Functional Neuroanatomy

This course covers the key aspects of functional neuroanatomy – from brain development and macroscopic organisation to blood supply. You’ll explore the brain’s microscopic structure, including sensory regions for vision, smell and hearing – and the impacts of injury or disease. You’ll examine key anatomical pathways for touch, pain and movement control, alongside the basal ganglia’s role in neurological disorders. And you’ll also explore brain regions involved in emotional regulation, language and memory, along with what happens when these are damaged.

• Module 1: Macroscopic brain structure underlying function and brain imaging
• Module 2: Microscopic brain structure underlying function and the anatomy of special senses
• Module 3: The anatomy of touch and pain
• Module 4: The anatomy of movement
• Module 5: Basal ganglia
• Module 6: The anatomy of emotion and cognition

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.

On successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Cambridge, along with valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and a digital badge to display on your LinkedIn profile. These Cambridge credentials not only showcase your knowledge and expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to professional development – helping future-proof your career.

This course is ideal for a wide range of professionals and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of brain anatomy and its functional relevance:

• Pre-clinical medical students: Those in the early stages of medical training who wish to build a strong foundation in neuroanatomy to underpin future clinical learning and practice.
• Junior doctors: Junior medical professionals seeking to expand their neuroanatomy knowledge to support clinical decision-making and enhance their diagnostic skills.
• Registrars: Senior medical professionals who want to deepen or refresh their understanding of functional neuroanatomy to improve patient care.
• Allied health professionals: Healthcare practitioners who need a clear understanding of brain structure and function to support rehabilitation and patient treatment plans.
• Graduate students: Students pursuing advanced studies in neuroscience, medicine or related fields who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of neuroanatomy with a functional and clinical emphasis.
• Professionals in research and industry: Professionals working in research, biotechnology or in the pharmaceutical sector who need a solid foundation in functional neuroanatomy to support their work.

Our flexible, online courses – delivered via a world-leading learning platform – reflect the University of Cambridge experience and values, with low learner-to-tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards.

Our online learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address real-world challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration with academics and fellow learners.

Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively around existing commitments. There is an optional weekly live session, which is recorded for anyone who can’t attend. 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 exactly what’s expected of you and how to meet those expectations.

Throughout your online learning experience with Cambridge Advance Online, you’ll have digital access to a dedicated course tutor, an expert in the field, who will help steer your learning and provide you with support and guidance every step of the way.

Level of knowledge and experience

• You’ll need a good level of spoken and written English to make the most of the course (we recommend English language proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of 7).
• A foundational understanding of biological sciences, such as the first year of a biomedical degree or a medical professional diploma, will support learning. Basic anatomy knowledge is helpful but not essential, as we begin with the fundamentals of neuroanatomy. Enthusiasm for the subject is the most important qualification.

Materials and equipment

• No specialist software or IT equipment required.
• Sufficient internet speed (2 Mbps up/down) for video streaming.
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Access to Virtual Learning Environment
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You can ask for support from your employer to fund this learning as part of your professional development.

Our Employer Funding guide has practical tips and templates to help you feel more confident asking for funding.

If your employer is funding your course or programme, we have several payment options available, including bank transfer (BACs), credit or debit card, and PayPal.

You can request a quote or an invoice for your organisation via our online course booking form, which will include a payment date and next steps for completing your payment.