Overview

This unit presents students with an overview of contemporary research in neuroscience. Upon completion of this unit students will have experience in reading and critically appraising scientific research literature in the field of neuroscience. In addition, students, working in small teams, will undertake independent analysis of the research literature in an area of neuroscience of their choice and will write an academic review of this literature.

Requisites

Prerequisites
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
NEU20005 Sensation and Perception

Rules

Pre-requisite
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
AND
NEU20005 Sensation and Perception

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain what is meant by the term “neuroplasticity” and describe the molecular basis of synaptogenesis
  • Compare and contrast the subcellular mechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative diseases
  • Relate how neuroplasticity underlies learning and memory and examine how neuroplasticity can be exploited in rehabilitation
  • Source and critically appraise primary research reports (publications) in an area of advanced and topical neuroscience
  • Work within a team to evaluate and write a report on the current research outcomes in the area of neuroscience

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		2.00 11 weeks 22
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Seminar		1.00 2 weeks 2
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Other		1.00 4 weeks 4
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various		4.00 12 weeks 48
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Individual Study		5.17 12 weeks 62
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Major EssayGroup 50% 4,5 
Peer EvaluationIndividual 35% 1,2,3,4 
PresentationGroup 15% 1,2,3 

Content

  • Assigned reading from primary literature relevant to the molecular neuroscience, neuroplasticity neurorehabilitation, combined with critical appraisal, seminars and discussion on assigned reading
  • Instruction on strategies for maintaining and using reference data-bases, and database search strategies for advanced professional or research report writing in neuroscience
  • Academic writing skills workshop to develop professional and work ready writing skills; to integrate data from multiple sources into a coherent single report
  • Oral presentation of topics within the assigned reading
  • Major literature review on a topic in neuroscience of interest to both students and supervisor

Study resources

Reading materials

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