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    Overview

    Structure and function of the mammalian brain, including brain circuits and how the biology of its cells can lead to degenerative changes.

    ANAT 335 is about the biology of brain disorders, particularly those that involve degenerative changes in structure. It has an integrated approach that is centred on the study of biological mechanisms but with an extension to encompass the emotional reality of living with a brain disorder. Lectures are used to explain the theoretical basis of neuroanatomical understanding of the brain and to highlight the inter-relationship between theory and observation. This aspect of the paper is extended through directed reading of scientific papers, with the laboratory sessions used to develop an understanding of the power and limitations of the techniques used to explore the brain.

    The human understanding of brain disorders is developed holistically: it begins in the lecture theatre, but with the main teaching being through small group sessions involving individuals with brain disorders and/or members of their support network talking with the class.

    About this paper

    Paper title Neurobiology
    Subject Anatomy
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,173.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    ANAT 242
    Schedule C
    Science
    Eligibility
    Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
    Contact

    Anatomy Office
    Room 231, 2nd Floor
    Lindo Ferguson Building (LFB)
    Tel 479 7362
    anat335.admin@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Paper Convenors: Associate Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie and Associate Professor Dorothy Oorschot

    Lecturers: Associate Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie

    Professor John Reynolds

    Associate Professor Dorothy Oorschot

    Associate Professor Beulah Leitch

    Paper Structure
    • Module 1: Motor pathway function in health and disease - Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie
    • Module 2: Basal Ganglia: Functional anatomy and learning - Professor John Reynolds
    • Module 3: Basal Ganglia: Normal circuitry, Cerebral palsy, ADHD, and schizophrenia - Professor Dorothy Oorschot
    • Module 4: Pathological mechanisms underlying Epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease: Recent insights and controversies - Associate Professor Beulah Leitch
    Teaching Arrangements
    All teaching is undertaken on campus.
    Textbooks
    For reference material, the third-year course relies less on textbooks and more on recent reviews and original papers. You will be referred to these by staff at the appropriate times. They can generally be found in the Medical and Science libraries, with many being available electronically through the University's e-journal collection. Some texts you have used at 200-level may still be useful.

    Basic information about the nervous system can be obtained from Kandel et al "Principles of Neural Science", copies of which are available in the library.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will:

    • Develop an understanding of the experimental basis of the current theories discussed in the course
    • Develop an understanding of the importance of experimental design in the acquisition of neurobiological knowledge
    • Develop an understanding of the critical inter-relationship of structure and function

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Moodle

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Wednesday 12:00-12:50 29-35, 37-42
    Thursday 12:00-12:50 29-35, 37-42

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Wednesday 14:00-15:50 29
    Wednesday 14:00-17:50 30, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41
    A2 Wednesday 14:00-17:50 31, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42
    Wednesday 16:00-17:50 29
    A3 Thursday 14:00-15:50 29
    Thursday 14:00-17:50 30, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41
    A4 Thursday 14:00-17:50 31, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42
    Thursday 16:00-17:50 29
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