavoidable reasons (quarantine, illness, etc.), you should apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Reasonable adjustments will be made for students with approved special consideration.

Lectures

Lectures will be held on the dates in the unit schedule. Case presentations will be held during the class (except for the first lecture).

Practical content

A practical neuroanatomy session will be held on 16th May. 

Practical at ASAM on 16th May: The lab is a secure area. To allow us to enter as a group please meet at 12:45 pm at the latest at the ASAM entrance [building F10A, opposite the Macquarie University  hospital, the building has a large red awning]. 

Worksheets will be provided. It will be helpful to bring something like a clipboard as there are no desks. There are lockers for personal possessions as they cannot be taken into the lab area.

Bring a lab coat if you have one. Disposable gowns and gloves will be provided.

Please wear fully enclosed shoes which cover the dorsal part of the foot (no ballet flats, flip-flops/thongs) and tie long hair back. No photographs or other recording devices are allowed. Follow the  instructions of ASAM staff if you are directed in matters of lab safety, protocol or other matters.   

No eating or drinking (including chewing gum) is permitted in the lab.

Respect for the dead is expected at all times.

Unit Schedule

Schedule:

 

Week

Date

Content

Location

Who

1

21st February

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

2

28th February

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

3

7th March

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

4

14th March

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

5

21st March

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

6

28th March

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

7

4th April

Exam

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

8

25th April

Anzac day

No class

Dr Heather Francis

9

2nd May

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

10

9th May

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

11

16th May

Practical

ASAM

A/Prof Ian Johnson

12

23rd May

Lecture

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

13

30th May

Exam

25 Wallys Walk - A114 Tutorial Rm

Dr Heather Francis

 

 

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Macquarie University follow standards-based assessment of student performance. All individual assessment tasks are subject to moderation, consistent with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. A student’s final mark for this unit, and associated grade, must reflect their attainment of the unit learning outcomes, and isn’t necessarily a simple summation of their individual assessment items.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
04/02/2022 Policies and procedures related to on campus attendance have been updated.

Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook