Behavioural neuroscience of movement and sensation (6 points)
(MED)
Leader: Professor Dexter Irvine
Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2004 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2005 (Day)
Synopsis:
Objectives: The primary objective of this unit is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the ways in which sensation and movement are controlled by the brain and in turn affect brain function and the behaviour of the organism. At the completion of the unit, students will understand 1. the principles of sensory transduction and coding, and how these can be applied to each of the main sensory systems 2. the way in which each sensory system responds to information and the role of sensory information in regulating behaviour 3. how damage to each sensory system can be assessed and the effects that different kinds of damage are likely to have on the behaviour of the organism 4. how various brain areas interact to control gross and fine motor movements 5. how movement-related information is transmitted to and from the various nervous system sites involved with motor control An additional objective is to promote the skills necessary to obtain, interpret and present scientific data using modern technologies in a group-focussed environment. To this end, students at the completion of the course will 7. have gained substantial guided experience working in a group situation to research a topic relevant to this general area of research 8. have improved their skills in modern information technologies and their understanding of the importance of such technologies in this scientific discipline
Assessment: Written theory examination (short answer and multiple choice questions, 2-hour): 50% + Tutorial assessment and short written laboratory exercises: 20% + Group project: 30%
Contact Hours: 6 contact hours + 6 additional hours per week
Prerequisites: BMS1011, BMS1052 or PHY2011 or equivalent by permission
Prohibitions: PSY3102
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