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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Medical Neuroscience by Duke University

4.9
stars
3,107 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 17, 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!

MS

Jun 1, 2021

Simply the best MOOC ever on coursera. Very hard and time consuming, but the knowledge one gets from this MOOC is worth the effort. Thank you Dr. White, I am going to miss your lectures.

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476 - 500 of 929 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Katherine S

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Sep 30, 2020

very recommended! highly useful to review all the anatomic and physiopatological key points on this area

By Maria G

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Sep 7, 2020

A great opportunity to refresh your knowledge on Neuroanatomy, Neuronal signaling and relative pathways.

By Shikhar G

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Jul 16, 2019

Amazing course to learn sth new and exciting...... with great teachers and resource guidance..........

By Avery B

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Feb 27, 2018

This class was hands-down incredible. Probably even life-changing. I couldn't recommend it more highly!

By andro y

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Nov 22, 2020

actually this course upgraded my medical experience in neuroscience I advice you to take the challenge

By Reynold S

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Jul 11, 2016

The brain is really interesting to learn. And this course is one step you should take to understand it

By Pak F H

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Sep 1, 2022

One of the best course for neurology. That sense of satisfaction is unrivalled. Total recommendation.

By Samuel L R

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Jun 16, 2020

Es bastante bueno y completo. No obstante, es también demasiado largo, recomendable en cualquier caso

By Sofiya M

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Oct 9, 2017

The best course! Very challenging, but incredibly interesting and provides lots of useful information

By Dean A

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Jul 25, 2016

It is great for 1st year medical students! It really goes in detail for the subjects we need to know!

By Michael G B

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Apr 15, 2021

Well thought out overview of the structures and pathologies of the CNS. Thanks for the look inside.

By Dr. L P R

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Oct 20, 2019

Excelente curso , maravilloso profesor , bien logrado. Gracias al Profr. Dr. Len White, Ellen et al.

By Anna K

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Mar 26, 2026

it was an amazing experience, i loved duke university i loved doctor white thank you for everything

By Jackie Q

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Mar 1, 2023

This online course was amazing! Couldn't get enough of it. Dr. White and his team are tremendous!

By Ante D

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Mar 26, 2018

Incredible course. I would highly recommend it to everyone interested in the field of neuroscience.

By Renaldas Z

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Aug 13, 2017

Superb course! Helped me to "integrate" many aspects into more coherent understanding of the brain.

By Eduardo S N G

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Jun 14, 2016

It's a great course of medical neurosciece, It's simple and dynamic and well explained by Dr White.

By Haider A

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Aug 6, 2020

An excellent course. One of the best courses on neuroscience. Very comprehensive! Great Professor!

By Martin H

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Mar 10, 2024

Challenging course, extremly well one and beautifully taught. If only all courses were like this.

By Marco J R N

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Jun 22, 2019

Diseño excelente tanto en contenido como en didáctica con la plataforma.

Curso ultra recomendado.

By Коняева И И

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Jul 5, 2022

Это замечательный курс, который позволил мне развить целеустремленность и творческое мышление.

By Anis R

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Aug 23, 2020

Excellent course. I learnt a lot of new things although I an assistant professor of neurology !

By Geert V

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Jul 7, 2020

Excellent course! I advise to purchase the book (Neuroscience) to follow along with the course.

By Artem G

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Jan 19, 2020

Thanks to enthusiasm of dr. White and his team this is the best online course I have ever taken

By Seong T H

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Feb 24, 2019

Amazing course but omg at the same time so demanding! but hopefully it will worth it! Thank you