uwloo

KIN 356Sensory Systems Neuroscience

Units
0.50
Faculty
Health
Subject
Kinesiology

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course will examine how different regions of the nervous system interact to shape our perception, decisions, memories, movements, and consciousness. The focus will be placed on the role of the sensory systems in transducing external stimuli into neural activity, how sensory information is processed within and across sensory modalities (i.e., multisensory integration), and the implications for nervous system function. Topics will be considered from developmental, injury, disease, and aging perspectives.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • KIN255 - Fundamentals of Neuroscience (0.50)
    • PSYCH261 - Physiological Psychology (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00127430 / 90TTh 10:00–11:20
LEC 701102054 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

93% liked it53% easy94% useful

From 14 ratings and 7 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Was taught by Prof. Barnett this term and I loved how he structured the course. 4 10% quizzes every 3-4 chapters or so, which can make the term feel pretty busy with everything else going on, but I found it forced me to keep memorizing and studying the content consistently as we went, which really prepared me for the midterm and final (both 30%). quizzes were pretty easy, all multiple choice, and term tests are mostly short and long answer. The questions are fair, and he gave us more writing questions than we were required to answer, so we could choose the ones we were more comfortable with. Content is challenging, and the textbook readings can be pretty heavy, but its such interesting…

    Apr 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Very useful class for any neuro students. Content is pretty straight forward, but there is a ton of it to memorize. Dr. Barnett Cowan does a great job on keeping it engaging. 4 10% quizzes and 2 30% tests (one in the exam schedule). Quizzes are MC, tests are long answer. Go to class and spam flashcards to get an 85%+ with medium effort.

    Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Interesting course, slightly difficult but the tests were pretty fair. Dr. Barnett-Cowan is pretty passionate about his work so he makes it interesting, but the content itself can be dull at times. Overall would recommend though.

    May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I took this course online during pandemic and it wasn't bad at all. There was only one 50% midterm and one 50% final. Theres an associated textbook with the course and as long as u have that you can Ctrl F ur way through those tests easy

    Apr 2021 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • entire course had a midterm and final worth 50% each. make it or break it. Michael Barnett was the best prof, delivered information very effectively. Learned about the systems of the body more in depth.

    May 2019 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

One post or comment in 1 thread mentions KIN 356, September 2022 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar