Module PPP-4010:
Clinical Neuropsychology

Module Facts

Run by School of Psychology

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr David Carey

Overall aims and purpose

Aims The module will introduce students to the principles of neuropsychological assessment, provide an understanding of the pathophysiology of common diseases causing neuropsychological disability, and a foundation in functional neuroanatomy and neurological localisation relevant to the practice of clinical neuropsychology. It will also introduce students to neuropsychological disorders frequently encountered in clinical practice such as amnesia, aphasia, neglect, visuospatial impairment, agnosia, alexia, apraxia, and dysexecutive disorders.

Course content

Introduction to the Course DC Neuroanatomy and neuroscience review DC Neuropathology DC and RC Neuropsychological Assessment DC, OT and RC Parietal lobes DC Frontal lobes OT Memory OT Language DC Neurorehabilitation RC

DC – Dr. David Carey RC – Dr. Rudi Coetzer OT – Prof. Oliver Turnbull

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area clarity of argument and expression. Evidence provided from lecture material as well as reading. Depth of insight into disgnosis, assessment and classification.

good

Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Well organised and structured. Good understanding of the material with few errors but less evidence of clear understanding.

threshold

Adequate answer to the question, largely based on lecture material. No real development of arguments, evidence of insight, or extra reading.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology of common neurological diseases (including stroke and traumatic brain injury) causing neuropsychological disability, and the ability to integrate this knowledge for generating hypotheses guiding neuropsychological assessment.

  2. Describe the purpose of neuropsychological assessment, and review potential pitfalls in interpreting assessment data.

  3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of functional neuroanatomy relevant to neuropsychological disorders.

  4. Demonstrate the ability to integrate information from the neurological history and examination to generate hypotheses guiding neuropsychological assessment.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Mid Term Exam 30.00
Final Exam 70.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Workshop

Neuroanatomy tutorial

 4
Lecture

Weekly lecture across semester.

 33
Private study

Students can expect to undertake 10 hours of self-study with regard to this module, each week throughout semester. Self-study will include reading and preparation for assessments.

 163

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
  • Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
  • Retrieve and organise information effectively.
  • Handle primary source material critically.
  • Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
  • Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
  • Understand and investigate the role of brain function in all human behaviour and experience.
  • Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
  • Use a range of statistical methods with confidence.
  • Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.

Resources

Courses including this module