PC6005 - Clinical Neuroscience (2017/18)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2017/18 | ||||||||||||||||
Module title | Clinical Neuroscience | ||||||||||||||||
Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||||||
Running in 2017/18(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module allows students to develop and integrate their knowledge of biological psychology with reference to clinical disorders. The module will consider the neuropharmacological, neurophysiological and neuropsychological aspects of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as addiction, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Module aims
1. To provide a critical framework for evaluating the neuroscientific theories of psychiatric, behavioural and neurological disorders
2. To provide a detailed knowledge of evidence based approaches to understanding the aetiology and treatment of disorders.
3. To provide a forum in which data from humans and animals can be integrated
4. To encourage independent learning through the access of background information using appropriate primary and secondary sources
5. Develop competence in discussion, presentation material and written work, encouraging clarity of presentation, scientific rigour and conclusions
Syllabus
Topics such as neuroplasticity, memory, schizophrenia, addiction and developmental disorders will be discussed. Furthermore, the role of neuroscience in ethics, policy and law will be addressed with special reference to new and emerging technologies.
Learning and teaching
Acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter of this module will be promoted through lecturer-led lectures and workshops (81 hours) and through the guided use of student-centred learning resources (104 hours). Self managed time and private study (115 hours)
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate theoretical and the supporting/refuting empirical evidence for a variety of psychiatric, behavioural and neurological disorders
2. Conduct literature reviews and critically evaluate that literature.
3. Explain in a concise format the neuroscience of psychiatric, behavioural and neurological disorders
Assessment strategy
Summative assessment will be via an unseen examination of 2 hrs (25%) with topics identified 8 weeks prior to examination; a coursework component essay of 2500 words [not including reference list] (50%); and, a PowerPoint* presentation of 10 slides (25%).
Additional formative assessment can be gained from an in class test and web based tests.
Component | Percentage of Marks | Learning outcomes |
PowerPoint* presentation | 30 | 1,2,3 |
Essay (max 2500 words) | 50 | 1,2 |
2 hour unseen exam | 20 | 1,2 |
In course test | 0 | 1,3 |
*Or similar such software
Bibliography
Breedlove, S.M., N.V. Watson, and R. M.R., Biological Psychology: An Introduction to Behavioral, Cognitive, and Clinical Neuroscience 6th ed. 2010, Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
Chandler, C., Psychobiology. 2015, Chichester, Wiley Blackwell. [CORE]
Chandler, C., The Science of ADHD: A Guide for parents and Professionals. 2010, Oxford: Wiley Blackwell. 352.
Higgins, E.S. and M.S. George, The Neuroscience of Clinical Psychiatry: The Pathophysiology of Behavior and Mental Illness. 2007, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Kolb, B. and I.Q. Whishaw, Fundamental of Human Neuropsychology. 6th ed. 2008, New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Trimble, M.R. and M. George, Biological Psychiatry. 2010, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Online resources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015). Available: http://www.nida.nih.gov/.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2015).Available: http://www.nimh.nih.gov.
PubMed. (2015).Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2015). Available: http://www.nice.org.uk/.