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.

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
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
Degree-specific major units
Take units to the value of 12 points from ANHB1101, ANHB1102, BIOL1130 or SCIE1106:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
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
Unit(s) ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or
Unit(s) ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or
Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or
Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function ) and Successful completion of ( ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry )
Co-requisites:
Nil
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
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
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
( Mathematics Methods ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
equivalent )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus and MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods and STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics
S1, S2 SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Subject Mathematics Applications
or
Unit(s) MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (ID 5107)
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Methods and Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (ID 5108)

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 two Unit(s) ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or
Unit(s) ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or
Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or
Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function
or
Enrolment in 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 PSYC2217 Cognitive Neuroscience
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain
or
Unit(s) PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context
Co-requisites:
Nil
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 one level 2 Unit(s) BIOL2xxx
or
PHYL2xxx
or
ANHB2xxx
or
ANIM2xxx
or
PSYC2xxx
or
Enrolment in 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 NEUR3301 Advanced Neuroscience 1
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology and Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 NEUR3302 Advanced Neuroscience 2
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology and Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in One Unit(s) NEUR3301 Advanced Neuroscience 1
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 NEUR3310 Neuroscience
Prerequisites:
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or
PHYL2245 Physiology of Cells
or
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
or
PHAR2220 Human Pharmacology
or
equivalent units
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.