Students

PSYN8916 – Advanced Neuropsychological Assessment

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Greg Savage
greg.savage@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Jennifer Batchelor
jennifer.batchelor@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro and (PSYN840 or PSYN8840) and (PSYN855 or PSYN8855) and (PSYN853 or PSYN8853)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of neuropsychological tests, and builds on foundations established in Advanced Evidence-based Neuropsychological Assessment PSYN8853. Most of the session is devoted to exposition of tests commonly used by neuropsychologists, with each week's presentations covering one or more cognitive domains. The development of a cognitive approach to clinical practice is introduced, and understanding the important clinical, practical, and psychometric features of tests. The unit also includes lectures exposing students to perspectives of clinical neurology and clinical neuroradiology, and issues relating to assessing capacity and working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

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:

  • ULO1: Develop a broad perspective on neuropsychological assessment.
  • ULO2: Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • ULO3: Appreciate the process of cognitive neuropsychological formulation.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate expertise in administration of reading tests of premorbid ability.

General Assessment Information

Word count penalty: 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for the assessment task. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.

Late submissions, without an approved extension, will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. No further submissions will be accepted after the marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.

All extensions need to be formally requested via ask.mq.edu.au in line with the special consideration policy. 

Any requests for remark need to follow the Psychology process and must be applied within 2 weeks of the assessment task being returned. Information will be provided on iLearn.

It is Psychology policy that letter grades, not numeric marks, are released for written assessment tasks.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Neuropsychological approaches essay 40% No TBA
Class presentation 0% Yes Scheduled throughout S2
Clinical performance evaluation 20% Yes TBA
Case conference class participation 0% Yes Throughout S2
Issues associated with serial neuropsychological assessments 40% No TBA

Neuropsychological approaches essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will submit a 2000 word essay discussing the variety of approaches taken in assessment, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and relating them to their ability to address potentially different kinds of referral question and communicating findings to a report's audience.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a broad perspective on neuropsychological assessment.
  • Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • Appreciate the process of cognitive neuropsychological formulation.

Class presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: Scheduled throughout S2
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students will present features of specific neuropsychological tests to the class.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a broad perspective on neuropsychological assessment.
  • Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • Appreciate the process of cognitive neuropsychological formulation.

Clinical performance evaluation

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Competent administration of the NART, WTAR, and TOPF will be tested in a 1:1 session with the Unit Convenor.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • Demonstrate expertise in administration of reading tests of premorbid ability.

Case conference class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Throughout S2
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students contribute to case conference presentations in the co-taught seminar with PSYN8847, where students on placement present cases to the combined group.

 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a broad perspective on neuropsychological assessment.
  • Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • Appreciate the process of cognitive neuropsychological formulation.

Issues associated with serial neuropsychological assessments

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

 

In 1500 words, students will discuss issues relating to reliable measurement in the interpretation of neuropsychological test results across multiple assessments, illustrating with recent examples from the clinical research literature.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a broad perspective on neuropsychological assessment.
  • Gain insight into methods for effective and valid assessment of cognitive domains.
  • Appreciate the process of cognitive neuropsychological formulation.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Classes are held weekly, and at the time of publishing this unit guide, most classes are scheduled to be held on campus. However, in line with Public Health guidelines, this approach will be revised if and when necessary due to the COVID pandemic, in alignment with University policy. Changes or updates will be communicated via iLearn and/or emails sent to student email accounts. Students should stay up to date with the latest University advice at the following website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs/information-for-students

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Grading

Macquarie University, and Psychology postgraduate courses, follow standards-based assessment of student performance. All individual assessment tasks are subject to moderation, consistent with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. A student’s final mark for this unit, and associated grade, must reflect their attainment of the unit learning outcomes, and isn’t necessarily a simple summation of their individual assessment items.

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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.

Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook