Students
PSY 461 – Advanced Topics in Physiological Psychology
2019 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sarah Baracz
Jennifer Cornish
Anita Turner
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
PSY490 or PSY495
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
PSYC761
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The aims of this seminar are to introduce and develop students' understanding and awareness of current topics in contemporary neuroscience. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate, present and discuss research papers. This seminar series will cover a wide range of topics in the field of neuroscience such as neural stem cell research, transgenic research, neural basis of emotions, anxiety disorders, depression and drug addiction. Essay and presentation topics will be allocated or guided by the students' own interest in neuroscience.
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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:
- To gain a greater understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of brain function.
- To apply this knowledge of brain function to understanding the underpinnings of mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
General Assessment Information
SUBMITTING YOUR ESSAY
Please submit a copy or your essay (Microsoft word format only) via the turnitin link in iLearn. Essays will be returned by the end of Week 8.
A copy of the assignment must be kept as proof that the assignment was completed and submitted. Assignments will not be accepted after the return of marked assignments.
Assignments submitted by post will not be accepted.
You will be required to submit your assignment to Turnitin plagiarism detection software via the Internet. Your assignment will be automatically compared to work of other students in this unit, previous students in this unit and at other universities, as well as material available on the Internet in subscription-based journal format or otherwise freely accessible information. The results of the analysis will be sent only to the unit chairs, who will analyse the results in reference to the University’s standard policy on plagiarism http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/.
Penalties will be levied for late submission of assignment and for exceeding word limits:
Penalties for late submission: The penalty for late submission is 5% of the maximum mark per day overdue. For this assignment, worth 50%, this means that every day late will result in the loss of 5% (0.05) x 50 = 2.5 marks from the total mark (50) for the assignment.
Penalty for exceeding word limit: For each 100 words over the word limit a penalty of 5% will be applied. This means that for this assignment that is worth 50%, a 5% penalty will result in the loss of 5% (0.05) x 50 = 2.5 marks from the total mark (50) for the assignment. This means that you have 99 words on page 9 before penalty.
Request for Extensions for Assignments are granted by the Faculty Office:
Ordinarily, no extensions of time for submission of written work will be granted since ample time for preparation will have been given. If an extension is required for medical or other extenuating circumstances, students may request this in writing through ask.mq.edu.auwith supporting documentary evidence (such as medical certificate, counsellor note, or similar). Ms Donna Keeley will make all decisions regarding extensions. The course convenor will not grant extensions.
All requests for extensions must be made priorto the due date for the assignment.
If an extension is granted, the approval must be uploaded with the online submission of your essayto avoid any late penalty.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50% | No | 06/04/2019 |
| Research Presentation | 35% | No | one week during semester |
| Student participation | 15% | No | each week |
Essay
Due: 06/04/2019
Weighting: 50%
Topics for the essay will be provided via iLearn on Wednesday 6th March or students may choose their own topic following approval from the convenors.1. The essay requirements are 8 double-spaced pages(excluding reference list) in 12-point times new roman with a margin of 2.5 centimetres (rubric available on iLearn).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To gain a greater understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of brain function.
- To apply this knowledge of brain function to understanding the underpinnings of mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Research Presentation
Due: one week during semester
Weighting: 35%
Given weekly throughout the session (allocation to topic in week 1). You are to individually select a relevant neuroscience article and present your arguments in a 30 minute powerpoint presentation. You will be assessed on oral communication, clarity and presentation of information (rubric available on iLearn). Please email a copy of this paper to sarah.baracz@mq.edu.au prior to your presentation so that it can be made available to other students via iLearn. All articles must be approved by the course convenor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To gain a greater understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of brain function.
- To apply this knowledge of brain function to understanding the underpinnings of mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Student participation
Due: each week
Weighting: 15%
You are to ask one question during each weekly student presentation based on discussion and/or article.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Delivery and Resources
Unit is delivered as a 2 hour workshop each week. Information for the class is available on iLearn.
Unit Schedule
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Lecture Program |
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WEEK |
DATE |
TOPIC |
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1 |
27 Feb |
Review of Basic Physiological Psychology |
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2 |
6 Mar |
Anxiety Disorders |
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3 |
13 Mar |
Depression |
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4 |
20 Mar |
Alzheimer’s Disease |
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5 |
27 Mar |
Parkinson’s Disease |
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6 |
3 Apr |
No Class (essay due 5pm on 5 Apr via turnitin) |
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7 |
10 Apr |
Guest Lecture |
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Mid Semester Break |
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8 |
1 May |
Substance Abuse |
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9 |
8 May |
Bipolar Disorder |
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10 |
15 May |
Williams Syndrome |
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11 |
22 May |
Paediatric Epilepsy |
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12 |
29 May |
Multiple Sclerosis |
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13 |
5 June |
No Class |
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Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Research Presentation
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To gain a greater understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of brain function.
- To apply this knowledge of brain function to understanding the underpinnings of mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Research Presentation
- Student participation
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To apply this knowledge of brain function to understanding the underpinnings of mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Research Presentation
- Student participation
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To critically analyse journal articles on mental illness, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases based on their methodological design, reasoning and data.
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Research Presentation
- Student participation
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.
Assessment tasks
- Research Presentation
- Student participation
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 05/02/2019 | Hi Kerry, I have now changed the learning outcomes. Sarah |