Sneak Peek
Self Paced 20-hour course to help you understand more about the human brain
The human brain is an amazing piece of architecture. It is estimated that brains contain 100 billion neurons and there are some 100 trillion connections between them. As one of the most intricate and organised organs on the planet, it is perhaps not surprising to think they are so complex they are not even capable of understanding themselves! From movement to emotion, imagination to gut function and everything in between, the human brain is a capable, plastic, and ever-changing system that allows the complex and nuanced existence of humans. Brains, however, are not infallible. In this short course you will cover how the brain works from anatomy to physiology and behaviour, but also when things go wrong, including: brain damage, neurological conditions, psychological issues, and developmental issues.
Our 20 hour courses are self paced and will help you understand a topic in a short amount of time. You can work through the course when you like- test yourself with mini-tests along the way. There are extra case studies or research you can undertake if you would really like to get into the topic. Once you have completed the lessons and self assessment tasks, there is a final exam undertaken online- you can then download your personalised certificate.
Course Content
This course has eight lessons. Each lesson has a corresponding online self-assessment test.
Lesson 1 UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN BRAIN
- The biology of the brain
- How can studying animals help?
- Who is interested in the brain?
- The mind-brain problem
- Brain studies
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 2 BRAIN ANATOMY & BEHAVIOUR
- The structure of the brain
- Forebrain
- Midbrain
- Hindbrain
- Divisions of the brain
- The lobes
- The normal functioning of the brain
- Case studies
- Brain plasticity and the impact of behaviour
- Brain development from embryo to death
- Blood- brain barrier
- Lesson 2 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 3 BRAIN CHEMISTRY & ELECTRONICS
- How neurons transmit messages
- Neurochemistry
- Neurons in detail
- Diet and neurotransmitters
- Neurotransmitters and behaviour
- Drugs and neurotransmitters
- Ways of detecting and studying brain chemistry and electrical activity
- Practical benefits of measuring brain chemistry and electrical activity
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 4 BIOLOGY & NEUROLOGY IN LEARNING & MEMORY
- Biopsychology & neurology of learning
- Memory
- How is memory organised?
- Case studies - memory
- Practical benefits of studying memory
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 5 BRAIN DAMAGE
- Brain damage & neuropsychology
- Brain lesions
- Causes of brain lesions
- Tumours
- Cerebral disorders (stroke)
- Pathology of brain injury
- Environmental factors
- Practical benefits in daily life
- How disease can alter brains
- Lesson 5 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 6 ASSESSMENT & OUTCOMES OF BRAIN DAMAGE
- Types of brain injury
- Sequelae of brain injury
- Sexual functioning
- Initial assessment
- Further testing
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 7 TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT OF BRAIN DAMAGE
- What is appropriate treatment?
- Patient-clinician relationship
- Patient compliance
- Treating brain lesions
- Outcomes of treatment
- Developing management plans
- Ending treatment
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 8 APPLICATIONS OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
- Assessment & rehabilitation
- Brain studies and children
- Other applications of research into brain & behaviour
- Review what you have been learning
- Final assessment
How does this course work?
You can enrol at any time.
Once you have paid for the course, you will be able to start straight away.
Study when and where you like. Work through at your own pace.
You can download your study-guide to your smart phone, tablet or laptop to read offline.
There are automated self-assessment tests you can complete at the end of each lesson. You can attempt these as many times as you wish and each time, upon completion, you can see your results. You will need internet access to complete the self assessment tests.
At the end of the course, you are presented with a large assessment which can be attempted online, anywhere, anytime. If you achieve a 60% pass in the exam; you immediately receive a downloadable certificate of completion with your name on it. If you do not achieve a 60% pass rate, you can contact us to re-sit your exam. ( email- admin@acs.edu.au )
Contact us at anytime if you have any issues with the course. admin@acs.edu.au