Course overview
Neuroscience is one of the fastest growing areas of life
sciences with functional neuroanatomy (the study of the structure and function
of the brain) becoming an important area of study for the clinical practice of
neurosurgery, neurology, neuroradiology and psychiatry.
Discover how key anatomical features of the brain and spinal
cord underlie functions and how damage to these structures can lead to specific
functional deficits, for example, due to stroke, trauma or neurodegenerative
disease. Through a series of videos and images from the University of Cambridge
dissecting rooms, you’ll be able to visualise brain structure at different
levels and explore the regions of the brain involved in sensory, motor,
emotional and cognitive function.
This course will provide you with the knowledge to identify
brain and spinal cord pathology and the associated clinical signs in patients.
It will give you the confidence to apply this knowledge to clinical scenarios,
through practice with real-life examples in clinical puzzles and hands-on
activities.
Our Functional Neuroanatomy course is certified by The Society of British Neurological Surgeons as conforming to continuing professional development principles. This course has an estimated 48 hours of learning.
What will I learn?
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- describe different regions of the brain, differentiate their function and evaluate their potential clinical relevance
- compare and differentiate different methods of live macroscopic imaging of human brain structure and vasculature; interpret images
- identify, map and label key functional structures and pathways in the brain
- recognise, analyse and interpret microscopic brain structure
- identify sites of injury based on clinical signs and symptoms, brain images and patient history.
Who is this course for?
This course will be of interest to the following:
- pre-clinical medical students
- junior doctors
- registrars
- allied health professionals
- graduate students
- professionals in research and industry who need an introduction to brain anatomy with a functional emphasis.
Course delivery
Our certificated courses reflect the Cambridge experience and values, with low student to tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards. Our learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address global challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration. Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively. The assessment criteria will be presented to you at the start of the course, so you can approach your studies with confidence and motivation, knowing what is expected of you and how to meet those expectations.
Throughout your online learning experience, you will have access to your course tutor, who will help facilitate your learning and provide you with support and guidance during your studies. You can interact with your tutor through a range of media, such as live sessions, discussion forums, email or canvas messaging.
Each course includes a balance of:
- interactive learning and real-world application so you can directly apply what you’re learning to your own context
- diverse teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes which will be delivered via learning activities such as University of Cambridge academic led videos, quizzes and group work
- optional live sessions (1 hour) with University of Cambridge academics and tutors to deepen your understanding of the week's material. These sessions may include an informal Q&A, a short lecture or a breakout activity that builds on the content introduced that week. All sessions are recorded and made available to stream so you can catch up whenever suits you
- guided critical thinking via our reflective workbook so you can collect, structure and summarise information and your thoughts as you progress through the course.
What will I get on completion?
Evidence your learning with a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Cambridge on successful completion.
