In this course you will learn about the main neuronal systems involved in how animals interact with the environment. The course will cover the principal sensory and motor systems, focusing in particular on bridging the gap between molecular/cellular neuroscience and higher-level perception and behaviour. Topics to be covered include: anatomy, physiology and functions of the major senses, motor systems and the biological basis of behaviour. The course will also discuss the relevance of these neuronal systems to human diseases.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but will be assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate detailed and advanced knowledge of concepts in systems neuroscience and discuss recent advances in the field.
- Explain some of the current neuroscience technologies and show how these can be used to study systems neuroscience.
- Incorporate principles derived from different neuroscience systems to analyse how the individual components of the nervous system work together to communicate information in the brain.
- Discuss mechanisms involved in specific neurological diseases.
- Critically appraise and synthesise the published literature to develop and justify evidence-based conclusions on recent findings in the field of systems neuroscience.
- Acquire, evaluate and interpret experimental data relating to systems neuroscience.
Other Information
To enrol in this course students should request permission via the ANU permission code portal.
The final exam is a hurdle assessment. To pass this course students much achieve at least 45% in the final exam.
Indicative Assessment
- Multiple Choice Quiz (6) [LO 6]
- Laboratory Reports (24) [LO 5,6]
- Anotated Bibliography (10) [LO 1,5,6]
- Critical Review Essay (15) [LO 1,2,3,5,6]
- Final Exam (Hurdle) (45) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1-hour lectures per week (total 36 hours). 4 hours of practical sessions per week, 4 times throughout the semester.
- Approximately 78 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the John Curtin School of Medical Research to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Nil
Preliminary Reading
Neuroscience : exploring the brain (4th Edition). Bear, Connors and Paradiso. [2016].
From neuron to brain (5th Edition). Nicholls. [2012].
Principles of neural science (5th Edition). Kandel. [2013].
Assumed Knowledge
Students with tertiary knowledge equivalent to the courses listed above may seek permission to enrol through the permission code portal.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $8040 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9164 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |