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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Medical Neuroscience by Duke University

4.9
stars
3,054 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!

RH

Aug 2, 2025

fantastically taught course. so well structured..thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and has motivated me to learn more in the field of neuroscience.Prof White is an excellent teacher.

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576 - 600 of 909 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Nimish S

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Aug 16, 2020

Great course offered by Dr. White and his team at Duke University.

By Mali M

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Sep 18, 2017

Love This. The best course in neuroscience. Many thanks Dr. white.

By Diego N

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Sep 13, 2020

Excelent! For Latin America, we need more traductions in spanish!

By Jeffrey M

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Jun 20, 2020

Challenging and well done. Thank you for the learning experience.

By Guillaume A

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Aug 8, 2017

Many such interesting things to learn ! Decidedly I love neuro ;)

By Anne M

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May 6, 2017

Incroyable cours, pédagogique, intéressant, le bon rythme! GENIAL

By ayşenur s

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Jan 27, 2024

it is a good class, I learned every thing about the human brain.

By Mohamed A S

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Aug 25, 2016

excellent course, but you need a very good basic on neuroscience

By Thomas F

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Aug 22, 2025

Amazing course. Well-structured. Really well-taught. Thank you!

By Martin E

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Aug 1, 2025

I definitely recommend this very detailed and excellent course.

By Omran J

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Dec 28, 2022

An amazing course . It is well organised with very nice content

By Hameer K

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Jan 6, 2019

This course is very interesting an others words brain booster!!

By Dr. E C

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Dec 16, 2016

É um excelente curso para atualização médica. Muito proveitoso.

By John S

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May 21, 2021

Exellent ! -A large amount of information presented consisely.

By Johanna L

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Apr 15, 2018

Excelente curso, la distribución de los temas y las lecciones.

By Алена

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Sep 23, 2016

It's great! Thank you for the very good and important work!)))

By François M

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May 25, 2021

amazing methodology! im very glad to have had this oportunity

By Felipe A P M

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Aug 19, 2020

Muy buen curso, gran calidad de informacion y bien didactico.

By Muhsin

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Mar 12, 2018

The most comprehensive course I've seen so far. Thanks a lot.

By Csaba Z

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Sep 3, 2017

An excellent, in depth course with tons of learning material.

By Astrid N

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Sep 8, 2022

This is a fantastic course! I learned so much! Thanks a lot!

By Carrie L

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Apr 25, 2022

love the professor, very thoughful in his teaching approach

By Carlos T R

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Jan 19, 2019

Already finished the first week of study and work. Amazing.

By Arva A

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Aug 3, 2025

Well organized, thoroughly explained by Dr. White and fun.

By MOHAMMADREZASADIGH

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Apr 21, 2025

Hello, A very meaningful journey and great understanding,