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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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651 - 675 of 929 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Bárbara V F L

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Feb 5, 2021

Excelente curso, un gran reto de aprendizaje!

By Sana F

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May 13, 2020

best course I ever completed, thank you prof.

By Grethe O N

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Feb 14, 2017

Made me pass my neuroscience exam, THANK YOU!

By Alba

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Oct 10, 2016

Excelente método para aprender rápido y fácil

By Leticia M B

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Mar 24, 2024

Eu amei fazer esse curso, estou muito feliz!

By N M

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May 16, 2022

A great start for my journey on neuroscience

By Larissa R

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Jun 15, 2020

Incrível, agregou muito ao meu conhecimento!

By Исмаилов З Б

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Mar 2, 2019

I am so excited for this corse. Vary thanks!

By Ulrick S K

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Sep 1, 2018

A very demanding and a very rewarding course

By James D

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Sep 8, 2017

Very Good, I could have used more time. Than

By Franz P

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Sep 7, 2016

Amazing course. Thank you very much Leonard.

By Tayo A

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Aug 9, 2016

Absolutely Fantastic and Interesting Course!

By Stephanie D

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Mar 15, 2026

this course is amazing and very informative

By Dylan G

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Dec 29, 2021

enriching, but the tests are quite painful.

By Jey S

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Sep 11, 2020

It is a very interesting and useful course.

By MaheswarRam S

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Jun 30, 2020

A very useful course for my future studies.

By Ryan M

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Jun 12, 2020

Loved this course. Dr. White is phenomenal!

By Jander T d O

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Jul 29, 2018

The best online Medical Neuroscience course

By Thomas R

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Aug 2, 2025

A very interesting and fascinating course!

By Serafim M

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Jul 9, 2025

Muito bom curso. Obrigado. Atenciosamente.

By Lea H

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Feb 21, 2021

exceptional course - thanks Doctor White!!

By JON A C A

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Mar 23, 2022

It is a perfect course to study all brain

By Celine K

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Apr 19, 2019

Passionnant et absolument bien expliqué !

By Anna M T

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Apr 19, 2017

Short, informative lectures. Well taught!

By Ciência n V

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Jan 19, 2022

The best neuroanatomy class in the world