Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Thomas Fath
Contact via email
Fridays, 9-10am
Unit Co-Convenor
Shu Yang
Contact via email
Level 1, 75 Talavera Rd
Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays 11-2.30
Marina Junqueira Santiago
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
COGS100 or COGS1000 or HLTH108 or ANAT1001 or BIOL115 or BIOL1110
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
In the first part of this unit you will cover various topics, including the morphogenesis and function of neurons and glial cells in the peripheral and central nervous system. A particular emphasis will be the discussion of the structure and function of specialised micro-compartments in neuronal cells, the generation of electrical signals in neurons, the structure, properties and function of ion channels, receptors and transporters and chemical transmission of signals at nerve cell connections. In the second part of this unit, you will focus on how neuronal function is disrupted in disease and which technologies are available to interrogate functional aspects of the nervous system under physiological conditions and in the diseased nervous system. This will include an in depth discussion of modern experimental technologies in cellular physiology as well as the application of molecular biology techniques to manipulate and explore the function of molecules in the nervous system. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).
To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written 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. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For example:
Number of days (hours) late |
Total Possible Marks |
Deduction |
Raw mark |
Final mark |
1 day (1-24 hours) |
100 |
5 |
75 |
70 |
2 days (24-48 hours) |
100 |
10 |
75 |
65 |
3 days (48-72 hours) |
100 |
15 |
75 |
60 |
7 days (144-168 hours) |
100 |
35 |
75 |
40 |
>7 days (>168 hours) |
100 |
- |
75 |
0 |
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due to circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via ask.mq.edu.au.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Online quizzes | 20% | No | Continuous from Week 2 till Week 10 |
Mid-session exam | 30% | No | Week 7 |
Group presentation | 20% | No | Week 11 |
End-of-session Exam | 30% | No | Exam Period |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Continuous from Week 2 till Week 10
Weighting: 20%
Quizzes assessing understanding of unit content.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%
Written examination assessing all unit content delivered to this point.
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
Group presentation of assigned research articles assessing lecture contents and application of experimental techniques from the practicals.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%
Formal exam assessing all unit content held in the university exam period
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online modules, tutorials, practicals, videos and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Recommended Readings
NEUROSCIENCE, Dale Purves, 6th Edition.
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.
|
Topic/Theme |
Learning Activities |
Week 1 |
Unit Overview – Glial Cells |
Lectures, Tutorial |
Week 2 |
Methods in Neuroscience |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 3 |
Neuronal Polarisation |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 4 |
Neuronal Cell Architecture |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 5 |
Local Protein Synthesis |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 6 |
Protein Trafficking |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 7 |
Synaptic Plasticity |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 8 |
Nerve Regeneration and Neuropathology |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 9 |
Communication between Neurons and Environment |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 10 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Disease |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 11 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Disease |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 12 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Disease |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
Week 13 |
Revision |
Lectures, Tutorial, Practical |
*Note: You will attend practicals only in weeks with odd numbers OR even numbers, dependent on which group you are enrolled in.
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.
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 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
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 provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.
In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.
As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including, practical, laboratory, and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success. By not engaging, you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff, who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.
Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.
Unit information based on version 2023.04 of the Handbook