Students
PSYN8841 – Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jennifer Cornish
Jennifer Batchelor
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
The first 5 weeks of this unit is also completed by PSYC8987
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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. |
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: Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropharmacology of common psychological disorders and pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
- ULO2: Critically evaluate research literature and theoretical issues relevant to psychopharmacology.
- ULO3: Effectively communicate concepts in psychopharmacology using information technology and in written and oral formats.
- ULO4: Demonstrate self-awareness through identifying and setting targets for time management of assessment completion
- ULO5: Critically evaluate the relevance and accuracy of neuroscience data in order to formulate evidence based arguments
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class presentation | 15% | No | One of Week 8-11 |
| Psychopharmacology essay | 45% | No | May 28, 2021 |
| In class test | 30% | No | Week 5 May 22 |
| Class participation | 10% | No | Week 8-11 |
In class presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: One of Week 8-11
Weighting: 15%
Students are required to present and critique a journal article in oral format for 10 minutes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropharmacology of common psychological disorders and pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
- Critically evaluate research literature and theoretical issues relevant to psychopharmacology.
- Effectively communicate concepts in psychopharmacology using information technology and in written and oral formats.
- Demonstrate self-awareness through identifying and setting targets for time management of assessment completion
- Critically evaluate the relevance and accuracy of neuroscience data in order to formulate evidence based arguments
Psychopharmacology essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: May 28, 2021
Weighting: 45%
Students submit a 1500 word essay on a contemporary psychopharmacology topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropharmacology of common psychological disorders and pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
- Critically evaluate research literature and theoretical issues relevant to psychopharmacology.
- Effectively communicate concepts in psychopharmacology using information technology and in written and oral formats.
- Demonstrate self-awareness through identifying and setting targets for time management of assessment completion
- Critically evaluate the relevance and accuracy of neuroscience data in order to formulate evidence based arguments
In class test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 5 May 22
Weighting: 30%
Forty multiple choice questions in 1 hour
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropharmacology of common psychological disorders and pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
- Demonstrate self-awareness through identifying and setting targets for time management of assessment completion
Class participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 8-11
Weighting: 10%
Students are expected to participate in class discussions particularly during oral presentations to foster an understanding and critical evaluation of research papers that are read prior to class
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropharmacology of common psychological disorders and pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
- Critically evaluate research literature and theoretical issues relevant to psychopharmacology.
- Effectively communicate concepts in psychopharmacology using information technology and in written and oral formats.
- Demonstrate self-awareness through identifying and setting targets for time management of assessment completion
- Critically evaluate the relevance and accuracy of neuroscience data in order to formulate evidence based arguments
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
Content is to be delivered in weekly lectures. Fundamental information can be sourced from B.E. Leonard, Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology - available on-line from the library. Other reading information to support your learning will be provided during lectures.
Unit Schedule
How unit is taught: Each week the biological bases and pharmacotherapies for psychological disorders will be presented and discussed. Contemporary research literature on a given topic will be presented and discussed. Please check iLearn for current updates to the schedule.
Weekly list of topics to be covered:
Week 1(Feb 22): Review of basic physiological & pharmacology, Substance Use
Week 2(March 1): Anxiety Disorders
Week 3(March 8): Depression
Week 4(March 15): Psychosis
Week 5(March 22): In class examination (on week 1-4 inclusive)
Week 6(March 29): Neurogenesis & Neuroplasticity
SESSION BREAK
Week 7(April 19): Alzheimer’s Disease
Week 8(April 26): Student Presentations
Week 9(May 3): Student Presentations
Week 10(May 10): Student Presentations
Week 11(May 17): Student Presentations
Week 12(May 24): Parkinson’s Disease (ESSAYS DUE this Friday May 28)
Week 13(May 31): Reading Week – no class
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:
- 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
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
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 2021.02 of the Handbook