Students

BIOL2230 – Neurophysiology

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kevin Danastas
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above including [(BIOL2220 or BIOL247) or (20cp from (BIOL1110 or BIOL115) or (BIOL1210 or BIOL108) or (ANAT1001 or HLTH108) or (ANAT1002 or HLTH109) or (PSYU1104 or PSYC104 or PSYU1101) or (PSYU1105 or PSYC105 or PSYU1102) or (COGS1000 or COGS100))]
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This Unit considers the structure and function of the nervous system. We begin with an overview of the functional organization of the central and peripheral divisions of the nervous system. We discuss how the selective permeability of the cell membrane gives rise to the electrical properties of excitable cells. We look in detail at the generation, propagation and transmission of neural signals, and examine the important principles of sensory physiology such as transduction, adaptation and stimulus coding. Having covered these basic principles, the unit goes on to explore the somatosensory system, and the nerves and organs that give rise to the special senses (vision, hearing, taste and smell) are also discussed. We next examine the structure and physiology of muscle cells, and the central control of motor function. Lastly, we cover the autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system, both of which regulate numerous physiological processes throughout the body.

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: Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • ULO2: Understand how the nervous and endocrine systems interact
  • ULO3: Synthesise information taken from the scientific literature about the nervous system and present it to your peers in a concise format
  • ULO4: Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments
  • ULO5: Analyse and interpret the results of simple tests of neural function on human and/or invertebrate animal subjects

General Assessment Information

Requirements to pass this unit

To pass this unit, you must acheive a total mark equal to, or greater than, 50%.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penatly (of the total possible mark of the task will be applied each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example, an assessment worth 20% is due 11.55 pm on 1 January. Student A submits the assessment at 10 pm, 3 January. The assessment received a mark of 18/20. A 10% deduction is then applied to the total possible mark (20), resulting in the loss of two (2) marks. Student A is then awarded a final mark of 16/20.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted:

Lab reports and scientific poster - YES, Standard Late Penatly applies

Online quizzes and mid-semester test - NO, unless special consideration is granted

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Online quizzes

The three quizzes are 20-minute online quizzes which you may do at home. Each quiz has 12 questions. Quiz questions can be multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blanks or calculations. Only one attempt at each quiz is allowed. Similar to the mid-semester test you will see only one question at a time. You will have only one chance to answer each question. You will answer questions sequentially. You may not go back in the quiz to correct any answers. Think carefully before answering and budget your overall time carefully. You will be expected to use correct spelling and grammar in your answers.

Midsemester Test

This test will include 35 quiz questions to be completed in 50 minutes. Any of the material covered in weeks 1-7 (lectures and practicals) may be included in the mid-semester test. Questions can be multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blanks or calculations. You must complete the test individually. During the test you will see only one question at a time. You will have only one chance to answer each question. You will answer questions sequentially. You may not go back in the quiz to correct any answers. Think carefully before answering and budget your overall time carefully. You will be expected to use correct spelling and grammar in your answers.

Practical classes, lab reports and scientific poster

Through your enrolment and personal timetable, you will be assigned a practical time slot and you are expected to attend all practical classes. 

The details of each of the three lab reports and the scientific poster are in the practical notes which can be accessed through iLearn. The completed assignments must be submitted to Turnitin on the due dates given in the table above.

Final exam

The exam is a two hour paper with multiple choice questions, and short answer questions. All the lecture and practical material is examinable.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quizzes 9% No Consult iLearn for due dates
Lab reports 20% No Consult iLearn for submission dates
Scientific poster 6% No 23rd April 11:55pm
Mid-Semester Test 20% No 30th April 11:55pm
Practice Based task 0% No Consult iLearn for classes
Final Exam 45% No S1 exam period

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Consult iLearn for due dates
Weighting: 9%

 

These short online tests are designed to help you assess your progress in learning the unit content.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments
  • Analyse and interpret the results of simple tests of neural function on human and/or invertebrate animal subjects

Lab reports

Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Consult iLearn for submission dates
Weighting: 20%

 

You will prepare and submit lab reports based on lab activities that involve collection and analysis of neurophsyiological data. These assessments link with lectures and other information sources and test your knowledge of the relevant neural systems.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • Understand how the nervous and endocrine systems interact
  • Synthesise information taken from the scientific literature about the nervous system and present it to your peers in a concise format
  • Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments
  • Analyse and interpret the results of simple tests of neural function on human and/or invertebrate animal subjects

