UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

PHY3111 Sensory and cognitive neuroscience

Faculty of Science

PHY3111 Sensory and cognitive neuroscience is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2022
Semester 1
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 40%
and 6 other tasks

This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before PHY3111

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After PHY3111

No unit lists PHY3111 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITES: PHY2011 plus either PHY2042 or PHY2032; or BMS1052 plus either BMS2031 or NUT2103 or BNS1072; or permission from the unit coordinator

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

This unit explores cutting-edge research in the area of brain function, specifically looking at sensation and higher brain function in humans. You will learn about the way the brain functions normally to analyse sensory information and to control behaviour, and how brain damage leads to clinical dysfunction of perception and higher cognitive function. You will also  investigate current research ideas on normal function and dysfunction in this area, as well as new methodologies.

Offerings in 2022

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • First on-line quizzOther
    2.5%
  • Mid-semester testIn class test
    20%
  • Second-on-line quizzOther
    2.5%
  • Research project (literature review)Project
    15%
  • Research project (poster presentation)Presentation
    15%
  • Group project (written report)Report
    5%
  • Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle
    40%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Describe how sensory information is signalled by neurons from peripheral receptor organs to the brain areas processing sensory input;

  2. 2

    Compare and contrast how neuroscience techniques help scientists understand the structure and function of the central nervous system;

  3. 3

    Explain how the control of actions and perceptions change according to the context of what sensory information is presented;

  4. 4

    Evaluate how damage to the nervous system might alter sensory functions and the associated behaviours;

  5. 5

    Work collaboratively to design and develop their own scientific research project;

  6. 6

    Critically evaluate the scientific literature, to test a hypothesis, construct a scientific report and demonstrate data analysis skills.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops13 hours
  • Lectures25 hours
  • Assessments3 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachResearch activities
  • Up to 6 hours of directed learning including online activities, lectures, workshops, research and data collection activities, and up to
  • 6 hours of self-directed independent study per week

Lectures (live and pre-recorded)

Practical workshops including online session

Research project including workshops (experiments, data collection) and poster presentation

Learning resources

Required resources

Textbook of Medical Physiology (Guyton and Hall) 12th or 13th edition

Sensation and Perception (Steven Yantis; Richard A. Abrams), Second Edition 2017.

 

Where it fits

PHY3111 is part of 1 area of study in the 2022 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Farshad Alizadeh Mansouri
Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Siew Chai

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PHY3111?

PHY3111 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is PHY3111 offered?

In 2022, PHY3111 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

Does PHY3111 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 6 other tasks.

Which majors and minors include PHY3111?

PHY3111 is part of Physiology.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available