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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Medical Neuroscience by Duke University

4.9
stars
3,022 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 16, 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!

MM

Jan 30, 2019

This course was really a fantastic experience. Professor White provided very well presented tutorials and his wealth of knowledge and commitment to teaching was very much appreciated.

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401 - 425 of 896 Reviews for Medical Neuroscience

By Iván F F C

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Jul 25, 2020

Amazing course! It really expanded and deepened my understanding of (and love for) neuroscience. Professor White is an incredible teacher!

By Bander A A

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Mar 1, 2018

very informative,

i am a neurosurgery resident and i learned a lot from this course.

thanks to all of you for sharing such amazing course.

By Ольга П

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Mar 30, 2024

The course is very good! I gained expanded knowledge. Teaching at a high level. Thanks to the professor Len White and his entire team.

By Excerption E

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Jun 10, 2020

Just amazing! I am really grateful that I have such an wonderful opportunity! Dr. Leonard is one of the best lecturer I have ever seen.

By Amy L

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Mar 10, 2018

This course was amazing and Dr White was an excellent teacher. He continually encourage new ways of learning to stimulate our brains.

By Paulina H R

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Jul 8, 2017

Excellent! I loved every single class. Not too dense, not boring at all. Very informative. I really loved it. Ideal for medical field.

By Omer T

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Jul 14, 2019

It was such a wonderful experience, it was hard but i enjoyed it and i hopping that the certificate will help me in my medical career

By Shybaieva R

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Dec 3, 2017

Great course, many thanks to prof.White for your inactivity and curiosity throughout all learning videos, it was very inspirational!

By Полещук С В

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Aug 3, 2025

The course is extremely interesting and useful, and also masterfully taught. Many thanks to the author, Professor Leonard E. White.

By Jira S

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Oct 10, 2022

This course is really excellent and stays interesting the whole way through. It is definitely not easy, but 100% worth your time.

By Dr. T S

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Jun 15, 2020

excellent. awaiting the next edition of this course and the announced course about neuroscience, perception, action and the brain.

By Aliya O

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Sep 12, 2023

It is the most profound course I have ever gone through on the Internet, big gratitude for Professor Leo! Really loved that course

By Ana P

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Sep 17, 2018

Exploring the course to understand a bit more about neuroscience. Thank you so much to my instructors for instructing Ana Pelayo.

By Rafail K

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Mar 16, 2017

Extremely interesting, stimulating, providing great detail, well-organized as well as demanding and challenging. Simply inspiring

By Arnulfo A

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Sep 26, 2025

Gran oportunidad gracias por el apoyo y compartir este conocimiento en neurociencia en línea para adquirir un gran conocimiento

By Claudio R C

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Nov 1, 2020

Great overall course, very complete. The professor is amazing, charismatic and entusiastic, making lessons even more enjoyable.

By Padma P D

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Jun 24, 2020

Thank you for wonderful course!! Great teaching and amazing quizzes and clinical cases!! It helped alot in my medical studies!!

By Emily D

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Feb 7, 2020

Best course I have taken on Coursera! The material was very challenging but well taught! I would highly recommend this course!

By WENYAN W

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Sep 29, 2021

thank you Prof. White for making this course available for me. it was hard but more than rewarding, very productive 13 weeks!

By Veli S

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Feb 7, 2020

Brilliant lectures - Excellent lecturer. Great topics and I truly enjoyed myself and advanced my knowledge! Thank you so much

By Juan C K P

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Jul 5, 2016

This is a challenging and very rewarding course.

It's super complete. Perfect for those who want to really learn about brains.

By José A B

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Jul 13, 2017

I love neuroscience and I am amazing that course! It's so complete!

Thank you, Prof.White and team, for that opportunity.

José

By Adrian S

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Dec 24, 2016

Excellent designed and instructive course. Dr White explains everything in a simple way, even if it is a complicate subject.

By Andres P

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Aug 4, 2022

ES EL MEJOR CURSO QUE HE REALIZADO. REALMENTEES INCREIBLE LA SENSACION DE APRENDER DE ALGUIEN TAN CALIDO COMO EL DR WHITE.

By Mehnaaz F

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Aug 1, 2019

excellent tutor and the way he delivers the lectures is amazing. teach in a calm and right speed.

Thank you for great work.