Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module PSYC3707: Applied Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology

Department: Psychology

PSYC3707: Applied Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology

Type Open Level 3 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • 60 credits from Level 2 Psychology

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module introduces the topics and skills associated with clinical neuropsychology. Students will be taught about symptoms and causes of some neurological and clinical conditions, as well as how this information could be used to guide diagnostic or treatment decisions. Students will also be introduced to a range of assessment and treatments and encouraged to think about evidence-based practice and how this can be tailored to individual service users.

Content

  • Specific examples of neurological symptoms, and how these inform our understanding of brain function and decisions regarding diagnosis/treatment.
  • Treatment management, frameworks of practice, and evidence-based practice.
  • Treatment of some specific clinical and neuropsychological conditions.
  • The module will also cover conceptual and historical issues in the practice of clinical psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Subject specific knowledge Detailed knowledge of applied clinical neuropsychology including current evidence, frameworks and research. Knowledge of how to assess a range of psychological symptoms / conditions. Understanding of treatment management, and evidence-based practice for the treatment of specific conditions.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately.
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills. Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, audio-visual materials, discussions and reading lists
  • These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and the skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
  • The examination will assess students' detailed subject knowledge via essays written in the examination
  • An assessment of the range, recency and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay
  • The use of group discussions will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
  • Lectures and discussions will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
  • The summative examination will assess students' written communication skills
  • A session with guest speakers (e.g., service users) will help students to understand real-world practice.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
2 hour lectures 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
2 hour revision lecture 1 1 Easter Term 2 hours 2
Preparation and Reading 78
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

None


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University