Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Neurodevelopment - Origins and Outcomes

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus. 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2541

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Prof. Sarah J. Spencer & Dr Angela Cumberland

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: sarah.spencer@rmit.edu.au & angela.cumberland@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

It is recommended to have satisfactorily completed the following course/s before you commence this course:  

  • BIOL2538 Human Pathophysiology 1
  • BIOL2539 Human Pathophysiology 2 

Alternatively, if you have the equivalent skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   

Please contact your course coordinator for further details. 


Course Description

This is an interdisciplinary course with a focus on development of the nervous system and how this can be perturbed by lifestyle factors throughout life. You will gain insight into the cellular and molecular pathways that drive typical neurodevelopment as well as the mechanisms that cause the onset and progression of neurodevelopmental diseases. You will understand, interpret and apply research-based knowledge and design experiments to test hypotheses for a range of neurodevelopmental diseases.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:  

BP231 – Bachelor of Biomedical Science 

PLO 1 Apply a breadth and depth of biomedical science knowledge, concepts and evidence in various real-world settings using a scientific approach. 
PLO 2 Apply systematic thinking and a range of high-level analytical skills using a blend of digital and traditional tools and technologies to solve complex scientific and biomedical problems. 
PLO 4 Communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats employing integrity, inclusivity and culturally safe practices. 
PLO 5 Demonstrate critical reflection skills, responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice as part of a multidisciplinary team.  

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

1. Describe typical development of the nervous system from conception through to adulthood.

2. Explain how nervous system development is impacted by perinatal lifestyle factors.  

3. Convey how nervous system development is affected by lifestyle factors as the individual grows to adulthood and old age.    

4. Interpret, critically reflect on, and communicate scientific evidence related to neurodevelopment.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, project work, class discussion, individual activities. Delivery will be face to face, online or a mix of both.  

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturers and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through Pubmed, the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course.  


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through CANVAS.   

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.  


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment 1: Assignment  
Weighting 50% (Project pitch (video) 20%; Abstract & Poster 30%) 
This assessment task supports CLOs 4, (&1-3)  

Assessment 2: Workshop assignments
Weighting 20% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 4, (&1-3)  

Assessment 3: Online Test
Weighting 30% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1-3 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.