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 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 5 other tasks
This is the 2026 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 2026 handbook.
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 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Bld blk |
Assessment
- QuizzesQuiz / Test5%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test20%
- Practical written reportWritten5%
- Research project (literature review)Written15%
- Final assessment - Exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination40%
- Research project (poster presentation)Presentation15%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe how sensory information is signalled by neurons from peripheral receptor organs to the brain areas processing sensory input;
- 2
Compare and contrast how neuroscience techniques help scientists understand the structure and function of the central nervous system;
- 3
Explain how the control of actions and perceptions change according to the context of what sensory information is presented;
- 4
Evaluate how damage to the nervous system might alter sensory functions and the associated behaviours;
- 5
Work collaboratively to design and develop their own scientific research project;
- 6
Critically evaluate the scientific literature, to test a hypothesis, construct a scientific report and demonstrate data analysis skills.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops13 hours
- Assessments3 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive 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
Practical workshops including online session
Lectures (live and pre-recorded)
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 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Siew Chai
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Farshad Alizadeh Mansouri
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PHY3111?
PHY3111 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is PHY3111 offered?
In 2026, PHY3111 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does PHY3111 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 5 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include PHY3111?
PHY3111 is part of Biomedical engineering and Physiology.