Students

PSYN8840 – Neuropsychological Disorders

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jennifer Batchelor
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro or MClinPsych
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed as an introduction to common neuropsychological disorders including disorders of memory, adaptive functions, perception, praxis and language. Models of normal and abnormal function and case examples of dysfunction are presented.This unit is designed to provide insight into how neuropsychological disorders typically manifest. It provides students with an understanding of how functions such as memory, adaptive abilities, perception, praxis and language are typically disrupted as a result of neurological dysfunction. The unit relates to material taught in psychological assessment, professional practice, neuroanatomy and neuropsychopathology.

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 understanding of the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessment.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ways in which acquired brain damage can disrupt cognitive functioning
  • ULO3: Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of neuropsychological disorders, and how to identify these in a clinical setting
  • ULO4: Appropriately interpret neuropsychological test results including base rate analysis
  • ULO5: Demonstrate skills and responsibility in ethical practice

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 10% Yes Week 13
Interpretation of clinical data 20% No 22/03/22
Assessment Title Interpretation of neuropsychological test results. 20% No 03/05/22
Open book 90 minute examination 50% No 31/05/22
Case conference class participation 0% Yes 31/05/22

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Short essay demonstrating knowledge derived from Ethics Workshop

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills and responsibility in ethical practice

Interpretation of clinical data

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 22/03/22
Weighting: 20%

 

In 1750 words students are required to interpret and report on clinical data

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessment.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ways in which acquired brain damage can disrupt cognitive functioning
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of neuropsychological disorders, and how to identify these in a clinical setting
  • Appropriately interpret neuropsychological test results including base rate analysis

Assessment Title Interpretation of neuropsychological test results.

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 03/05/22
Weighting: 20%

 

Description In 1750 words, students are required to interpret and analyse test results

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessment.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ways in which acquired brain damage can disrupt cognitive functioning
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of neuropsychological disorders, and how to identify these in a clinical setting
  • Appropriately interpret neuropsychological test results including base rate analysis

Open book 90 minute examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 31/05/22
Weighting: 50%

 

Open book of six short answers questions in 90 minutes

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessment.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ways in which acquired brain damage can disrupt cognitive functioning
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of neuropsychological disorders, and how to identify these in a clinical setting
  • Appropriately interpret neuropsychological test results including base rate analysis

Case conference class participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 31/05/22
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Case conference class participation

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessment.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the ways in which acquired brain damage can disrupt cognitive functioning
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the key characteristics of neuropsychological disorders, and how to identify these in a clinical setting
  • Appropriately interpret neuropsychological test results including base rate analysis

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

Lectures and workshops

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2022.03 of the Handbook