Students

PSYU3344 – Neuropsychology in Clinical Practice

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor/Lecturer
Jasmina Vrankovic
Lecturer
Melanie Porter
Lecturer
Jennifer Batchelor
Lecturer
Andrew Rock
Lecturer
Scott Barnes
Lecturer
Jamie Berry
Tutor
Keefe Ip
Tutor
Aishani Desai
Tutor
Alyssa Sher
Tutor
Jasmine Sandilant
Tutor
Holly Blackwell
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
20cp at 2000 level including (PSY236 or PSYU2236 or PSYX236 or PSYX2236) or (PSY246 or PSYU2246 or PSYX246 or PSYX2246) or (PSY247 or PSYU2247 or PSYX247 or PSYX2247) or (BIOL257 or BIOL2230) or (HLTH214 or ANAT2004) or (MEDI204 or MEDI2300)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to the academic disciplines of cognitive and clinical neuropsychology, and is taught by academic staff and practicing clinicians. Students will learn how research informs clinical practice, what can be gained from studying individual cases, and how scores on standardised tests can be interpreted. Successful completion of this unit gives students an understanding of normal and abnormal functional neuroanatomy, principles of neuropsychological assessment, and of common and uncommon manifestations of acquired and developmental brain injury. One of the learning objectives of this unit is to provide an insight into the profession of neuropsychology. This unit does not prepare students for clinical practice, but familiarises them with the scientist-practitioner role of a clinical neuropsychologist.

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 brain-behaviour relationships.
  • ULO2: Discuss the range of clinical applications of what we understand about the brain-behaviour relationship.
  • ULO3: Interpret data presented in research publications and evaluate the interpretations of others.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills through assessments and class-based discussions.
  • ULO5: Critically analyse relevant theories, models and empirical research in neuropsychology in clinical practice.

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100  

 

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

No further submissions will be accepted after the marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students. The final exam for this unit will occur on Macquarie University campus. Students are expected to make themselves available for the final exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. Sitting the final exam is compulsory in order to be eligible to pass the unit. Any student who does not attempt the final exam will be granted a Fail Absent grade.

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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Final Examination 50% No Exam Period
In Class mid-session test 25% No 2-4pm Monday 26th August
Essay 25% No 11:55pm Friday 27th September

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 41 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

Final examination comprising 40 multiple choice questions and 2 extended answer questions in 2 hours

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of brain-behaviour relationships.
  • Discuss the range of clinical applications of what we understand about the brain-behaviour relationship.
  • Interpret data presented in research publications and evaluate the interpretations of others.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills through assessments and class-based discussions.

In Class mid-session test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 2-4pm Monday 26th August
Weighting: 25%

 

In Class multiple choice test of 40 questions to be completed in 1 hour

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of brain-behaviour relationships.
  • Discuss the range of clinical applications of what we understand about the brain-behaviour relationship.
  • Interpret data presented in research publications and evaluate the interpretations of others.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 11:55pm Friday 27th September
Weighting: 25%

 

Students submit a 1500 word essay addressing issues relevant to clinical applications of brain behaviour relationships.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of brain-behaviour relationships.
  • Discuss the range of clinical applications of what we understand about the brain-behaviour relationship.
  • Interpret data presented in research publications and evaluate the interpretations of others.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills through assessments and class-based discussions.
  • Critically analyse relevant theories, models and empirical research in neuropsychology in clinical practice.

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

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of face-to-face learning activities, including lectures, tutorials, and readings. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Students can enroll in either an on-campus lecture (space permitting) or an online/live-streamed lecture classes. Tutorial classes all run on campus only. Students should not attend on-campus classes if you are unwell or have any cold and flu-like symptoms.

For general information on unit versions, see this website https://students.mq.edu.au/study/enrolling/choosing-units

Lectures

11 x 2-hour lectures

Mondays 2-4pm in 29WW T1 Lecture Theatre or online

Tutorials

6 x 2-hour tutorials held fortnightly via Stream A and B on campus 

Readings

Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. (2021). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology (8th ed.). Worth Publishers.

Available in e-Book via Macmillan Learning website with a 6-month or lifetime option. 

Discount code for Macmillan Learning store - please apply at checkout - 25%  -  JR2524RT

https://www.macmillanlearning.com/ed/au/product/Fundamentals-of-Human-Neuropsychology--8th-edition/p/1319383505

Hard copy available via Macmillan Learning website or online retailers like Booktopia

https://store.macmillanlearning.com/us/product/Fundamentals-of-Human-Neuropsychology/p/1319247164  

https://www.booktopia.com.au/fundamentals-of-human-neuropsychology-ie-brian-kolb/book/9781319383503.html

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

Week

Date

Lecture Topic

Lecturer

Reading

Tutorial

1

22 Jul

Introduction to Neuropsychology

Dr Jasmina Vrankovic

Ch. 1

 

2

29 Jul

Neuropsychological Assessment

Dr Jasmina Vrankovic

Ch. 28

Neuroanatomy (Stream A)

3

05 Aug

Paediatric Neuropsychology

A/Prof Melanie Porter

Ch. 24

Neuroanatomy (Stream B)

4

12 Aug

Traumatic Brain Injury

A/Prof Jennifer Batchelor

Ch. 26

Executive Functioning (Stream A)

5

19 Aug

Brain Tumours and Epilepsy  

Dr Jasmina Vrankovic

Ch. 26

Executive Functioning (Stream B)

6

26 Aug

Mid-Session Test

 

 

Visuospatial Disorders (Stream A)

7

02 Sep

Neuropsychology and Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Andrew Rock

Ch. 27

Visuospatial Disorders (Stream B)

8

09 Sep

Language Disorders

 

A/Prof Scott Barnes

Ch. 19

Amnesia (Stream A)

MID-SEMESTER BREAK

MID-SEMESTER BREAK

9

30 Sep

Addiction and its Rehabilitation

 

Dr Jamie Berry

Ch. 6

Amnesia (Stream B)

10

07 Oct

No class

(Labour Day Public Holiday)

 

 

Paediatric Neuropsychology (Stream A)

11

14 Oct

Stroke

Dr Jasmina Vrankovic

Ch. 26

Paediatric Neuropsychology (Stream B)

12

21 Oct

Dementia

Dr Jasmina Vrankovic

Ch. 27

Dementia (Stream A)

13

28 Oct

Neuropsychological Intervention

A/Prof Melanie Porter

Ch. 25

Dementia (Stream B)

 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
14/07/2024 Updated staff contacts and weekly schedule

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook