Students

PSYC761 – Advanced Issues in Physiological Psychology

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Jennifer Cornish
Contact via jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au
C3A 412
By Appointment
Convener
Sarah Baracz
Contact via 9850 4310
F9A 151
By Appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
This unit is also offered to Masters of Research Candidates
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:

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 50% No April 6, 2018
Research Presentation 35% No Weekly
Student Participation 15% No Weekly

Essay

Due: April 6, 2018
Weighting: 50%

Eight double-spaced pages (excluding reference list) in 12-point times new roman with a margin of 2.5 centimetres (rubric available on iLearn). Due 5pm on Friday 6th April via turnitin.

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Research Presentation

Due: Weekly
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 course lecturers.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Student Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 15%

Students are to ask one question during each weekly student presentation based on discussion and/or article.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers

Delivery and Resources

This unit is delivered as a weekly two hour workshop where contemporary research literature on a given topic will be presented and discussed. Information for the class is available on iLearn, however iLecture will not record information provided during the workshop.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 (February 28th): Review of Basic Physiological Psychology

 

Week 2 (March 7th): Anxiety Disorders

 

Week 3 (March 14th): Depression

 

Week 4 (March 21st): Substance Abuse

 

Week 5 (March 28th): Psychosis

 

Week 6 (April 4th): No Class (essay due 5pm on April 6 via turnitin)

 

Week 7 (April 11th): Autism Spectrum Disorder

 

Semester Break

 

Week 8 (May 2nd): Guest Lecture

 

Week 9 (May 9th): Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

 

Week 10 (May 16th): Gut Brain Axis and Stress

 

Week 11 (May 23rd): Alzheimer's Disease

 

Week 12 (May 30th): Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke

 

Week 13 (June 6th): Video and Discussion

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 shown in iLearn, 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.

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

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 - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Research Presentation

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

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

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

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

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

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Research Presentation

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 outcomes

  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Research Presentation
  • Student Participation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic data bases to search for papers in relevant topics
  • Written and oral communication skills: taking part in class discussions, and presenting papers
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Presentation
  • Student Participation

Changes since First Published

Date Description
20/02/2018 The year that the essay is due was updated to 2018. Apologies for the mistake!