60007 Specialist Learning Subject
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
Neuroscience for Traditional Chinese Medicine: This subject provides an advanced understanding of the physiological basis of the nervous system and neuroanatomy, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the body. The nervous system is crucial for life and enables senses, movement and thinking.
This subject advances previous physiological subjects by providing an in-depth study of neuroscience relevant to Traditional Chinese Medicine. It covers physiology of excitable tissue and introductory neurochemistry; synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter systems; and anatomy and functions of the nervous system. The subject also provides an understanding of the chemical control of the brain and behaviour; sleep, emotion, and memory systems and learning; and disease states such as schizophrenia and mental illness, etc. The assessment has been designed to support an understanding and application of neurophysiology for Chinese Medicine, particularly in relation to acupuncture.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand the origin of neuroscience and discuss its various fields including molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioural neuroscience. |
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| 2. | Describe and explain major neuroanatomical components, their location inside the central nervous system, their primary functionality, and their relationship to other neuroanatomical components. |
| 3. | Explain the topics of, and relationships between, membrane potentials, synaptic transmission, and the control of the brain, behaviour, and movement and how this applies to treatment in Chinese Medicine. |
| 4. | Compare, evaluate, and explain the neuroscience of the body's sensory systems and the medical relevance and implications of these systems in the western science and TCM contexts. |
| 5. | Evaluate and discuss the rhythms of the brain, their measurement and practical/medical application, as well as their relationship to behavioural states. |
| 6. | Reflect on and discuss the underlying neuroscientific mechanisms of memory and learning, and it's relationship to the neuroscience of emotion |
| 7. | Explain different mental disorders, and relate their neurobiological basis to the neuroscience behind their treatment in the context of TCM. |
| 8. | Critically evaluate relevant neuroscience literature to develop relevant acupuncture treatment protocols based on neurophysiological parameters |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Explain how diseases arise and disrupt normal physiological function and appraise the technologies used to diagnose, treat, and cure diseases. (1.1)
- Collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from data to solve real-world medical problems, and infer how the results of medical research can be translated to improve patient outcomes. (2.1)
- Evaluate ethical, social, and cultural issues in medical science in local and global contexts and work responsibly, safely and with respect to diversity and regulatory frameworks. (3.1)
- Reflect upon, independently evaluate, and critically appraise current evidence-based literature to identify medical problems or unmet medical needs and creatively translate medical research results to improve the clinical care of patients. (4.1)
- Effectively communicate medical science knowledge and research information, and the importance thereof, to a range of audiences using a variety of modes, independently and collaboratively. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The specialist learning subject Neuroscience for TCM is a replacement (for 91706 Neuroscience), Stage 5,core subject in the Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine degree. It builds upon and advances the knowledge gained in previous subjects such as Physiological Systems.
The Faculty of Science lists six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. Neuroscience for TCM is intended to develop each of the following attributes:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
a) An understanding of the origins of Neuroscience; nervous system anatomy and function; neural communication and control; brain activity and disruption; the physiology and function of the sensory systems; mental illness; neural/spinal control of movement; memory and learning; emotion; and motivation, facilitated by pre-recorded lectures.
These concepts and associated content are assessed through online quizzes and written assessment tasks.
2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking
a) Your critical thinking and reasoning skills will be encouraged and facilitated by engagement with the learning materials and assessment where you will be required to critically think about the content and demonstrate how that information can be applied in clinical situations.
b) You will need to engage with research and critical readings to assess the relevance and value of scientific evidence. You will be using the practical applications e.g. electro acupuncture in associated clinical subjects and integrate that learning into assignments in this subject.
c) Assessments will also require you to think outside of the box and determine how neurophysiological parameters affect health and disease treatment from a Chinese medicine perspective.
3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility
a) You will be required to engage with online lectures and undertake further self-directed research to review and expand your understanding of the subject concepts. This will help you develop self-discipline and self-directed learning skills to promote your lifelong learning.
b) Your professional capabilities are developed as you apply your knowledge in the clinical setting and integrate that learning back into your assessments. Time management is required to ensure relevant clinical applications are being undertaken in the internship clinic and then integrated back into assignments for this subject.
c) The ability to gather, critically evaluate and efficiently utilise information from sources such as databases, research and review articles, textbooks, catalogues and technical reference books are all important research skills that will develop through literature based searches and research for the application of knowledge in the clinical setting.
d) Ethical and professional conduct is learned through the practical application of knowledge from this subject into treatment protocols in the 4th year internship clinic. You will need to demonstrate appropriate understanding an application of techniques such as electro acupuncture and ensure that you follow all require protocols such as informed consent, explanation of treatment parameters etc. Your competency in these areas will be assessed in clinics as a pass/fail competency.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
a) The application of knowledge from this subject in a clinical setting will foster your ability to think in an independent and critical manner as you contextualise your treatment activities to your clinical context and then write up your findings in assessment reports for this subject.
b) Your lectures and learning activities will teach you about the clinical and physiological relevance of neuroscience, as well as several societal issues including mental illness and substance abuse. Your understanding of these topics and their impact will be assessed in online quizzes and written assessments.
5. Communication
a) Your clinical communication skills will be developed in this subject. Through assessment tasks, you will show evidence of the development of appropriate patient information and consent processes particularly as they relate to the application of treatments that are medicated through the nervous system. These will also be tested practically in your internship clinical competencies where your patient interaction will be observed by assessors.
Written communication will be assessed through your submission of academic tasks.
b) Critical discussion of literature relevant to your assessment topics and related written tasks will test your written communication skills. They will also help you develop effective and efficient reading skills to accurately paraphrase and detail the research of others; particularly in translating that information into lay terms for patients. Additionally, the reading of subject material is essential for understanding course content and will be particularly important in preparation for assessment.
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will learn via pre-recorded lectures, practical application of knowledge in the 4th year clinical internship and self-directed learning.
Pre-recorded online lectures:
Pre-recorded online lectures have been scheduled in a weekly format (1 hour of each). However the course is self paced and taught in block mode so students can progress through the recording and related quizzes at their own pace. It is recommended that you work through the materials at regular intervals to get the most from each topic as they build on each other.
The corresponding lectures slides for the lecture, including any associated electronic material or links, are uploaded to Canvas and you should read these prior to watching the pre-recorded lectures; this is very important for you to be able to develop your lifelong learning skills.
While the lecture content is linked to your text book, you will be not be able to learn the breadth, depth and content of this subject by simply reading the textbook. Thus watching and making notes from the pre-recorded lectures will be crucial to developing a full understanding of the subject content, learning the key clinical applications and undertaking assessment quizzes.
Practical applications:
The knowledge and skills you learn in this subject will be frames in a clinical context. You will be required to apply this knowledge to the treatment of your patients in the 4th year internship clinics and then report back through assessment tasks. You will also be marked for your competency in the application of relevant techniques in the clinic. You will have the opportunity to discuss and consider your treatment applications in the clinical setting and receive feedback from supervisors.
Scheduled meetings:
This subject is primarily designed for self-directed learning. Class meeting will be run if and when required.
Content (topics)
What will you learn?
The aim of this subject is to provide an overview of the neuroscience; this information will be provided to reinforce and further prior study of human physiology.
The following areas form the learning goals and objectives for neuroscience:
1. Introduction to Neuroscience, and the Nervous System
Origins of neuroscience, Nervous system cells/structures and organisation, Neuron classification, etc.
2. Membrane Potentials
Axon and dendrite structure, Resting neuronal membrane, Ionic basis of the resting membrane potential, The action potential
3. Synaptic transmission
Types of synapses, Principles of chemical synaptic transmission, Principles of synaptic integration
4. Neurotransmitter systems
Neurotransmitter systems and chemistry, Transmitter-gated channels, G-protein coupled receptors and effectors, Divergence and convergence in neurotransmitter systems
5. Somatic sensory system
Touch, Pain, Temperature
6. Brain rhythms/epilepsy
The electroencephalogram and brain waves, Mechanisms and meanings of brain rhythms, Epilepsy and seizures
7. Central Visual System
Retinofugal projection, The function of the lateral geniculate nucleus and striate cortex
8. Chemical control of brain and behaviour
The secretory hypothalamus, The autonomic nervous system, Diffuse modulatory systems of the brain, Drugs and the diffuse modulatory systems
9. Mental illness
Mental illness and the brain, The neuroscience behind Anxiety and Affective disorders and their treatments
10. Schizophrenia
The biological bases and theories of Schizophrenia, Treatment options
11. Memory systems and Learning
Memory systems, Types of memory and neural correlates, Amnesia, The search for the engram, Molecular mechanisms of memory and learning, Procedural learning, Invertebrate and vertebrate models of learning
12. Sleep and dreams
Functional state of the brain, Sleep cycle, Reasons for and functions of sleep and dreaming, Neural mechanisms of sleep, Circadian rhythms
13. Spinal control of movement
The somatic motor system, Lower motor neurons, Excitation-contraction coupling, Spinal control of motor units
14. Brain control of movement
Descending spinal tracts, Planning of movement by the cerebral cortex, The basal ganglia, Initiation of movement by the primary motor cortex, The cerebellum
15. Auditory and Vestibular Systems
Principles of Sound, The auditory system, The Inner ear, Sound encoding and localisation, The auditory cortex, The vestibular system
16. Emotion
What is emotion? Theories of emotion and associated brain circuits, The limbic system, The amygdale.
17. Parkinson Disease
Learning about Parkinson Disease
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Variable for the interactive video modules and linked quiz type questions to be self-attempted |
| Criteria: | Demonstrate understanding of neuroanatomy via the online anatomy practical exam and online quizzes. |
Assessment task 2: Assignment
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | written report - no limits |
| Criteria: | Marking rubrics will be provided with the assessment task. |
Assessment task 3: Assignment 2
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge. 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication
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|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | written report - no limits |
| Criteria: | A marking rubric will be provided for the assessment task. Competency assessment in the clinic will be unertaken using the CP2 competency assessment sheets and processes as advised through the clinical subjects. No separate assessment is required for this component. |
Minimum requirements
You must obtain an overall mark of 50 or greater to pass the subject.
Recommended texts
Bear, Connors, Paradiso. Neuroscience. Exploring the brain. 3rd ed. 2007, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
(4th edition may also be available)
Other resources
- Castro et al., Neuroscience an outline approach, 2002, Mosby.
- Porth, Essentials of Pathophysology, 2007, 2nd ed, LWW
- Purves et al., Neuroscience, 4th ed. 2008, Sinauer Associates, Inc.