Course coordinator
Associate Professor Peter Noakes
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Biomedical Sciences School
Introduces aspects of molecular and cellular neuroscience through lectures tutorials, presentations and SDLs. Part 1 will provide the basic information and Part 2 will place this information in the context of current developments in molecular neuroscience and neurochemistry.
This course will focus on cell and molecular neuroscience. It will cover the mechanisms that operate to regulate neuronal identity, synaptic function, synaptic plasticity and neural circuits. This course will also examine the cell and molecular basis of neural disease, which can be understood from our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that operate to control normal neural function. All lecturers are research-active neuroscientists with international reputations in their specific field of cell and molecular neuroscience. In addition to lectures on these topics, students will learn in detail about a particular aspect of molecular neuroscience by critical analyses of data presented in scientific papers or by experimentation. These non-lecture activities will be small group-based activities led by one of the lecturers and will run over several weeks of the semester. The details of these activities will be presented in the 1st lecture.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Basic understanding of animal cell physiology, basic neuroanatomy, basic biochemistry and cell biology, all of which are covered in the pre-requisites.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOM2011
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOL2200
Course contact
School enquiries
Student and Academic Administration Team
The SBMS Student and Academic Administration Team is located on Level 1 of the Sir William Macgregor Building (64-130)
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Victor Anggono
Associate Professor Mark Bellingham
Professor Elizabeth Coulson
Professor Fred Meunier
Dr Aleksander Kakinen
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Timetables are available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course will focus on the cell and molecular mechanisms of a functioning nervous system, with particular emphasis on synapses and neural circuits.ﾠ These objectives will provide an up to date understanding of how the nervous system works at its most fundamental level. It will also provide an understanding of the cell and molecular basis of some key nervous system disorders.ﾠ The course is composed of 9 modules, each given by one lecturer and complemented with small focus group activities. This combined approach is designed to allow for individual active learning and communication in an area of the students choice.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Discuss and/or apply the experimental techniques used to assess neuronal function (i.e. synaptic function).
LO2.
Critically evaluate and analyse scientific data.
LO3.
Demonstrate written and/or oral scientific communication, including comprehension of neuroscience research articles.
LO4.
Differentiate normal and abnormal neuronal function, at the cellular and molecular levels.
LO5.
Defend a scientific position.
Assessment
Assessment summary
Journal Club
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Journal Club
|
18% |
Students must submit all sheets by the last day of classes. One reschedule of the presentation is permitted. |
Practical
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Practical
|
18% |
Students must submit all sheets by the last day of classes. One reschedule of the presentation is permitted. |
Non-block / stream assessments
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Online Quiz 1
|
6% |
14/04/2025 - 17/04/2025
Quiz opens at 9:00AM on the opening day and closes at 1:00PM on the due date. |
| Examination |
In-semester Exam
|
35% |
28/04/2025 |
| Quiz |
Online Quiz 2
|
6% |
26/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Quiz opens at 9:00AM on the opening day and closes at 1:00PM on the due date. |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Journal Club
Journal Club
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
Students must submit all sheets by the last day of classes.
One reschedule of the presentation is permitted.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Students will register for either a Journal Club or Practical class in the first week of classes.
Students will be assigned to a journal club in which they will be asked to give a paper presentation to the remainder of the group. Students will be required to complete a paper feedback sheet for each paper, including posing questions, to the Journal Club leader on the Monday before each particular paper is presented.
All students will be marked individually. Criteria marking sheets will be supplied. Details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on the course Blackboard site during the semester.
Participation in all journal club classes is expected. If students are unable to attend the journal club in which they are scheduled to present, they can contact the journal club leader to discuss an alternate date. A reschedule will only be permitted once. If a student is unable to attend a rescheduled session, or if they are scheduled to present in the last journal club of the semester, they must apply for a deferred exam and meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for a deferral.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct .
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Practical
Practical
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
Students must submit all sheets by the last day of classes.
One reschedule of the presentation is permitted.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Students will register for either a Journal Club or Practical class in the first week of classes.
Students will self enrol in a practical group in which they will be asked to give a paper presentation to the remainder of the group. Students will be required to complete a practical lab book each week and submit this to their practical supervisor.
All students will be marked individually. Criteria marking sheets will be supplied. Details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on the course Blackboard site during the semester.
Participation in all practical classes is expected. If students are unable to attend the practical class in which they are scheduled to present, they can contact the practical supervisor to discuss an alternate date. A reschedule will only be permitted once. If a student is unable to attend a rescheduled session, or if they are scheduled to present in the last practical class of the semester, they must apply for a deferred exam and meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for a deferral.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct .
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Non-block / stream assessments
Online Quiz 1
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 6%
- Due date
14/04/2025 - 17/04/2025
Quiz opens at 9:00AM on the opening day and closes at 1:00PM on the due date.
Task description
Online MCQ Quiz. 15 minutes (10 questions).
This quiz will cover content taught by Drs Meunier, Noakes, Anggono, and Kakinen
Details of the quiz format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct .
Submission guidelines
We recommend that you do not use the Blackboard Phone App nor a wireless network connection when completing this Blackboard assessment. Both are unstable and could affect your ability to complete your Blackboard assessment, by for example:
- you may lose connectivity and lose the work you have completed;
- your submission could indicate you have completed your assessment task, but nothing has been delivered into BlackBoard.
Please ensure that you only use a reliable internet connection.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
In-semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
28/04/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
The exam will be a closed book on-campus exam. Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
The exam will run from 5-7pm. You will have 10 minutes perusal and 90 minutes to complete the exam from the time that you start the first question. The in-semester exam will cover lecture material from Meunier, Noakes, Angonno, and Kakinen. Details of the examination format will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
Examinations will comprise questions which may include a mix of definitions, problem solving, and short answer questions.
The following criteria will be used to award the marks for each question style:
- Multiple Choice: Selection of the correct answer from the options provided
- Short Answer: Concise and appropriate explanations in a logical format which comprehensively covers the important issues of the question
- Short Answer should also include, if used, clear definition of terms; correct use of terminology; well-labelled diagrams; graphs with appropriate scales/axes; procedures describing each correct step; accurate solutions to problem solving exercises.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
No late submission possible.
Online Quiz 2
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 6%
- Due date
26/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Quiz opens at 9:00AM on the opening day and closes at 1:00PM on the due date.
Task description
Online MCQ Quiz. 15 minutes. 8 questions
This quiz will cover content taught by Bellingham, Millard, Noakes and Coulson
Details of the quiz format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct
Submission guidelines
We recommend that you do not use the Blackboard Phone App nor a wireless network connection when completing this Blackboard assessment. Both are unstable and could affect your ability to complete your Blackboard assessment, by for example:
- you may lose connectivity and lose the work you have completed.
- your submission could indicate you have completed your assessment task, but nothing has been delivered into Blackboard.
Please ensure that you only use a reliable internet connection.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.
If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.
Late submission
No late submission possible.
End of Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
The exam will be a closed book invigilated exam held on campus, undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform. Students will be required to bring a laptop to the exam that meets the device requirements for Inspera. It is important that you check before the exam that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. The Library website Get familiar with Inspera provides the latest information for students about using Inspera. Further information about the exam will be provided on Blackboard.
Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
You will have 10 minutes perusal and 90 minutes to complete the exam from the time that you start the first question. The End of Semester exam will ONLY cover lecture material from Bellingham, Millard, Noakes, and Coulson. Details of the examination format will be provided on blackboard during the semester. The Location of the exam will be organised by UQ exams.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
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.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 0% - 29%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 30% - 44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 45% - 49%ﾠ OR A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% or greater, but less than a pass in any of the assessment hurdles outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 50% - 64% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 65% - 74% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 75% - 84% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score for all intra-semester and end of semester assessment items of 85% - 100% AND successful completion of assessment hurdles as outlined below in "Additional Course Grading Information". |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Information onﾠapplying for an assessment extensionﾠcan be found on theﾠApplying for an extension website.
Information onﾠapplying for a deferred examﾠcan be found on theﾠDeferring an exam website.
Information onﾠassessment re-mark requestsﾠcan be found on theﾠQuerying a result website.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
- Most resources will be available on the course website under the "Resources" link but check with the specific lecturer or Journal Club Leader where appropriate. Resources consist of lecture handouts and recordings, Journal articles for the Journal Club tutorials.
- WEBSITES: Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. This is a great site, you can access it through UQ library's home page via the catalogue data base by using the "Encyclopedia of Life Sciences" or just "ELS" as your search word(s). The information officer at Biomed library can help. It consists short articles with good explanatory diagrams on most neuroscience topics.
Additional costs
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
Personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Clean white laboratory coat, safety glasses and fully enclosed shoes. Students will not be permitted in the laboratory without these items. Each student must have their UQ Student Identification Card visibly displayed above the waist. While public health directions no longer require face masks to be worn, they are recommended when you cannot physically distance, you are a vulnerable person or caring for vulnerable people. Please note that cloth masks are not acceptable in laboratory classes in the School of Biomedical Sciences. PPE and identification card holders can be purchased from the School Locker. |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
All student activities
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 2 |
Lecture |
Mechanisms of Neurotransmission [Meunier]
|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Course/Overview [Noakes] Welcome to NEUR3001, course structure, assessment items and Descriptions of small group activities Journal Clubs - Sign of for these activities is via mySI-net by end of 1st week. |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Practical Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Immuno-staining, super resolution microscopy, 2D and 3D image reconstruction of synaptic connections. Individual presentations by students per research group of their data. Reading references - methods and appropriate research resources to be supplied by Practical leader and Invited Research specialists. Full details on the practical will be given by course coordinator in the 1st lecture of this course. |
Tutorial |
Journal Club Meet Various times Individual presentations by students of research papers to their Journal Club members, which includes their J club leader. Readings references - Journal articles provided by J Club leader. Journal feedback sheets to be completed by J Club members. Full details on Journal clubs will be given by course coordinator in the 1st lecture of this course. |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Synaptic Signaling [Noakes] 1 Molecular mechanisms of Synapse formation - chemical synapses - the neuromuscular synapse 2 Synaptic bioassays to test the function of synaptic signalling molecules - in vitro and in vivo 3 Synaptic adhesion molecules that organise and stabilize pre and postsynaptic specializations |
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 5 |
Lecture |
CNS Synapses [Anggono] 1. CNS synapses 1: Postsynaptic organisation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses 2. CNS synapses 2: Postsynaptic organisation of synapses along with major ionotropic receptors in those synapses. 3. CNS synapses 3:'Synaptic Plasticity as a Cellular Correlate of Learning and Memory – long term potentiation - optogenetics 4. CNS synapses 4: AMPA Receptor Trafficking |
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 6 |
Lecture |
Neurochemistry [Kakinen] 1. Neurochemistry 1: Basics of energy consumption of the CNS 2. Neurochemistry 2: Brain metabolism - e.g. - Roles of PryuvateDehydrogenase, Fatty acids, Vitamins & Minerals 3. Neurochemistry 3: The biochemistry of neurotransmission 4. Neurochemistry 4: The biochemistry of neurotransmission: source and receptors |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Muscle Sensory [Kroger] 1. Proprioception and muscle spindles – an introduction 2. Mechanotransduction and muscle spindle function 3. Proprioception in diseased muscle |
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 9 |
Lecture |
Ion Channels [Bellingham] 1. Ion Channels 1: Fundamentals 2. Ion Channels 2: Core concepts, Volatage -gated Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ion channels 3. Ion Channels 3: Core concepts Part 2 4. Ion channels 4: Other types of ion channels |
Multiple weeks From Week 9 To Week 10 |
Lecture |
Molecular Aspects of Neural Circuits [Millard] 1. Neural Circuits-1: Sperry's chemoaffinity hypothesis and molecular recognition in the nervous system 2. Molecular Aspects of Neural Circuits-2: Topographic mapping in the retinal-tectal system 3. Molecular Aspects of Neural Circuits-3: Adhesive cues that contribute to neural circuit formation 4. Molecular Aspects of Neural Circuits-4: Repulsive cues that contribute to neural circuit formation |
Multiple weeks From Week 12 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Cell & Molecular Basis of Alzheimer's [Coulson] 1. Cell and Molecular Basis of Alzheimer's Disease 1: What is Alzheimer's disease? 2. Cell and Molecular Basis of Alzheimer's Disease - 2: how Alzheimer’s pathology (A beta) causes dysfunction of synaptic activity? 3. Cell and Molecular Basis of Alzheimer's Disease Lt 3: how Alzheimer’s pathology (A beta) causes dysfunction of synaptic activity? 4. Cell and Molecular Basis of Alzheimer's Disease Lt 4: Cholinergic Receptors and their interactions with A-beta |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Tutorial |
Revision Tutorial [Millard, Bellingham, Noakes, Coulson] Revision tutorial in preparation for In-Semester Exam. |
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 - 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: