Skip to main content
Unit outline_

BACH5321: Introduction to Neuropsychology for Practice

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives, concepts and vocabulary of psychology. Psychology is concerned with the science of human behaviour - how individuals perceive, think about, and behave in the world. It is concerned with identifying how internal determinants (characteristics unique to the person, and part of physical or psychological make-up) and external determinants (physical environment and social context) impact upon the individual. It is also concerned with the way in which people change over time, as well as explaining and predicting what they might do at any one time. The unit aims to position psychology as an essential ingredient in understanding health behaviour. This unit is only available to students who have no undergraduate studies in psychology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Participation Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Erin Fearn-Smith, erin.fearnsmith@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Erin Fearn-Smith, erin.fearnsmith@sydney.edu.au
Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Erin Fearn-Smith, erin.fearnsmith@sydney.edu.au
Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Case presentation
Recorded presentation and written summary based on clinical case studies
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Jun 2024 at 23:59
See Canvas for details
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small test Quizzes
MCQ
25% Multiple weeks 5x quizzes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Psychological principles through the lifespan
Extended response
40% Week 09
Due date: 28 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO2

Assessment summary

 

  • Quizzes: Scientific approaches and methodologies used to understand human behaviour. Assessment of knowledge regarding different but complementary approaches and methodologies used in psychology and neuroscience to understand human behaviour. 
  • Extended response: Psychological principles through the lifespan. Demonstrate understanding of psychological constructs and mental processes describing and explaining human behaviour: perception and sensation, memory, consciousness, emotion, motivation, cognition, & learning.
  • Recorded verbal presentation and written summary: Based on clinical case studies. Apply knowledge from neuroscience and psychology to answer practice questions relating to diagnosis, etiology and prognosis in health.  

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The discipline of psychology - history, methods and constructs Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Great debates; Ethics in research Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Learning; Sensation and Perception Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Learning in different contexts; Illusions and differences in perception Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 03 Cognition and language; Memory Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Vocabulary; Working memory, and debates in memory Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 04 Personality, motivation and emotion; Social behaviour Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Personality tests; Prejudice, bullying, psychic numbing Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 Lifespan Development - