2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PSYC3403 Joint Honours/Intercalated Programme: Psychological Disorders
10 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Prof Anna Madill
Email: a.l.madill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
The tutorial associated with this module is linked with material covered in Advanced Social Psychology (PSYC3404).Objectives
This module aims to provide in depth coverage of key concepts in 'psychological disorders'.The module will be taught by a team of experts in the subject.
Students will continue to develop their knowledge of this discipline with particular emphasis on the research expertise of the module team.
Learning outcomes
This module, which exploits the specific research interests and skills of two senior members of academic staff, introduces students to issues surrounding the definition, diagnosis and classification of mental disorder, and presents an overview of psychological theories and treatments for depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. It also builds extensively upon material introduced in Level 2 Biological Psychology, including gross neuroanatomy, neuron structure and function, the principles of psychopharmacology and, crucially, the role of stress in mental disorder. Particular attention is paid to the applied aspects of psychopharmacology with a strong emphasis on the empirical and theoretical bases for the pharmacotherapy of mental disorder.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. understand the DSM system for classifying psychological disorders.
2. explain the different models for understanding psychological disorders and their inter-relationships.
3. describe the signs and symptoms of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.
4. review & critically evaluate the major psychological theories/therapies for these disorders.
5. review & critically evaluate the major biochemical theories/pharmacotherapies for these disorders.
In addition, students will be able to provide a brief written critique of relevant published work.
Skills outcomes
Successful completion of the module will encourage the development of skills in the critical analysis of relevant published research, and in literature search.
Syllabus
The module will cover the following topics:
1. Classification and models of psychological disorder
2. Biological approach to mental disorder; neurons & how they work
3. Drug action in the CNS, & general research strategies
4. Psychological approaches to depression
5. Biochemistry & pharmacology of depression
6. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
7. Psychological approaches to anxiety
8. Biochemistry & pharmacology of anxiety
9. Psychological approaches to schizophrenia
10. Biochemistry & pharmacology of schizophrenia
Students should also be able to effectively communicate themes and arguments in Psychological Disorders.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Private study hours | 78.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
50 hours: 10 x 5 hours reading per lecture25 hours: examination preparation
3.5 hours: tutorial preparation
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Submission of the coursework (500-word assignment) is compulsory to pass this module.MCQs tapping the content of prior lectures will be presented in-class so that students can monitor their own progress. Correct answers will be explained by the lecturer in class after students have, privately, scored their own answers. This will take place during lectures 4, 6 and 7 with each test planned to take 20 minutes.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course MCQ | . | 0.00 |
| In-course MCQ | . | 0.00 |
| Critique | 500 word assignment - compulsory | 20.00 |
| In-course MCQ | . | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20.00 | |
The coursework is a compulsory component of the module assessment.
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 80.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 01/04/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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