Medical Neuroscience Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This comprehensive Medical Neuroscience course from Duke University provides a rigorous, medical school-level exploration of the nervous system, designed for students preparing for advanced studies in medicine or healthcare. Over approximately 10 weeks with a commitment of 10+ hours per week, learners will master neuroanatomy, neural signaling, sensory and motor systems, and higher cognitive functions, supported by clinical case studies, neuroimaging, and animated pathway demonstrations. The course concludes with a final project integrating clinical and anatomical reasoning, offering ideal preparation for USMLE Step 1 and MCAT neuroscience sections.
Module 1: Neuroanatomy Foundations
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Brain and spinal cord gross anatomy
- Ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid flow
- Cerebral blood supply and vascular territories
- 3D dissection modules and neuroimaging
- Clinical stroke case analyses
Module 2: Neural Signaling
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Action potential generation and propagation
- Synaptic transmission mechanisms
- Major neurotransmitter systems
- Epilepsy case studies
- EEG interpretation fundamentals
Module 3: Sensory Systems
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Visual pathway anatomy and function
- Central and peripheral auditory processing
- Somatosensory pathways and cortical representation
- Optic neuritis clinical correlation
- Hearing loss case analyses
Module 4: Motor Control
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Pyramidal and extrapyramidal motor systems
- Basal ganglia circuitry and function
- Cerebellar coordination and motor learning
- Neuroanatomy of movement disorders
- Parkinson’s disease deep dive
Module 5: Higher Functions
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Neural basis of memory and learning
- Language processing and cortical networks
- Neurobiology of emotion and behavior
- Alzheimer’s disease pathology and progression
- Aphasia case discussions
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Analysis of complex neuroimaging cases
- Integration of sensory, motor, and cognitive findings
- Diagnostic reasoning in neurological disorders
Prerequisites
- Foundational knowledge in human anatomy
- Basic understanding of physiology
- Familiarity with medical terminology
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Interpret neuroanatomical structures in clinical imaging
- Explain neural signaling and neurotransmitter roles
- Analyze sensory and motor pathway dysfunctions
- Correlate neurological symptoms with brain regions
- Apply neuroscience knowledge to clinical diagnosis