Students

ANAT2004 – Neuroanatomy

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stephney Whillier
Stephney Whillier
Tutor
Martin Frutiger
Tutor
Daniel McEncroe
Tutor
MANA ALAVIUON
Tutor
Megan Yanz
Tutor
Miles Prosser
Tutor
Mark Siewert
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
HLTH108 or ANAT1001 or COGS1000
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit builds on the basic anatomy units. It focuses on the structure and function of the nervous system. The unit utilises an integrated approach within which relevant gross anatomy, histology and embryology, as well as clinical and applied anatomy are incorporated.

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 organisation, structure and interconnected function of the nervous system
  • ULO2: Utilise your knowledge of embryology to describe the orientation of the nervous system, structure of the brainstem and the relationship of dermatomes and myotomes with spinal nerves
  • ULO3: Trace somatic and autonomic sensory and motor pathways
  • ULO4: Extend your acquired knowledge of neuroanatomy to discuss, evaluate and interpret clinical case studies and published research.
  • ULO5: Analyse, interpret and assess relevant anatomical structures on images, photographs, bones, models, prosections, normal radiographs, MRI and CT scans.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Tasks Description

  1. Presentation: A strictly two-minute lesson in the tutorial on any one small aspect of the previous week’s lecture content. The intent is to TEACH the concept in your own words, simply, in any creative way to make your audience understand it. You can use PowerPoint, the whiteboard, props/models you make, music, dance, movement – anything you like to ensure the meaning is clear. Note that no pre-recordings are acceptable for this assessment. Please be sure to consult the rubric (see manual) to see how marks are allocated for this task. The presentation must fit into 2 minutes, and will be stopped at 2 minutes. Note: you will choose your presentation week in the first tutorial. Failure to present will result in a zero, unless you have applied for a special consideration
  2. Practical exam: All identification activities conducted during the practical class are examinable, and include identifying structures on images, bones, models, prosections, radiographs, MRI and CT images. A written examination.
  3. Final examination: This will cover the content of the entire semester. It tests knowledge of the theory, and the ability to connect that knowledge to real life situations (e.g., case studies). It will consist of a 2 hour written exam.

 

General assessment Information

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 127-8).

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.

Late Submissions

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Presentation 25% No as arranged in the tutorial class
Final Written Examination 50% No Formal exam period
Practical Exam 25% No 03/11/2025

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: as arranged in the tutorial class
Weighting: 25%

 

You will present one short presentation in the tutorial on a chosen aspect of  unit content

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the organisation, structure and interconnected function of the nervous system
  • Utilise your knowledge of embryology to describe the orientation of the nervous system, structure of the brainstem and the relationship of dermatomes and myotomes with spinal nerves
  • Trace somatic and autonomic sensory and motor pathways
  • Extend your acquired knowledge of neuroanatomy to discuss, evaluate and interpret clinical case studies and published research.

Final Written Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Formal exam period
Weighting: 50%

 

An exam that will cover the content of the semester. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the organisation, structure and interconnected function of the nervous system
  • Utilise your knowledge of embryology to describe the orientation of the nervous system, structure of the brainstem and the relationship of dermatomes and myotomes with spinal nerves
  • Trace somatic and autonomic sensory and motor pathways
  • Extend your acquired knowledge of neuroanatomy to discuss, evaluate and interpret clinical case studies and published research.
  • Analyse, interpret and assess relevant anatomical structures on images, photographs, bones, models, prosections, normal radiographs, MRI and CT scans.

Practical Exam

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 03/11/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

You will attend a practical exam assessing your knowledge of the nervous system by identifying structures on models, prosections, images, bones, radiographs, MRI and CT images.  

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the organisation, structure and interconnected function of the nervous system
  • Analyse, interpret and assess relevant anatomical structures on images, photographs, bones, models, prosections, normal radiographs, MRI and CT scans.

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

Delivery mode

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including face-to-face practicals, face-to-face tutorials, readings, and online PowerPoint and pre-recordings of lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit. All lecture materials will be posted on iLearn. The Audiovisual recording will be available on ECHO which can be found on iLearn.

Activities will comprise:

  1. 1 × 2h pre-recorded lecture and 1 × 1 hour pre-recorded lecture per week, available on ECHO, weeks 1 - 12
  2. 1× 2h laboratory practical class per week, weeks 2 - 12: Students must register for a practical slot on e-student
  3. 1 × 1 hour tutorial class per week, weeks 2 - 12: Students must register for a tutorial slot on e-student

 

 

Required and recommended resources

Required:

  • ANAT2004 Laboratory Course Manual – available as a download on iLearn

Recommended: 

  • Haines DE (2018) Neuroanatomy Atlas in Clinical Context, Structures, Sections, Systems and Syndromes. 10th ed. LWW
  • Krebs C, Weinberg J and Akesson E (2012) Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews Neuroscience Harvey RA (series editor) Wolters Kluwer LWW
  • Kiernan, JA (2009) Barr’s The Human Nervous System An Anatomical Viewpoint. 9th ed. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, PA
  • Blumenfeld H (2002) Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sinauer Associates Inc, Massachusetts.

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

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

PROFESSIONALISM

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 clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), 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, and that 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 2025.02 of the Handbook