Corequisite majors: Biochemistry or Cell & Molecular Biology or Human Biology or Psychology
Physiology is a key science underpinning health and disease: it is the study of functional life processes at all levels of biological organisation from the cellular and molecular to tissues and organs. The study of the most complex of these organs: the brain and nervous system occurs in the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience. This single organ controls body activities ranging from movement, to circulation and respiration, and to emotion, learning, and memory. The scientific study of physiology and neuroscience requires the skills of many different disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. The specialisation in Neuroscience and Physiology exposes students to the fields of cellular and systems neuroscience and physiology through a variety of courses. Introductory courses discuss fundamental physiological processes in both health and disease. Areas of study can include human physiology, cellular physiology, and cellular biochemistry. The cellular and system neuroscience courses build on and expand from the physiology courses to investigate the complexity of the nervous system. The specialisation is designed to provide knowledge and conceptual understanding in neuroscience and physiology. Students will gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience with modern techniques, and will have the opportunity to work in research labs, be involved in scientific discussions with current researchers and will develop their ability to critically evaluate and communicate recent advances within these disciplines.
Learning Outcomes
- Build on a foundational knowledge and key concepts of cellular and systems neuroscience and physiology to further their professional and research pursuits.
- Integrate approaches from various science disciplines to formulate a more global understanding of complex neuroscience and physiology phenomena.
- Apply practical skills and theoretical understanding to the methodological approaches that underpin neuroscience and physiology.
- Evaluate and critically analyse primary scientific literature to extend their knowledge in the field.
- Combine their information literacy, oral and written communication skills to convey/explain neuroscience and physiological concepts to both science and non-science literate audiences.
Other Information
What courses should you take in first year if interested in this specialisation?
This will depend on the pathway major:
- Biochemistry Major: CHEM1101, CHEM1201 and BIOL1004
- Cell and Molecular Biology Major: CHEM1101, CHEM1201, BIOL1003 and BIOL1004
- Human Biology Major: CHEM1101, CHEM1201, BIOL1003 and BIOL1004
- Psychology Major: PSYC1003 and PSYC1004
Additional advice:
- In conjunction with Psychology major: PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour is required to meet all pre-requisite requirements for the Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation.
- While a background in Biology or Chemistry is not required for the pathway through the Psychology major, students are encouraged to consider first year Biology or Chemistry courses where possible.
- For students considering MEDN2001: Knowledge of high school chemistry or equivalent is assumed, particularly water chemistry and solutions, concentration units, the nature of chemical bonds, stereochemistry and chirality of organic molecules, basic chemical structures of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and biophysical forces governing diffusion of charged and non-charged molecules. Students who have not completed chemistry in either year 12 or at university level should consider enrolling in the ANU Chemistry bridging course available prior to the start of the semester or delay their study of MEDN2001 until later in their academic program when they will likely be better prepared for the demands of this curriculum.
- For students taking BIOL3208 as part of this specialisation, the research project must be in the field of neuroscience or physiology.
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Health and Medicine Student Services Team (students.chm@anu.edu.au)
Back to the topRequirements
This specialisation may only be undertaken in conjunction with one of the following majors:
- Biochemistry
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Human Biology
- Psychology
This specialisation requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:
6 units from the completion of the following course:
BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)
A minimum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
MEDN2001 Health and Medical Physiology (6 units)
NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)
NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience (6 units)
A maximum of 6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
BIOL3203 Advanced Microscopy in Biosciences (6 units)
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)
MEDN3186 Human Anatomy (6 units)
PSYC3016 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)
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