This course will teach how to understand the behaviours of complex functional systems in terms of their components, using as an example the problem of relating psychology to physiology for the human brain.Students will learn how to approach understanding of complex functional systems by means of descriptions on many different levels of detail which can be mapped into each other. This is one of the basic skills needed to understand, design and modify complex functional systems. The course will be relevant to students interested in designing or maintaining complex functional systems. Using the human brain as the example will make the course relevant to students interested in research on the mammal brain, and students interested in medical studies of the human brain.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
By the end of this course you should be able to:
- Describe the primary information processing functions of major anatomical and physiological structures in the brain.
- Explain the operation of a range of cognitive processes on several different but consistent levels of detail from psychology to physiology.
- Explain how different levels of the same phenomenon at different levels of detail.
- Identify ways in which cognitive processes can be understood in terms of physiological and anatomical mechanisms.
- Identify what is lacking in an explanation of a behaviour of a complex system.
Indicative Assessment
Assignments (30%); Exam (70%)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A System Architecture Approach to the Brain: from Neurons to Consciousness by L. Andrew Coward
Majors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1650 | |
| 2014 | $2952 | |
| 2013 | $2946 | |
| 2012 | $2946 | |
| 2011 | $2946 | |
| 2010 | $2916 | |
| 2009 | $2850 | |
| 2008 | $2592 | |
| 2007 | $2298 | |
| 2006 | $2190 | |
| 2005 | $2190 | |
| 2004 | $2190 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3234 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3426 |
| 2008 | $3426 |
| 2007 | $3426 |
| 2006 | $3426 |
| 2005 | $3288 |
| 2004 | $3234 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3612 | 16 Feb 2015 | 06 Mar 2015 | 31 Mar 2015 | 29 May 2015 | In Person | N/A |