Posted: May 7th, 2015

Discuss the neural mechanisms involved in the perception of pain

Essay Assignment (Due Date: Monday, 4th May, 2015)
Your essay should be clearly focussed on the topic and should deal with its central concerns; it should reflect critical reading of the relevant literature and should offer reasoned argument.
You may include tables, diagrams, etc. if you wish. These may be photocopied from their (acknowledged) sources.
The style should be direct and economical and all references to which you refer must be listed in a bibliography at the end. This bibliography must be in APA format.
You will probably find that section heading and side headings help in achieving a clear presentation.
Refer to the marking rubric for details on marking criteria.
Marks will be awarded out of 60 and represents a total of 20% of the final grade.
You must keep an electronic copy of your essay for your records.
Write not more than 2,000 words on one of the following topics.
Essay Topics
Below is a list of essay topics that you can choose from. However, if there is a particular topic in neuroscience that you feel particularly passionate about I am happy for you to email your suggested topic to me for approval.
1. Discuss the diversity of glutamate receptors.
2. Compare and contrast the structure and function of the brain’s modulatory neurotransmitter systems.
3. Discuss the influence of environmental factors on the maturation of the brain.
4. The brain ages as a consequence of degenerative changes in its structure and function, and this process has little to do with environmental factors. Discuss critically.
5. Discuss how the simple nervous systems of invertebrates have been useful in the study of the cellular basis of learning.
6. Describe the neural mechanisms involved in the perception of touch, making particular mention of the way in which the brain uses maps to process information in this modality.
7. The search for localization of function has been, historically, one of the main thrusts of brain research. Discuss what progress has been made in this respect, and what problems have been encountered.
8. What are neuropeptides, how are they synthesised and what are the various functions that they may have in the peripheral and central nervous systems?
9. Discuss the role played by glial cells in the normal functioning of neurons.
10. Some disturbances of central nervous system functioning may involve malfunctioning of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Discuss.
11. Discuss the role of glutamate and GABA receptors in synaptic development of the brain.
12. Discuss the neural mechanisms involved in the perception of pain.
13. Discuss the neural mechanisms involved in the control of posture.
14. Discuss the mechanisms of sleep and sleep disorders.
15. Choose one class of psychoactive drug (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics), explain how they are thought to act at the cellular level and the conditions for which they are prescribed or used.
16. Compare and contrast olfactory, visual and auditory learning and memory.
17. Discuss the importance of acetylcholine in memory systems.
18. Discuss the role of the cerebral cortex in memory and learning.
All essay assignments must be submitted to UNE electronically via Turnitin. E-mailed assignments will not be accepted without prior arrangement with the coordinator.
General Comments on Essay Assignments
One of the objectives of this unit is to develop the ability to read critically in the field. Emphasis in the essay assignments should thus be on criticism and evaluation of information, rather than on the supply of information itself.
I expect not more than 2,000 words (exclusive of any reference list) in the essay assignment. Try to express your thoughts clearly, precisely and concisely. Avoid verbosity.
Please avoid the use of web-based articles, which have not been submitted to a peer-review process (i.e. non-journal articles).
Further assessment details
Extensions and late submission
For assessment tasks worth at least 10% of the overall mark for the unit, a penalty of 5% per day will apply. This penalty rate applies for a maximum of ten working days, after which no mark will be awarded. Consideration will be given for extenuating personal circumstances, but evidence must be supplied.
Extensions will not normally be considered, but in exceptional circumstances students may apply for an extension. Applications for such extension must be made in writing (email) accompanied by appropriate documentation and made to the unit coordinator before the due date. Grounds for extensions may be considered based upon:
1. Medical certificate or obvious illness, or
2. Extenuating personal circumstances, which must be accompanied by documentary evidence, e.g. certificate from a counsellor.
3. Difficulties accessing on-line quizzes for reasons beyond your or UNE’s control. Simply “forgetting” the due date for a quiz will not be considered an adequate excuse.
Plagiarism
You must comply with the University’s policy on Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
Your work will be checked for originality.
Plagiarism is the action or practice of taking and using as one’s own the thoughts or writings of another without acknowledgment. The following practices constitute acts of plagiarism and are a major infringement of UNE’s academic values:
• where paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence are copied directly, are not enclosed in quotation marks and appropriately referenced;
• where direct quotations are not used, but are paraphrased or summarised, and the source of the material is not referenced within the text of the paper; and
• where an idea which appears elsewhere in any form* is used or developed without reference being made to the author or the source of that idea.
*Some examples of this are books, journals, WWW material, theses, computer stored data and software, lecture notes or recordings.
Your responsibility
It is your responsibility to:
• read, understand and comply with the policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct found at the website above;
• familiarise yourself with the conventions of referencing for your discipline(s);
• avoid all acts which could be considered plagiarism or academic misconduct;
• seek assistance from appropriate sources if you become aware that you need more knowledge and skills in relation to academic writing;
• be aware that when you submit an assignment through the University’s e-Submission system, you are deemed to have signed the plagiarism declaration form;
• submit a separate signed and dated plagiarism declaration form with every task, report, dissertation or thesis submitted in hard copy for assessment or examination.
Avoiding Plagiarism
You should refer to the following websites for further advice and assistance:
• Plagiarism – Avoiding Plagiarism & Academic Misconduct (Coursework): Advice for Students This information explains the principles of good scholarship and has guidelines to help you avoid plagiarism. It also has guidelines for referencing and research, and advice on the use of internet sites.
• Academic Skills Office The Academic Skills Office has a variety of support materials to assist you with referencing and avoiding plagiarism.
• Academic writing
The academic writing site has been written as a self-managed training program that can also be used as a resource for a specific learning need. The level of learning is BASIC with links to many well-written programs to extend your learning.