Students
PSYN841 – Neuropsychopharmacology
2017 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jennifer Cornish
Contact via jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro or DClinNeuro
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
The first 5 weeks of this unit is co-badged with PSY961 - Psychopathology (Clinical Psychologists)
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an overview of the basic principles of neuropharmacology with particular emphasis on the disorders seen in the clinical practice of neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists. It begins with a review of basic principles and then covers the major neurotransmitter systems and how they are disordered in brain injury and psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and the anxiety disorders.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 30% | No | Week 5 |
| Essay | 45% | No | Week 12 |
| Oral Presentation | 15% | No | Week 8, 9, 10 or 11 |
| Class Participation | 10% | No | Week 8, 9, 10 and 11 |
Test
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%
Multiple choice exam (30%) – 40 MCQ (5-choice) to assess the material covered in week 1-4 inclusive. The exam will be held in class in week 5 of semester 1, March 27th 2017.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Essay
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 45%
Essay (45%) due to be emailed to Jen by 5pm Friday June 2nd, 2017 (week 12). Topics should be selected by the student following approval from the convener. The report is to be 1500 words in 12- point times new roman, using a margin of 2.5 centimetres. Over page or late will result in loss of 5% per 100 words/day (eg 1 day late = 2.25 marks from 45). This means that you can have 99 words over before penalty. Please submit an electronic WORD version to jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au by 5pm on the due date. Please also submit to Turnitin on the link provided on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Oral Presentation
Due: Week 8, 9, 10 or 11
Weighting: 15%
Oral Presentation (15%) on a journal article of your choice (must involve neuropsychopharmacology) that has been approved by the convener. Students will be allocated to a presentation week at the beginning of semester. Please let the convener know of your paper for presentation by semester break, 2017. Feedback on presentations will be provided by email the week following the final student presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Class Participation
Due: Week 8, 9, 10 and 11
Weighting: 10%
Class Participation (10%). Students are expected to participate in class discussions, particularly at oral presentation (seminar) sessions to foster understanding and critical evaluation of research papers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Delivery and Resources
How unit is taught: Each week the biological bases and pharmacotherapies for neuropsychological disorders will be presented and discussed. Contemporary research literature on a given topic will be presented and discussed.
Unit is taught as 1 x 2 hour lectures/seminars Monday 10am-12pm, E4B 314, Semester 1, 2017
The unit is available on iLearn and iLecture.
Unit Schedule
How unit is taught: Each week the biological bases and pharmacotherapies for neuropsychological disorders will be presented and discussed.
Weekly list of topics to be covered:
Week 1 (Feb 27th): Review of basic physiological & pharmacology, Drug Abuse
Week 2 (March 6th): Anxiety Disorders
Week 3 (March 13th): Depression
Week 4 (March 20th): Psychosis
Week 5 (March 27th): In class examination (on week 1-4 inclusive)
Week 6 (April 3rd): Neurogenesis & Neuroplasticity
Week 7 (April 10th): Alzheimer’s Disease
SESSION BREAK
Week 8 (May 1st): Student Presentations
Week 9 (May 8th): Student Presentations
Week 10 (May 15th): Student Presentations
Week 11 (May 22nd): Student Presentations
Week 12 (May 29th): Parkinson’s Disease (ESSAYS DUE this Friday June 2nd)
Week 13 (June 5th): Paediatrics
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
- Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
- Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
- Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations
Assessment tasks
- Test
- Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Class Participation