Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Biomedical Sciences School
Lectures & seminars illustrating how brain systems work in an integrated fashion to extract high level sensory information, plan & control movement, form memories, cope with emotional & physical stress, & adapt to drugs of addiction.
This course is composed of several major themes that focus on how systems in the brain work together to extract high-level sensory information, plan and control movement, lay down memories, and the central mechanisms that give rise to and cope with cognition, emotion,ﾠtrauma, andﾠdisease.ﾠ The course builds on previous cellular and systems physiology and neuroscience knowledge to develop a high-level conception of how systems of neurons work together to respond to changes in the organism, from animals to humans. In addition to lectures on these themes, students will learn in detail about a particular brain system by critically analysing and presenting primary scientific literature in a group seminar setting.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Reasonable knowledge (commensurate with learning objectives in prerequisite courses) of how groups of cells communicate in the central and peripheral nervous system and how these cells can form functional systems. It is also expected that students will be familiar with the basic properties of neurons and basic central nervous system anatomy.
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 + BIOM2012
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
Professor Stefan Thor
Guest lecturer
Professor Gerhard Rammes
Tutor
Dr Liviu Bodea
Dr Dylan Black
Dr Cecilia Gomez Inclan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course is composed of ten major themes that focus on how systems in the brain work together to extract high level sensory information, to plan and control movement or lay down memories, and the central mechanisms that give rise to and cope with, stress, emotion, mood, injury, homeostasis and addiction.
This integrated approach is designed to address some of the areas not previously covered in the undergraduate curriculum, to allow for individual active learning in an area of the student's choice and to leave the student with the view that an individual is more than the sum of their channels, circuits and systems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Draw together the neuroscience streams encountered by the student in previous undergraduate disciplines.
LO2.
Provide an integrated view of how neural systems interact to achieve a goal directed outcome.
LO3.
Make an in-depth analysis of the published scientific literature.
LO4.
Make an oral and visual presentation of scientific results using appropriate information and communication techniques.
LO5.
Justify a scientific position based on literature research and scientific knowledge.
LO6.
Describe the anatomy and cell types which mediate the immune response in brain tissue and the role of this response in brain degeneration and inflammation.
LO7.
Describe the functional anatomy of the cortex, cortical microcircuits, motor circuits which control movement, the mirror neuron system, and the scientific basis for this knowledge.
LO8.
Describe the key features of the epileptic state, what can cause epilepsy and how the brain adapts to this state; describe the brain circuits involved in epilepsy, and how knowledge of epilepsy-induced changes in brain state can guide treatment for epilepsy.
LO9.
Describe how the brain responds to injury at a cellular and molecular level, develop a broad understanding of the hurdles and challenges that need to be overcome for brain repair and provide a critical and informed judgement on the value and importance of findings from experimental research in the area of neurotrauma.
LO10.
Describe how the nervous system processes somatosensory inputs.
LO11.
Describe the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the brain regions involved in giving rise to consciousness and our sense of self.
LO12.
Describe the neurobiology of psychosis in humans and animal models.
LO13.
Describe the principles of brain connectivity, including axonal development, pathfinding, large scale study of the whole brain connectome in animals and humans, and neurological conditions that arise from defects in connectivity.
LO14.
Describe how the brain processes visual inputs.
LO15.
Describe the brain systems and neurotransmitters involved in central regulation of mood and mood disorders.
LO16.
Describe how the nervous system generates periodic phenomena and how these central timekeepers regulate body functions.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
26% |
In-semester Saturday 31/08/2024 - 14/09/2024 |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Journal Club Participation
|
10% Pass/Fail (To achieve 10%, you must satisfactorily complete and submit the required number of feedback sheets (see below for details) |
31 July 23 - 27 Oct 23 |
| Presentation |
Journal Club Oral Presentation
|
18% |
31 July 23 - 27 Oct 23 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
46% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 26%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
31/08/2024 - 14/09/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L06, L07, L08, L10
Task description
- The in-semester examination will be scheduled by central exams and will cover the content of the lectures in Weeks 1, to 5.
- 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, and practice opportunities will be available throughout the semester.
- Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
- Further details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
- 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 | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| 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.
Journal Club Participation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10% Pass/Fail (To achieve 10%, you must satisfactorily complete and submit the required number of feedback sheets (see below for details)
- Due date
31 July 23 - 27 Oct 23
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
- Active participation is required in journal club discussions. To assess participation, students will complete a feedback form for the topic paper discussed in each journal club session (unless they are presenting in that session). All students should be prepared to contribute to the discussion of other students' presentations.
- This is a pass/fail assessment. Students may be absent for two of the scheduled journal club sessions and still be eligible for full marks. Students who are absent to more than two sessions will receive zero marks. Students who are at risk of missing three or more sessions, please contact your tutor to discuss available options.
- You must complete a feedback sheet prior to each Journal Club Presentation and submit it to your journal club leader via email. You will earn 10% toward your course grade if you complete and submit the required number of feedback sheets for your journal club. If you complete and submit fewer than the required number of feedback sheets for your journal club you will not receive this 10%.
- The required number of feedback sheets may vary between journal clubs and is calculated as (number of presentation sessions – 1 (your presentation session) – 2 (allowable non-participation sessions)).
- Further details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
- This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Feedback sheets should be submitted directly to the journal club leader via email for assessment. Each feedback sheet should be submitted prior to the presentation session.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Journal Club Oral Presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
31 July 23 - 27 Oct 23
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
- Each student will be assigned to a journal club, which will meet regularly. In these clubs, students will be asked to give an oral presentation on a topic paper to the remainder of the group. All students presenting will be marked by your journal club leader - criteria marking sheets used for marking will be supplied. The date of your presentation will be determined by negotiation with the journal club leader.
- Oral Presentation 18%: All oral presentation marks will be moderated by the NEUR3002 course coordinator, to ensure equitable marking across all journal clubs. You will receive your oral presentation and journal participation mark after the moderation process, and prior to the end of semester examination.
- Further details of the assessment format and marking criteria will be provided on Blackboard during the semester.
- This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
End of Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 46%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L09, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16
Task description
- Short Answer and MCQ Questions on course materials in weeks 6-13 of the semester.
- 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, and practice opportunities will be available throughout the semester.
- Have your UQ student ID card available for all your 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 | No calculators permitted |
| 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%. |
| 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%. |
| 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%. |
| 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%. |
| 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%. |
Additional course grading information
ﾠNo assessment items are compulsory. A mark of zero will be recorded if an assessment item is not submitted. Penalties apply for late submission unless there is an approved extension date.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
School of Biomedical Sciences Assessment Guidelines
- Assessment due dates and times listed are Brisbane local (AEST) time.ﾠ
- Oral Presentations are not eligible for requests for re-mark because the assessment cannot be replicated or duplicated.
- All assessment results will be available via the Blackboard site (learn.uq.edu.au) via My Grades.
- If you require further feedback on your performance in examinations, you can email the Student and Academic Administration Team at sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au
Information on applying for an assessment extension can be found on the Applying for an extension website.
Information on applying for a deferred exam can be found on the Deferring an exam website.
Information on assessment re-mark requests can be found on the Querying 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 Blackboard 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, and references to text books or web addresses.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Tutorial |
The Degenerating Brain journal club [Brian Key] Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L11 |
Multiple weeks |
Tutorial |
The Thinking and Acting Brain [Mark Bellingham] These will cover cortical function and control of movement by the nervous system Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L07 |
Tutorial |
The Psychotic Brain journal club [Thomas Burne] These journal clubs will investigate in depth the neurobiology of psychosis in humans and animal models, with an emphasis on schizophrenia and dysfunction of attentional and executive brain processes, by student presentations of relevant research papers followed by group discussion. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L12 |
|
Tutorial |
The Connected Brain journal club [Stefan Thor] These journal clubs will investigate in depth at how the brain connectome develops, is studied and is involved in neurological disorders, by student presentations of relevant research papers followed by group discussion. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L13 |
|
Tutorial |
The Epileptic Brain [Karin Borges] These will cover how and why the brain generates epilepsy Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L08 |
|
Tutorial |
The Injured Brain journal club [Jana Vukovic] These journal clubs will investigate in depth how the brain responds to injury, by student presentations of relevant research papers followed by group discussion. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L09 |
|
Tutorial |
The Periodic Brain [Oliver Rawashdeh] These will cover how and why the brain generates periodic phenomena Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L16 |
|
Tutorial |
The Immune Brain journal club [Peter Noakes] These journal clubs will investigate in depth immune systems in the brain, by student presentations of relevant research papers followed by group discussion. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Tutorial |
The Somatosensory Brain [Rodrigo Suarez] These will cover how the nervous system processed somatosensory inputs Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L10 |
|
Tutorial |
The Seeing Brain journal club [Ulrike Siebeck] These journal clubs will cover visual processing by the nervous system, by student presentations of relevant research papers followed by group discussion. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L14 |
|
Lecture |
Introduction to NEUR3002 [Mark Bellingham] Welcome to the course, course structure and assessment tasks |
|
Lecture |
Basic Brain Structures [Mark Bellingham] The who, what and where of the brain - ridiculously simple brain anatomy I Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
Basic Brain Structures [Mark Bellingham] The who, what and where of the brain - ridiculously simple brain anatomy II Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Lecture |
The Thinking and Acting Brain [Mark Bellingham] These lectures will describe the structure and function of the cortex, a brain area which is highly developed in man, and generates thoughts, memories, actions and other human attributes. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L07 |
|
Lecture |
