Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - BPK 426 D100

Functional Human Neuroanatomy (3)

Class Number: 6382

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2026
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BPK 326. Corequisite: BPK 306. BPK 306 is recommended to be completed prior to enrolling in BPK 426.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students will critically assess and investigate functional neuroanatomy, and examine how neuroimaging, animal models, and functional deficits in patients inform this knowledge. The course encompasses divisions of the human nervous system from both functional (sensory, motor, and autonomic) and anatomical (peripheral and central) perspectives, including the neural basis of higher cortical functions.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is 12 weeks in length, with 2 lecture hours per week (Tues, 2:30-4:20pm).

Most weeks will include a one-hour tutorial (beginning in the second week of term, on Tues Sept 22, 10:30-11:20 and 11:30-12:20).

Topics include:

  • Week 1 (Sept 15): Introduction to the nervous system, neuroanatomy, and primary literature (AW)
  • Week 2 (Sept 22): Neuroimaging methods (AW)
  • Week 3 (Sept 29): Cerebral cortex: functional organization, vascular supply, and stroke (LR)
  • Week 4 (Oct 6): The environs of the CNS: ventricular system, meninges, and barriers in the brain (LR)
  • Week 5 (Oct 13): Motor control: descending spinal pathways, the basal ganglia, and the cerebellum (AW)
  • Week 6 (Oct 20): Somatosensory pathways and pain: peripheral origins and the spinal cord, the thalamus, and cortical sensory processing [LR]
  • Week 7 [Midterm]: Oct 27
  • Week 8 [Nov 3]: Brainstem I: surface anatomy and cranial nerves; eye movements and pupillary control (LR)
  • Week 9 [Nov 10]: Brainstem II: internal structures and vascular supply (LR)
  • Week 10 [Nov 17]: The limbic system: memory, spatial orientation, emotion, drive [LR]
  • Week 11 [Nov 24]: Neuroanatomy of perception and consciousness [AW]
Week 12 [Dec 1]: Higher order cognition and neurocognitive disorders [AW]

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of BPK 426, successful students will be able to:

  1. Link structure to function in the major divisions of the nervous system through a clinical lens, predicting deficits that result from damage, and localizing damage based on deficits.
  2. Interpret anatomical sections of the brain and spinal cord (physical and digital) to identify structures and describe their relationship to other structures.
  3. Interpret functional imaging data from the current primary literature and describe its contributions to our current understanding of functional neuroanatomy, as well as its limitations.

Grading

  • Quizzes in tutorial 15%
  • Oral journal club-style presentation 15%
  • Midterm 1 30%
  • Final Exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required textbook for this course. Supplemental reading will be assigned, including portions of textbook chapters and primary literature.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.