Sleep and circadian rhythms

Sleep and circadian rhythms are fundamental for the maintenance of general health, performance and mood. This unit will give you an understanding of the physiological processes that control sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as the consequences of their dysfunction for health and wellbeing. The unit will be comprised of lectures and tutorials. You will have the opportunity to attend tutorials over the course of the unit giving training in practical aspects of sleep and circadian research as well as practical help on the research poster assignments. The lectures will focus on both the functions of sleep and circadian rhythms and their neurobiological underpinnings in both health and disease states.

Topics that will be covered will include: sleep function and neurobiology, circadian function and neurobiology, impact of sleep and circadian dysfunction on mood and cognition, sleep and metabolism, sleep disorders, and sleep and circadian interventions for optimising health and safety. At the end of the unit, you are expected to have an understanding of core concepts in the fields of sleep and circadian rhythms. This unit will provide you with a solid foundation in sleep and circadian rhythms research, a growing strength in Australia.