Major Overview

Description

How do we process the sensory stimuli we receive? How does the nervous system grow, develop and learn? How do medical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, deafness, dementia and depression afflict the brain and nervous system? Neuroscientists are interested in the answers to these questions and how nervous system function can be restored after disease and injury to the brain. You will be taught by academics with established international reputations in neuroscience research at all levels—from the molecules that make up individual nerve cells and that transfer information from one nerve cell to another, to the complexities of how behaviour, thought and emotions are produced.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. demonstrate a sound knowledge of basic cell and systems biology and biological chemistry and apply this knowledge to neural cells and systems
  2. recall and integrate key facts and concepts about the structure and function of the nervous systems of humans and other animals
  3. conduct some basic anatomical, cellular, physiological and behavioural investigations of nervous tissues and systems
  4. summarise the basic neuroscience underpinning common pathological conditions of the nervous systems
  5. work productively in small groups in a neuroscience laboratory environment
  6. research neuroscience literature and incorporate into a written report on a neuroscience subject
  7. explain and critically appraise recent neuroscience literature
  8. discuss some current issues in basic or applied neuroscience research and recognise the ongoing expansion of knowledge in these areas
  9. be aware of the positive contributions of neuroscience research to health and society; (10) be aware of the ethical implications of advances in neuroscience; and (11) apply high-level critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills required for employment and further studies related to neuroscience.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Suggested Minors to broaden you study area, are:
(1) MNR-ANSCI Anatomical Sciences
(2) MNR-ASTAT Applied Statistical Learning
(3) MNR- Behavioural data science
(4) MNR-BIOAN Biological Anthropology
(5) MNR-DATSC Data Science
(6) MNR-PAHLT Physical Activity and Health
(7) MNR-SCCOM Science Communication
(8) MNR-SCILT Science in Society
Suggested units to broaden your study area, are:
HMSC1000 Waking Up to Sleep
Prerequisites

Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics unit.

Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

Courses

Neuroscience can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 NEUR1001 Neuroscience in Society None
S1 PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain None
Degree-specific major units

Take units to the value of 12 points from ANHB1101, ANHB1102, BIOL1130, SCIE1106 or PHYL1001.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human None
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human None
S1 BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology None
S1 PHYL1001 Physiology - How your body works
Incompatibility
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Human Biology or equivalent
or ATAR Subject(s) Biology or equivalent
or ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or IMED1001 Form and Function
and Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
Bridging units

Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete
MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended).
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete
MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended). MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science)


Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S1, S2 SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Subject Mathematics Applications
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Methods
and Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (ID 5108)
or MATX1721 Mathematics Foundations

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of any two Unit(s)
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or IMED1001 Form and Function
or Enrolment in
71520 Master of Biomedical Science
S2 PHYL2002 Cellular Physiology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
PHYL1001 Physiology - How your body works
or IMED1001 Form and Function
or NEUR1001 Neuroscience in Society
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or Enrolment in
71520 Master of Biomedical Science
S1 PSYC2217 Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain
or Unit(s) PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context
Incompatibility
Unit(s) PSYC3317 Cognitive Neuroscience

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANIM3320 Comparative Neurobiology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
any Level 2 BIOL unit
or any Level 2 PHYL unit
or any Level 2 ANHB unit
or any Level 2 ANIM unit
or any Level 2 PSYC unit
and Successful completion of
48 points
and Successful completion of
MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods

or
Enrolment in
71520 Master of Biomedical Science
S2 NEUR3301 Advanced Neuroscience 1
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology
and Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
S2 NEUR3302 Advanced Neuroscience 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology
and Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Co-requisites
Nil NEUR3301 Advanced Neuroscience 1
S1 NEUR3310 Neuroscience
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
or Unit(s) PHYL2002 Cellular Physiology PHAR2220 Human Pharmacology or equivalent