516-208 Structure and Function of the Brain

Note

Only available to Bachelor of Optometry students.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Available to Bachelor of Optometry students only

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of the subject the student should:

• comprehend the terminology of neuroscience, the principles and essential information regarding the macroscopic and microscopic structure of the nervous system and the functional components of the nervous system including their organisation and major connections, the correlation of structure with function including behaviour, the major effects of lesions to clinically important areas and pathways;
• develop observational and organisational skills to identify and interpret the macroscopic appearance of the brain and spinal cord including cut sections, and the microscopic appearance of the nervous system, skills to analyse the structural and functional changes which occur in disorders of the nervous system;
• appreciate the extent and limitations of current knowledge of the organisation of the central nervous system, particularly in the context of recent profound advances in neuroscience, the implications of such limitations in our understanding of how the brain works.

The following topics are considered:

The structure and function of the primate nervous system with emphasis on the main sensory systems (including vision, hearing and touch) and the motor systems. Dissection and histological examination of human and macaque brains.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination and 1-hour practical examination during the semester.

Prescribed Texts

• Kandel Schwartz and Jessell, Principles of Neural Science.
• Nolte J, Angerine JB, The Human Brain in Photographs and Diagrams.