Students

PSYC761 – Advanced Issues in Physiological Psychology

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sarah Baracz
Jennifer Cornish
Anita Turner
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
PSY461
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.

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 weekly

Essay

Due: 06/04/2019
Weighting: 50%

Topics for the essay will be provided via iLearn on Wednesday 6thMarch or students may choose their own topic following approval from the convenors. 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: weekly
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

Lecture Program

 

WEEK

DATE

TOPIC

1

27 Feb

Review of Basic Physiological Psychology

2

6 Mar

Anxiety Disorders

3

13 Mar

Depression

4

20 Mar

Alzheimer’s Disease

5

27 Mar

Parkinson’s Disease

6

3 Apr

No Class (essay due 5pm on 6 Apr via turnitin) 

7

10 Apr

Guest Lecture

Mid Semester Break

8

1 May

Substance Abuse 

9

8 May

Bipolar Disorder

10

15 May

Williams Syndrome 

11

22 May

Paediatric Epilepsy 

12

29 May

Multiple Sclerosis  

13

5 June

No Class

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:

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

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

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 outcome

  • To clearly and efficiently communicate the reasoning, methodological design, and outcome of a research paper.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Research Presentation
  • Student Participation