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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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526 - 550 of 909 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Tereza R

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Jun 9, 2016

A fantastic course with spectacular resources. Thank you so much for creating this!

By L L

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Mar 12, 2019

Such an interesting course and with an exceptional professor - highly recommended!

By Nicole H

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Feb 1, 2017

Really helpful and the lectures were extremely useful for me as a graduate student

By José S A S

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Oct 19, 2020

Very good course. The lectures are very informative and the pase is very good too

By fateme k

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Dec 16, 2020

It was awesome and I really enjoyed this course. I highly recommend this course.

By chonlapin v

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Mar 2, 2020

I highly recommend this course for those who want to get into the area of Brain.

By Alem C C

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Nov 6, 2018

Una base impotante de muy buen nivel...recomendable para estudiantes de medicina

By Elgin B G P

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Nov 27, 2016

The very best course I have ever come across! Congratulations to its idealizers.

By RicardoArraga

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Sep 5, 2016

I love science and this kind of courses make me love it so much more, Thank you!

By Yi Y

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Sep 18, 2020

The material is very challenging but interesting. Thank you so much Prof White!

By FAHAD A S A

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Sep 12, 2017

I did not expect such a complete course. Thank you a lot. I benefited a lot ...

By Kayla K

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Oct 14, 2022

I learned so much information that I can use in my career! Loved this course!

By Sally W

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Sep 19, 2021

it is an excellent course perfectly structured and the quizzes are challenging

By Liat H

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Jul 3, 2020

great course! challenging material that is presented in a very digestible way!

By John L

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Oct 11, 2019

Interesting and insightful course that builds tangible and practical knowledge

By Adrielle d C S

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Jun 30, 2017

Muito bom. Completo. Ilustrações muito bacanas, inglês claro e ótima didática.

By Cody R

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Sep 12, 2016

World class teaching. Making medical students' lives better since...2015-ish?

By Erik G

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Oct 11, 2020

Great course, grat teacher, I enjoyed this part of my life with this resource

By Ahmed E

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Nov 30, 2016

Very excellent and informative course. Definitely recommending it to everyone

By Haris G

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Jul 10, 2020

I am very glad that I took this course and Dr. White was an awesome teacher.

By Florea A

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Sep 20, 2018

This course teach us how to do the hardest surgery: to change our lifestyle.

By Abe N

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Feb 3, 2017

I am excited to join this course... very intriguing professor and material.

By Fabian M

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Oct 24, 2016

Outstanding course! Quite a lot of content, but Dr White keeps one engaged.

By REGINA S Z

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Oct 26, 2020

It´s a great course to take, you learn a lot and it also improves your CV.

By Daniel T

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Jul 28, 2018

Amazing course. Essential for your professional practice. Congratulations!