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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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726 - 750 of 914 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Saleha Q

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Jun 9, 2016

Way to enjoy the neuroscience!

By Shan K

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Aug 4, 2023

Hard, but very knowledgeable.

By fabiola a p p

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Feb 14, 2021

It's very hard but great too.

By CABINET H A - C C

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Oct 14, 2020

Extremement riche et complexe

By Min M

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Feb 24, 2019

the best course I've ever had

By Annette H

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Nov 26, 2025

Very good course! Thank you!

By Hafsa S

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Nov 22, 2025

very good course and helpful

By Jared R

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Nov 1, 2023

Best course I've ever taken.

By Jim W

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Oct 6, 2022

Truely an excellent course!

By Issam B

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Jan 24, 2021

In one word : life changing.

By Keziah A B

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Jun 4, 2020

Very Interesting. Thank you.

By Ronei C

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Sep 12, 2018

Excelente, vale muito apena!

By ERIC

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Sep 1, 2016

very detailed and thoughtful

By vonette c

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Jul 25, 2020

Great course great lecturer

By Lenka M

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Mar 5, 2020

It is soooo helpful for me.

By Jodie T

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Jan 15, 2026

Excellent in-depth course.

By prem p

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Oct 18, 2024

Good Knowledge for Neurons

By Wagner S

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Dec 12, 2020

Great learning experience.

By Rafael U G

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Sep 3, 2019

Very didatic and complete.

By Anayo M

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Aug 5, 2025

Very inshightful learning

By Noëlle S

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Jul 27, 2024

Very fun and informative!

By Michael

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May 6, 2017

Challenging and worth it.

By Siju V

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Aug 6, 2016

i am loving it. Thank you

By Jani H

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Nov 20, 2023

Dr. White is phenomenal.

By Caio R G D

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Oct 31, 2020

Melhor curso possível!!!