The Thinking and Acting Brain [Mark Bellingham] These lectures will describe the structure and function of the motor cortex, a brain area that controls voluntary motor actions, and the subcortical systems that underlie motor control. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L07 |
|
Lecture |
The Thinking and Acting Brain [Mark Bellingham] This lecture will look at the mirror neuron system in primates and man and its involvement in learning, emotion, language and the theory of mind Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L07 |
|
Lecture |
The Immune Brain [Peter Noakes] These lectures will describe the neuroimmune systems in the brain and their role in healthy and diseased brains Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
|
Lecture |
The Immune Brain [Peter Noakes] These lectures will describe the neuroimmune systems in the brain and their role in healthy and diseased brains Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
|
Lecture |
The Immune Brain [Peter Noakes] These lectures will describe the neuroimmune systems in the brain and their role in healthy and diseased brains Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
|
Lecture |
The Somatosensory Brain [Rodrigo Suarez] This lecture will examine the ways that the brain processes somatosensory inputs in cortex and subcortical areas Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L10 |
|
Lecture |
The Somatosensory Brain [Rodrigo Suarez] This lecture will examine the ways that the brain processes somatosensory inputs in cortex and subcortical areas Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L10 |
|
Lecture |
The Epileptic Brain [Karin Borges] This lecture will cover why the brain suffers from epilepsy, mechanisms of epileptic seizures, and treatments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L08 |
|
Lecture |
The Epileptic Brain [Karin Borges] This lecture will cover why the brain suffers from epilepsy, the mechanisms of epileptic seizures, and treatments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L08 |
|
Lecture |
The Epileptic Brain [Karin Borges] This lecture will cover why the brain suffers from epilepsy, the mechanisms of epileptic seizures, and treatments. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L08 |
|
Lecture |
The Periodic Brain [Oliver Rawashdeh] The brain has its own timekeeping system. These lectures will explore how the brain generates periodic regulation of brain and body functions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L16 |
|
Lecture |
The Periodic Brain [Oliver Rawashdeh] The brain has its own timekeeping system. These lectures will explore how the brain generates periodic regulation of brain and body functions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L16 |
|
Lecture |
The Periodic Brain [Oliver Rawashdeh] The brain has its own timekeeping system. These lectures will explore how the brain generates periodic regulation of brain and body functions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L16 |
|
Lecture |
The Injured Brain [Jana Vukovic] This lecture will focus in more detail on cellular and molecular changes that occur in the CNS in response to injury and how they relate to failed or absent regeneration Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L09 |
|
Lecture |
The Injured Brain [Jana Vukovic] This lecture will provide an up-to-date overview on research dedicated to promoting functional recovery and repair of the injured central nervous system as well as the challenges that are associated with these goals Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L09 |
|
Lecture |
The Injured Brain [Jana Vukovic] These lectures will describe the effects of traumatic brain injury, including responses and research on repairing injured brain. The first lecture will focus on the etiology of CNS injury and provide an introduction into associated neuropathology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L09 |
|
Lecture |
The Seeing Brain [Ulrike Siebeck] Humans are visual creatures. These lectures will cover how vision occurs from the retina to cortical processing. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L14 |
|
Lecture |
The Seeing Brain [Ulrike Siebeck] Humans are visual creatures. These lectures will cover how vision occurs from the retina to cortical processing. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L14 |
|
Lecture |
The Seeing Brain [Ulrike Siebeck] Humans are visual creatures. These lectures will cover how vision occurs from the retina to cortical processing. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L14 |
|
Lecture |
The Psychotic Brain [Thomas Burne] These lectures will describe the neurobiology of psychotic states in humans and in preclinical animal models, with a focus on schizophrenia. The first lecture will review current understanding of the neurobiology of pyschosis Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L12 |
|
Lecture |
The Psychotic Brain [Thomas Burne] This lecture looks at attentional processing and executive function in healthy and psychotic states. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L12 |
|
Lecture |
The Psychotic Brain [Thomas Burne] This lecture covers preclinical animal models with relevance to Schizophrenia Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L12 |
|
Lecture |
The Moody Brain [Gerhard Rammes] How the brain modulates mood Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L15 |
|
Lecture |
The Moody Brain [Gerhard Rammes] How the brain modulates mood Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L15 |
|
Lecture |
The Moody Brain [Gerhard Rammes] How the brain modulates mood Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L15 |
|
Lecture |
The Connected Brain [Stefan Thor] How the brain regulates connections. Basic principles of neuronal connectivity. Axon/dendrite pathfinding, and methods for studying axon/dendrite projections. Molecular genetic pathways underlying axon/dendrite pathfinding. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L13 |
|
Lecture |
The Connected Brain [Stefan Thor] How the brain regulates connections.Large-scale efforts aimed at resolving the mouse and human connectome. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L13 |
|
Lecture |
The Connected Brain [Stefan Thor] How the brain regulates connections. How defects in connectivity may underlie a number of human neurological disorders. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L13 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
The Degenerating Brain [Brian Key] These lectures will cover the changes and mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L11 |
Lecture |
The Degenerating Brain [Brian Key] These lectures will cover the changes and mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L11 |
|
Lecture |
The Degenerating Brain [Brian Key] These lectures will cover the changes and mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L11 |
Additional learning activity information
All tutorials will start in week 2 of the semester unless your tutorial leader advises you otherwise.
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: