Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor & Lecturer
A/Prof. Nathan Hart
Contact via email
E8B 219
Katherine McClellan
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
15cp at 100 level including (BIOL108 and BIOL115) or ((BIOL108 or BIOL115) and (BBE100 or BIOL114 or BIOL116 or BIOL122 or COGS100 or HLTH108 or PSYC104))
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This Unit considers the structure and function of the human nervous system. We begin with a discussion on how the selective permeability of the cell membrane gives rise to the electrical properties of cells, in particular nerve and muscle 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. Students then study the anatomy and functional organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Having covered these basic principles, the Unit goes on to explore the somatosensory system, which is involved in proprioception and the perception of touch, pain and temperature. 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 functions. Lastly, we cover the autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system, both of which regulate numerous physiological processes throughout the body.This unit is designed to serve science, medical science and chiropractic students, and is also of interest to students studying psychology with an emphasis on physiology.
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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:
In order to pass this Unit, students must achieve an overall mark of 50%, submit all assessments (i.e. essay) and attend at least 6 of the 9 different practical classes (excluding the mid-semester test and the revision sessions which are also held in the practical class slots).
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Weekly online quizzes | 10% | No | Weeks 1-12 |
Essay | 15% | No | 30/4/17 |
Mid-semester test | 25% | No | 20/5/17 |
Final exam | 50% | No | TBA |
Due: Weeks 1-12
Weighting: 10%
Each week, students will need to complete an online quiz (iLearn) based on the topics covered in that week's lectures.
Due: 30/4/17
Weighting: 15%
Students are required to submit a 1,500 word essay on a topic selected from a list provided on iLearn. The essay should discuss the topic critically with reference to the primary scientific literature.
Due: 20/5/17
Weighting: 25%
External students will sit this test (1.5hr) in their usual practical class on the first day of the second On-Campus Session on 20 May 2017. The test will comprise a mixture of multiple choice questions, objective questions and short answer questions. The questions will be on the lecture topics covered in Weeks 1 to 7 and the practicals/tutorials conducted in the first On-Campus Session (20-21 April).
Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%
The final exam (2hr) will consist of 40 multiple choice questions and 6 short answer questions. The short answer questions will be split across two sections that relate to material covered in the first and second halves of the Unit, respectively. Students will need to select 3 out of the 4 short answer questions offered in each section. All lecture and practical/tutorial material is examinable.
Delivery Mode
This Unit will be delivered through:
Practical/tutorial classes - Attendance requirements
Class times and locations
Lectures
Practical/tutorial classes
Required and recommended resources
Required resource
Recommended text
Other recommended resources
Unit website
All lecture material, laboratory/practical class manuals and other essential Unit information will be posted on iLearn (http://ilearn.mq.edu.au). iLearn should be checked regularly for any updates.
Date | Lab session (09:00 - 17:00) | |
External on-campus session 1 |
20 April 2017 (Thursday) |
Lab induction Resting membrane potential Generation of action potentials |
21 April 2017 (Friday) |
Conduction and propagation of action potentials Brain anatomy Special senses |
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External on-campus session 2 |
20 May 2017 (Saturday) |
Mid-semester test Somatosensory system Muscle physiology |
21 May 2017 (Sunday) |
Reflexes Autonomic nervous system Review and revision |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
Final Examination - Disruption to Studies Policy - Additional Information
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available for the week of July 24 – 28, 2017. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Date | Description |
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29/01/2017 | Updated the Learning Outcomes and added additional information about the Disruption to Studies Policy for Final Exams. |