This course will provide an advanced level of understanding of current concepts in cellular, molecular and systems neuroscience. The course involves online lectures, journal club presentations and discussions. Students will be expected to engage in significant self-directed learning and background research of original neuroscience literature, and become familiar with the broad range of techniques used in neuroscience.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Content-specific and process-specific goals will be achieved by a combination of online lectures, journal-clubs, discussions and a significant component of self-directed learning and research.
2. On satisfying the requirements for this course, students will demonstrate an advanced conceptual understanding of the current knowledge and techniques of cellular, molecular and systems neuroscience. They will have developed enhanced scientific processing and research skills in experimental design, interpretation and critical analysis of primary neuroscience literature, as well as information literacy, oral and written communication.

Research-Led Teaching

This course discusses current concepts in cellular, systems and clinical neuroscience, and is based on research-led teaching. Students will develop a deeper understanding of recent research papers in the field of neuroscience through critical evaluation of the literature. Lecturers are teaching in their fields of research expertise and will use many examples from recent research undertaken both at ANU and elsewhere. 

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Topics 1-3 released
2	Topics 1-3; initial course meeting (date TBD)
3	Topics 1-3	Annotated bibliography (Topics 1, 2 or 3) due
4	Topics 4-6 released
5	Topics 4-6
6	Topics 4-6	News and Views article due; Annotated bibliography (Topics 4, 5 or 6) due
7	Topics 7-10 released
8	Topics 7-10
9	Topics 7-10	Journal club presentation (date TBD)
10	Topics 7-10	Annotated bibliography (Topics 7, 8, 9 or 10) due
11
12		Literature review due; short quizzes due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Annotated bibliography (Topics 1, 2 or 3)	10 %	09/03/2023	28/04/2023	1,2
News and Views article	20 %	27/03/2023	18/04/2023	1,2
Annotated bibliography (Topics 4, 5 or 6)	10 %	30/03/2023	20/04/2023	1,2
Journal club presentation	10 %	01/05/2023	22/05/2023	1,2
Annotated bibliography (Topics 7, 8, 9 or 10)	10 %	11/05/2023	01/06/2023	1,2
Literature review	30 %	22/05/2023	23/06/2023	1,2
Short quizzes	10 %	22/05/2023	23/06/2023	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Annotated bibliography (Topics 1, 2 or 3)

Complete an annotated bibliography on one of the topics 1, 2 or 3. Guidelines and marking rubrics are provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

News and Views article

A short News and Views article on a paper related to one of the topics. The paper must not be one of those provided as background material, but independently found by you. The paper must not have a previous published News and Views article or opinion piece. Guidelines and marking rubrics are provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Annotated bibliography (Topics 4, 5 or 6)

Complete an annotated bibliography on one of the topics 4, 5 or 6. Guidelines and marking rubrics are provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Journal club presentation

A 30 minute journal club presentation, not including up to 15 minutes for questions. The paper must be selected from the journal club presentation folder on Wattle. You must email the convenor your choice, as two students are not allowed to present the same paper, and each paper will be given in a 'first in, first served' manner. The presentations will be given in week 9 (exact time to be decided closer to the date).

Assessment Task 5

Annotated bibliography (Topics 7, 8, 9 or 10)

Complete an annotated bibliography on one of the topics 7, 8, 9 or 10. Guidelines and marking rubrics are provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 6

Literature review

A 3000 word, critical literature review related to a question raised by one of the topics. Guidelines and marking rubrics are provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 7

Short quizzes

Ten short quizzes, one for each section, each worth 1%. We strongly recommend you perform these quizzes after completing the background reading for each section, and answer them in a timely fashion, though strictly speaking, this assessment is due towards the end of semester. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students