Overview

This unit introduces students to the discipline of clinical neuroscience. Students will study fundamental concepts in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with view to developing an understanding of key human brain structures, their role in behavior and reflexes and how damage and disease in these areas results in impairment.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain basic principles of functional human neuroanatomy and physiology as it relates to the nervous system
  • Identify major neuroanatomical structures and their functional significance to behaviour and reflexes
  • Describe the role of major neuroanatomical structures in pathological states
  • Describe the basic processes of injury and repair in the nervous system
  • Summarise current research issues and consider primary literature in the field of neuroscience
  • Execute relevant laboratory practices

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Readings		1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Lab		2.00 6 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various		7.00 12 weeks 84
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		1.50 12 weeks 18
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Final-Semester TestIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4 
Online QuizIndividual 25% 1,2,3,4 
Research PresentationGroup 25% 3,4,5,6 

Content

  • Gross neuroanatomical organisation
  • Neural basis of higher order cortical function and reflexes
  • Effect of disease and damage to differing neuroanatomical structures on behavior
  • Study of the human brain and spinal cord
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.