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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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426 - 450 of 909 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By José A B

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Jul 13, 2017

I love neuroscience and I am amazing that course! It's so complete!

Thank you, Prof.White and team, for that opportunity.

José

By Adrian S

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Dec 24, 2016

Excellent designed and instructive course. Dr White explains everything in a simple way, even if it is a complicate subject.

By Andres P

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Aug 4, 2022

ES EL MEJOR CURSO QUE HE REALIZADO. REALMENTEES INCREIBLE LA SENSACION DE APRENDER DE ALGUIEN TAN CALIDO COMO EL DR WHITE.

By Mehnaaz F

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Aug 1, 2019

excellent tutor and the way he delivers the lectures is amazing. teach in a calm and right speed.

Thank you for great work.

By Ahmet B

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Sep 30, 2018

i am a asistant of neurolgy and this course make me more reliziable. when i see a patient i can understand his/her mecanism

By saher m

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Jan 9, 2018

i really recommend this course to every medical student, in addition, i recommend dr najeeb and armando lectures on youtube

By TIANYU W

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Feb 18, 2021

It's a heavy and long course with intermediate knowledge of neuroscience. Dr.White was a thoughtful and lovely instructor.

By Valentin P

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May 9, 2017

Great teacher and nice vertical vision (not very deep not very shallow). Just in the right spot for a introductory course.

By Serge D

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Oct 28, 2016

Cours complet pour s'initier au fonctionnement du cerveau et du système nerveux, et connaitre la neurobiologie du cerveau.

By Lee S B M

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Feb 25, 2021

Prof. White made the lessons understandable and exciting for someone like me who doesn't have a neuroscience background.

By Furkan A

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Oct 22, 2020

Very enlightening and succesful course for medical students that are interested in neuroscience. Thanks for everything ..

By Nathan L

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Aug 11, 2018

Incredibly informative with the ability to work at your own pace. Great instructor and helpful additional web resources.

By Mark M

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Sep 22, 2016

Very challenging but quite informative. Time intensive. You do need to focus all your mental faculties to take it all in.

By christie n

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Aug 30, 2025

Curriculum structure is really comprehensive, Prof White is really a good teacher and makes learning neuroscience is fun

By Farhood J

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Jul 17, 2023

It has been truly an honor to be your student, I hope that one day I would see you in person, Professor Leonard E White.

By Ishaan V

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Sep 25, 2022

The course was really Great! I would recommend all of you to take it if you are interested in this field by any chance.

By Jaspreet K

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Aug 31, 2020

This course's appreciation is beyond words. I think it is the best course I have ever accomplished in my education yet!

By 郑驰垠

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Mar 8, 2019

my first course finished on Coursera.really a course with abundant material especially those clear systematic images.

By Priscila F S

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Sep 7, 2020

very didactic course, I thank the professor White too much for all the knowledge provided. Everything was incredible!

By Caterina B

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Mar 5, 2021

Professor White was very professional and passionate. I loved this course and I am very grateful for what I learned.

By Austin S

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Mar 26, 2017

Great course. Very educational. I wish there were other free online medical-level courses of this quality available.

By Anna R

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Aug 1, 2025

Engaging, motivating, inspiring! I mean... It made me learn brain stem anatomy and much more out of my free will ;)

By dave

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May 31, 2017

Absolutely Fantastic. It helped me immensely during my exam preparation. Thanks very much. The teaching was superb.

By quinn m

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Jul 18, 2025

great course, the teacher mr white did an amazing job at putting things in an interesting and understandable level

By Angelita F

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May 23, 2023

I'm crying oh my God, finishing this feels like a huge achievement I should celebrate with everyone in this city..