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Biological Psychology & Pharmacotherapy (PSYC90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)
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
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will provide students with an introduction to medications used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The subject allows students to understand the biological basis of psychiatric disorders as derived from studies on the mechanism of action of the major classes of psychotropic medications.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of this subject, students should:
- Develop an understanding of drugs of abuse, their effects and putative mode of action.
- Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the classes of psychotropic medications;
- Have some understanding of the pharmacological basis of the mechanism of action of psychotropic medications and their common side effects;
- Develop an appreciation of the indications for the use of psychotropic medications;
Skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- Demonstrate skills in the critical evaluation of published material relating to the evaluation and use of psychotropic medications.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Integrate their understanding of psychotropic medications and their use and actions with their knowledge of psychopathology and treatment planning.
Generic skills
Time management skills by planning and submitting work by the required deadlines.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PSYC90003 | Research Proposal | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
PSYC90006 | Basic Interventions | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90007 | Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90009 | Individual and Cultural Diversity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90011 | Introduction to Assessment and Diagnosis | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90015 | Advanced Psychopathology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90023 | Child Psychopathology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90027 | Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90029 | Graduate Research Methods | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90030 | Principles of Psychological Assessment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
PSYC90031 | Adult Psychopathology | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Completion of APAC approved psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level.
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 |
---|---|---|
An essay of up to 1500 words on a set topic
| Mid semester | 60% |
A written examination comprising short answer and multiple choice questions
| End of semester | 40% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Lisa Phillips Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1.5 hours of lectures/seminars per week for 12 weeks Total time commitment 85 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
85 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
No prescribed texts.
Recommended texts and other resources
The following volumes are useful for consultation during the course:
Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology, 3rd Edition Cambridge University Press; SM Stahl
Introduction to Neuropsychopharmacology, Oxford University Press; Iversen, Iversen, Bloom, Roth
Therapeutic Guidelines: Psychotropic; Therapeutic Guidelines Limited.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Last updated: 3 November 2022