Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit deals with the development and mature organisation of the nervous system in a wide range of animals. The unit examines the complex wiring of the brain and how this organisation relates to an animal's behaviour, ecology and environmental needs. As examples, the unit includes studies of deep-sea fish and those birds and mammals which span the aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Animals with highly specialised senses, such as owls, are also considered. The unit provides a unique perspective of neuroscience—students gain a non-human centric view of the central nervous system and acquire a better understanding and appreciation for brain variation and adaptation across the animal kingdom. The laboratory classes provide practical experience in the examination of the nervous system and instruction in methodology and experimental design.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand neurobiological principles in a range of animal species; (2) learn to present, analyse and interpret original data collected in the laboratory; (3) engage with conventions of scientific publications; and (4) analyse and present large and complex datasets using R.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) online quizzes; (2) manuscript assignment; and (3) experimental design and data analysis tasks. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger and Associate Professor Jan Hemmi
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion of
or Enrolment inone level 2 Unit(s) BIOL2xxxEnrolment in
or PHYL2xxx
or ANHB2xxx
or ANIM2xxx
or PSYC2xxx71520 Master of Biomedical Science - Advisable prior study
- any Level 1 CHEM unit
or WACE Chemistry
or TEE Chemistry
- Contact hours
- lectures: 1 hour per week
labs: 3 hours per week for 8 weeks - Note
- This unit involves dissection of postmortem animal material under strict ethical guidelines
- Recommended
reading -
Bear, M. F. et al. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain: Williams & Wilkins 1996
Foster, R. G. and Kreitzman, L. Rhythms of Life: the Biological Clocks that Control the Daily Lives of Every Living Thing: Profile Books Ltd 2005
Jacobson, M. Developmental Neurobiology: Plenum Press 1991
Purves, D. and Lichtman, J. Principles of Neural Development: Sinaeur Assoc. Inc. 1985
Sanes, D. H. et al. Development of the Nervous System: Academic Press 2000
Land, M. F. and Nilsson, D. E. Animal Eyes: Oxford Animal Biology Series 2006
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.