Scientific poster

Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: 23rd April 11:55pm
Weighting: 6%

 

You will be assessed on your ability to present a data set and synthesise information on a neuroscience topic as a scientific poster presentation.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise information taken from the scientific literature about the nervous system and present it to your peers in a concise format
  • Analyse and interpret the results of simple tests of neural function on human and/or invertebrate animal subjects

Mid-Semester Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: 30th April 11:55pm
Weighting: 20%

 

The mid semester test will examine your knowledge of the concepts covered in lectures and lab classes from Weeks 1 to 7 inclusive.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments

Practice Based task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Consult iLearn for classes
Weighting: 0%

 

Demonstration of practical laboratory skills and knowledge of protocols, and the submission of practical tasks

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • Understand how the nervous and endocrine systems interact
  • Synthesise information taken from the scientific literature about the nervous system and present it to your peers in a concise format
  • Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: S1 exam period
Weighting: 45%

 

The final exam will be an invigilated exam held during the Semester 1 Exam Period. The exam will use a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions to evaluate your understanding of neurophysiological concepts presented in lectures and lab classes throughout the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how neural signals are generated, transmitted and processed in different parts of the nervous system
  • Assemble basic electrophysiology recording equipment and perform simple electrophysiological experiments

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

Recommended text

The textbook for this unit is “Principles of Human Physiology” by Cindy L Stanfield, published by Pearson. Available electronically through the 'Unit readings - Leganto' Block in iLearn.

Lectures 

There will be two lectures each week. No in-person lectures for this unit. Each week's lectures will be made available through H5P. Lectures are often broken up into shorter chunks to make them easier to listen to, and are linked very closely to the text book material so the supporting reading is very clear. All lecture notes will be available in the week-by-week sections on iLearn. 

Practical classes

Practical classes for all students will be taught face-to-face and will be on campus. They will be held in labs 102, 105 and 110 in building 4 Wally's Walk. For internal (frequent attendance) students, practicals will begin in week 2. Please refer to your personal timetable to identify the specific practical class you enrolled in. All notes and materials for the practical classes can be found in the Practicals block on iLearn. 

Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the general BIOL2230 mailbox, biol257@mq.edu.au, from your university email address.

COVID Information

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Week

Week begins

Lectures 

Practical classes (room 102, 105, 110 4WW)

1

 

20 February

L1 - Nervous System Overview

L2 - Anatomy of the Brain

No practical class

2

 

27 February

L3 - Resting Membrane Potential

L4 - Receptors and Graded Potentials

Prac 1 - Functional Anatomy

 

3

 

6 March

L5 - Action potentials and Nerve Conduction

L6 - Introduction to Electrophysiology

Prac 2 - Action Potentials

 

4

 

13 March

L7 - Neuronal Communication

L8 - Principles of Sensory Physiology

Prac 3 - Neuropharmacology

 

5

 

20 March

L9 - Somatosensory System

L10 - Pain

Prac 4 - Somatosensory 

 

6

 

27 March

L11 - Special Senses - Olfaction and Gustation

L12 - Special Senses - Hearing & Balance

Prac 5 - Sensory Thresholds: Taste and Smell

 

7

 

3 April

L13 - Special Senses - Vision I

L14 - Special Senses - Vision II

Self-directed revision (prep for midsemester test)

No face-to-face classes held this week

 

 

MIDSEMESETER BREAK

 

8

 

24 April

L15 - Muscle Physiology and Muscle Disorder

L16 – Smooth and Cardiac Muscle

No practical activity. Mid-semester test (delivered as an at home online quiz)

9

 

1 May

L17 – Motor Neurons and Reflexes

L18 – Upper Motor Neurons

Prac 6 - Muscle Physiology

 

 

10

 

8 May

L19 – Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia

L20 -  Neurodegenerative Disorders

Prac 7 - Vision & Hearing

 

11

 

15 May

L21 - Autonomic Nervous System I

L22 - Autonomic Nervous System II

Prac 8 - Reflexes and Autonomic Nervous System

 

12

 

22 May

L23 - Neuroendocrine System I

L24 - Neuroendocrine System II

Revision

13

 

29 May

No lectures

No practical classes 

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.

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
23/01/2023 Updated assessment due dates - original due date for the scientific poster was wrong

Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook