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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Medical Neuroscience by Duke University

4.9
stars
3,071 ratings

About the Course

Medical Neuroscience explores the functional organization and neurophysiology of the human central nervous system, while providing a neurobiological framework for understanding human behavior. In this course, you will discover the organization of the neural systems in the brain and spinal cord that mediate sensation, motivate bodily action, and integrate sensorimotor signals with memory, emotion and related faculties of cognition. The overall goal of this course is to provide the foundation for understanding the impairments of sensation, action and cognition that accompany injury, disease or dysfunction in the central nervous system. The course will build upon knowledge acquired through prior studies of cell and molecular biology, general physiology and human anatomy, as we focus primarily on the central nervous system. This online course is designed to include all of the core concepts in neurophysiology and clinical neuroanatomy that would be presented in most first-year neuroscience courses in schools of medicine. However, there are some topics (e.g., biological psychiatry) and several learning experiences (e.g., hands-on brain dissection) that we provide in the corresponding course offered in the Duke University School of Medicine on campus that we are not attempting to reproduce in Medical Neuroscience online. Nevertheless, our aim is to faithfully present in scope and rigor a medical school caliber course experience. This course comprises six units of content organized into 12 weeks, with an additional week for a comprehensive final exam: - Unit 1 Neuroanatomy (weeks 1-2). This unit covers the surface anatomy of the human brain, its internal structure, and the overall organization of sensory and motor systems in the brainstem and spinal cord. - Unit 2 Neural signaling (weeks 3-4). This unit addresses the fundamental mechanisms of neuronal excitability, signal generation and propagation, synaptic transmission, post synaptic mechanisms of signal integration, and neural plasticity. - Unit 3 Sensory systems (weeks 5-7). Here, you will learn the overall organization and function of the sensory systems that contribute to our sense of self relative to the world around us: somatic sensory systems, proprioception, vision, audition, and balance senses. - Unit 4 Motor systems (weeks 8-9). In this unit, we will examine the organization and function of the brain and spinal mechanisms that govern bodily movement. - Unit 5 Brain Development (week 10). Next, we turn our attention to the neurobiological mechanisms for building the nervous system in embryonic development and in early postnatal life; we will also consider how the brain changes across the lifespan. - Unit 6 Cognition (weeks 11-12). The course concludes with a survey of the association systems of the cerebral hemispheres, with an emphasis on cortical networks that integrate perception, memory and emotion in organizing behavior and planning for the future; we will also consider brain systems for maintaining homeostasis and regulating brain state....

Top reviews

SA

Nov 16, 2017

I found this course extremely useful. It was exactly what I needed and expected. A structured study of the brain and the spinal chord starting at the cellular level. A perfect course!

AS

Feb 18, 2021

Superb lectures and very comprehensive material.Too much detail.Exams are too difficult. Questions should have 4 or at most 5 answer choices and should focus more on overall concepts.

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701 - 725 of 914 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Mel N

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Nov 4, 2016

Excellent ! love it ! keep it up !

By Danna S S C

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Jun 7, 2025

muy buen curso, aprendí demasiado

By Francisco J M T

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Jul 11, 2019

Excellent update on Neuroscience.

By fatemeh h

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May 24, 2018

i love this course very very much

By Neshat A

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Jun 13, 2017

It was very useful course for me.

By Kanika G

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Feb 19, 2017

Very informative and explanatory.

By Vito

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Oct 30, 2016

很棒的课程，就是术语有些多，特别是解剖部分，英语不好刚开始有点吃力

By Karbino G

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Dec 3, 2023

Yay, such amazing Dr. Len White.

By Dr.M.Salman A K

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May 16, 2021

Excellent resource. Recommended.

By Vasseur

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Oct 19, 2020

The MooC is simply exceptional !

By Sandhya C

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Oct 24, 2017

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By Ahmed A

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Oct 10, 2017

Very beneficial course

Thank you

By DR.SANTOSH K P

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Jul 20, 2017

very informative and fascinating

By Anindya T

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Jul 11, 2017

An excellent course for anybody.

By Jean-Luc G

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Jul 6, 2017

Exceptionally excellent quality,

By Laura M C L

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Oct 7, 2016

The best course of neuroscience.

By Mahmoud A

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Oct 12, 2021

Thanks for Medical Neuroscience

By Vicky M

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Sep 22, 2020

Great course! Amazing professor

By lakhinder

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Oct 19, 2019

Incredible learning experience!

By Samuel S

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Oct 1, 2016

Challenging course worth 5stars

By AIKINS O S

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Mar 13, 2025

The course was very insightful

By Daniela C

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Mar 24, 2020

Curso maravilhoso! Desafiador!

By Arnab M

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Nov 3, 2019

Thorough, in-depth, conceptual

By Guzel R

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Aug 30, 2018

It's the best free course ever