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Overview

Course Prescription

The impact of neuroscience revolution on our understanding of human physiology and biomedical research is reviewed. Topics include: mechanisms of neurotransmission, learning, memory, sensory perception (vision, hearing, touch and smell) and application of gene therapy for treating neurological diseases. Special emphasis is placed on the integration and control of physiological function by the nervous system. Examples include control of movement and coordination, regulation of reproduction, blood pressure, breathing, appetite, body weight and sexuality. Developmental neuroscience is also considered. Laboratory exercises provide insight into neural structure and function and include application of neuroimaging technologies.

Course Overview

Medsci 206 is a core stage II Physiology course that further develops the understanding of Neuroscience.

Physiology is a quantitative experimental science. It involves asking questions, designing and conducting experiments, analysing problems and interpreting experimental data. Acquisition of theoretical and experimental proficiency in the course are both important. Experimental practice, interpretation of experimental results and laboratory report writing are taught in the practical classes which align closely with the theoretical knowledge presented in lectures. The majority of the laboratory sessions require student participation as a test subjects, making the labs particularly engaging. 

Course Contacts

Course contact email: medsci206@auckland.ac.nz 

Professor Johanna Montgomery

Course Director,

Department of Physiology, FMHS, Grafton

Email: jm.montgomery@auckland.ac.nz

Dr. Nishani Lim

Course Coordinator

Department of Physiology, FMHS, Grafton

Email: n.dayaratne@auckland.ac.nz

Dr. Sally Rutherford

Course Coordinator

Department of Physiology, FMHS, Grafton

Email: s.rutherford@auckland.ac.nz

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 6 hours of lectures, 3 hour laboratory session per fortnight which is 9 hours per fortnight in total.

6 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5+ hours (based on past student feedback) of work on lab assignments and/or test preparation per fortnight can be expected.

It is a conceptual course which requires a student to think, understand and then apply.

Hard work is definitely rewarded.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite

Advice on Course Limits

This is a limited entry course: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. In cases where the courses is taught under two separate codes (e.g. concurrently taught courses, general education courses) the course limit specified is the total across both versions of the course. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Grafton

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
Most lectures will be available as recordings for revision, however this is not meant to replace attendance. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in the course website located in the University’s learning platform CANVAS which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

The course guide material alone does not replace attending lectures and reading the textbook.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Additional Information on Academic integrity

Medsci 206 laboratories include practical group work in order to obtain raw data. The analysis, data presentation, and written components of the related assessments must be completed independently by each student, and adhere to the academic integrity standards set by the University of Auckland Student Academic Conduct Statute.

GenAI

We are currently reviewing our policy on GenAI use in assessments, and you will be informed about our expectations at the start of the semester. 

Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

To pass Medsci 206, you are required to pass both the written theory assessments and the practical assessments. This means:

1. Theory requirements: You need to obtain at least 35% out of 70% in the module tests + exam

2. Practical requirements: You need to

(a) Attend and actively participate in all laboratory practical sessions.

(b) Submit all practical assessments.

(c) Receive a minimum mark of 15% out of 30% in the laboratory component

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123456789

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Based on the SET feedback around the lab report assessments we have increased the weighting of this assessment to truly reflect the associated workload. We have also introduced a lab report writing workshop early in the course.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.