2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PSYC3403 Joint Honours/Intercalated Programme: Psychological Disorders
10 creditsClass Size: 48
Module manager: Prof Anna Madill
Email: a.l.madill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successful completion of Level 1 & 2 Medicine or Dentistry MChD or BChD or Successful completion of all pass for progression modules in Level 2 of BA Philosophy, Psychology & Scientific thought (and its International and Industrial variants)This module is mutually exclusive with
| PSYC2503 | Psychological Disorders |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
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 1 Biological Psychology. 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.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
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.
6. critically reflect on ethics beyond research.
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 literature selection, and in the critical analysis of relevant published research.
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, and drug action in the CNS, & general research strategies
3. Consideration of ethics beyond research
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 |
| Drop-in Session | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 3 | 0.50 | 1.50 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.50 | 15.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Private study hours | 81.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 18.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
40 hours: 10 x 4 hours preparation for each lecture10 hours: preparation for mid-module MCQ
27.5 hours: preparation for the mid-semester critique and end of semester exam
4 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 2, 4 and 8 with each test planned to take 30 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 |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr 00 mins | 80.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80.00 | |
The exam will consist of two parts. Essay questions (50% of module mark) and MCQs (30%)
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/04/2023 14:59:39
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