Functional Neuroanatomy (ANAT3022)

Course overview

Up-to-date concepts & notions of human brain & behaviour for science and psychology students. Emphasis on factors which define brain structures & functions & cognitive functions. Practical classes based on histology and macroscopic anatomy.

This course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the human brain. Particular attention is given to the relationship between structure and function. During the first half of the course, you will be given a series of lectures that provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the human brain in terms of its functional components, and how these work together to ultimately produce behaviour. In parallel to these lectures, you will participate in practicals during which human brain specimens are investigated to help you better understand the structural organisation of the human brain and the inter-relationship between its various components. In the second half of the course, you will be ﾠintroduced to topic- and disease-focussed specialty lectures from leading researchers in the field. You will then also re-apply practically what you have learned in terms of neuroanatomy by conducting a basic dissection and neuropathological examination of the human brain. Throughout the course, the anatomy of the brain is understood in terms ofﾠ its functional roles in perception, movement, learning, language, and emotion. We are very lucky to have some of the best neuroscientists and experts teaching into this course.

Practical classes conducted in the Gross Anatomy Facility (GAF) in the Otto Hirschfeld Building (#81), St Lucia Campus use human cadaveric specimens. Students unable to fully participate for medical, personal or religious reasons, should discuss their situation with the Course Coordinator prior to enrolment.

Of special note:

• The study of real human anatomy depends on altruistic gifts of donors and demands a respectful behaviour and professional attitude of students and staff at all times (see Learning Resources (Required) for compulsory training and relevant acts and policy documents). Students should note that it is a requirement under Queensland law to appropriately conduct themselves when examining human cadaveric specimens. The Transplantation and Anatomy Act, 1974 (Qld), s34 (2) states that: "A person who performs an anatomical examination upon a body shall do so in a quiet, orderly and decent manner." A failure to comply with this rule of the Anatomy Act may be regarded as a criminal offence under part s236 (b) of the Criminal Code Act, 1899 (Qld) which states "A person who improperly or indecently interferes with, or offers any indignity to, any dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not...is liable to imprisonment...". Any such breaches may be referred to, or prosecuted by, the police.
• As per the SBMS Code of Conduct for Use of Human Tissues (see Learning Resources (Required), personal electronic devices including mobile phones, cameras, tablets and other recording devices, must not be used anywhere in the GAF, and they cannot be carried on your person (even in the off position) beyond the bag rack areas. Use of the cadavers for entertainment, profit, and/or other personal purposes is strictly prohibited. Unauthorised photography, electronic imaging, and/or postings on social media that compromise donor confidentiality or discuss dissecting room protocol are banned. Severe penalties apply for breach of these rules, including expulsion from the University.

ﾠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

In addition to having completed either BIOM2020 for BSc, BBiomedScﾠor BAdvSc(Hons), or PSYC2020 or BPsycSc(Hons) students only, you will beﾠexpected to have a basic knowledge of cell biology and neurophysiology.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOM2020 or NEUR2020 or PSYC2020

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Practical sessions in Anatomy

Students should note that this course utilises human cadaveric specimens during the practical classes. Potential students who, for medical, personal or religious reasons, are unable to fully participate in this course should discuss their situation with the Course Coordinator prior to enrolment.

The study of real human anatomy depends on altruistic gifts of donors and demands a respectful behaviour and professional attitude of all students at all times (see 3.1 Required Learning Resources for compulsory training and relevant acts and policy documents). It is a requirement under Queensland law for all studentsﾠto conduct themselves appropriately when examining human cadaveric specimens. Use of the cadavers for entertainment, profit, and/or other personal purposes is strictly prohibited.ﾠA failure to comply with the relevant sections of theﾠTransplantation and Anatomy Act, 1974ﾠ(Qld)ﾠmay be regarded as a criminal offence under part s236 (b) of theﾠCriminal Code Act, 1899ﾠ(Qld), which states "A person improperly or indecently interferes with, or offers any indignity to, any dead human body or human remains, whether buried or not...is liable to imprisonment...". Any such breaches may be referred to, or prosecuted by, the police.

Students are otherwise reminded that, as per the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS)ﾠCode of Conduct for Use of Human Tissues, personal electronic devices including mobile phones, cameras, tablets and other recording devices, must not be used anywhere in theﾠGross Anatomy Facilityﾠ(GAF), and they cannot be carried on youﾠin person (even in the off position) beyond the bag rack areas.

Unauthorised entry into the Gross Anatomy Facility,ﾠphotography, electronic imaging, and/or postings on social media that may compromise donor confidentiality are strictly banned. Severe penalties apply for breach of these rules, including expulsion from the University.ﾠ

Please note that all of the above rulesﾠextend to whenever human cadaveric specimens are used in the Histology Laboratory, the Functional Anatomy Facility, or in one of the Physiology Laboratories (Macgregor Building 64).

Aims and outcomes

The main aim of this course is to provide students with an in-depth overview of the anatomy and function of the human brain. To achieve this goal, students will be introduced to the various structural components of the human brain and how these relate to the various functional systems via which we perceive sensory stimuli, process and integrate information and, ultimately, produce behaviour. The neuroanatomical knowledge that is acquired during the first part of the course, via both lectures and practicals, will be re-applied in a second series of lectures that focus on powerful modern imaging tools that allow for live studying of the human brain in health and disease.ﾠ
ﾠ
ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

In-Semester Exam (Theory)

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

35%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025

Will be held on either the 6/09/25, 13/09/25 or 20/09/25 (personal timetables to be released on 7/08/25).

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

In-Semester Exam (Practical)

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

25%

Due date

26/09/2025

Note that the exam is scheduled in your regularly scheduled practical group.

Exam duration is approximately 50 minutes.

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L08

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

End-of-Semester Exam (Theory)

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L07, L08, L09, L10

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

To pass this course you must meet the following hurdle requirements:

• You must obtain a PASS mark on the end-of-semester examﾠ

If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course and does NOT successfully complete the hurdles, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

The supplementary assessment may be in the form of an exam (written or oral), a written submission or another assessment as determined by the Course Coordinator. It may be made up of multiple components and will allow students to meet any outstanding Learning Outcomes. The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only and a passing grade will be awarded only if a student passes the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Refer to the SBMS Assessment Guidelines for School specific assessment information.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

Gross Anatomy Facility (GAF): a variety of models, wet and plastinated specimens of the human brain, spinal cord, and nervous system tissues will be available to you during practical classes ﾠfor investigation. A select number of potted (dissected) human brain specimens will also be available for viewing.

A GAF Policy and Procedures Laboratory Manual will also be available to students when in the GAF. Compulsory face-to-face GAF inductions for students will also be conducted at the start of semester, by the GAF staff, at scheduled times. Students are required to attend one of these face-to-face induction sessions prior to undertaking any classes in the GAF.

Any non-compliance with state legislation or university, school or GAF policy may result in an investigation and disciplinary action.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• SBMS Assessment Guidelines

Course guidelines

State Legislation

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students should be familiar with and shall not contravene:

The Transplantation and Anatomy Act, 1979 (Qld) - http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TransplAAnatA79.pdf

The Criminal Code Act, 1899 (Qld) - https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/legisltn/current/c/crimincode.pdf