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Psychopharmacology (NURS90012)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Term 1 - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of medications used in psychiatry and to examine the role of the psychiatric nurse in psychopharmacological treatments. The subject allows students to develop clinical skills in relevant assessments and interventions for clients receiving psychiatric medication.
Intended learning outcomes
- Analysing critically the effects of drugs on body processes across the lifespan
- Understanding the concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and neurotransmission and apply them to patients in mental health setting
- Examining the clinical implications for use and adverse effects of psychotropic medications.
- Critically evaluating the pharmacology of an individual psychotropic drug based on information about the drug class
- Developing comprehensive knowledge of psychotropic medications and apply this knowledge by planning appropriate health teaching strategies
- Examining the skills required to assess a person's reaction to the administration of psychotropic medications
- Evaluating the role of healthcare professionals in psychopharmacological treatments
Generic skills
- Problem-solving skills by involvement in online discussions and activities
- Critical thinking skills by reflecting on perspectives that are not easily synthesised into a biomedical tradition
- Analytical skills through critical appraisal of the literature and development of arguments within the set assignments
- Ability to work as a team member through involvement in discussions and activities with fellow students
- Well-developed writing skills by completion of the assessment tasks
- Time management skills by planning their work and submitting information by the required deadlines
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Case‐study analysis
| Week 2 | 20% |
Written assessment
| Week 5 | 40% |
Case‐study analysis (due assessment period)
| Week 7 | 40% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 1 - Online
Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 27 January 2020 Pre teaching requirements Students will familiarise themselves with the online platform which will provide an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and expected activities and behaviours. They will also be provided with information about studying online and informed about the University resources available to them. Teaching period 3 February 2020 to 29 March 2020 Last self-enrol date 28 January 2020 Census date 21 February 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 13 March 2020 Assessment period ends 5 April 2020
Time commitment details
Students are required to undertake 21 hours per week of online activities and further self-directed learning
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Psychiatric Drugs Explained & Evolve EBooks package by David Healy
Usher, K., Foster, K. & Bullock, S. (2009). Psychopharmacology for Health Professionals Elsevier: Australia
Bullock, S. & Manias, E. (2014) Fundamentals of pharmacology (7th ed.) Pearson Australia
Rang, H., Dale, M., Ritter, J. et.al. (2012) Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. (7th ed.) Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone
Recommended texts and other resources
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Advanced Nursing Course Master of Advanced Nursing Practice Course Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health) Course Graduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (Mental Health) - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022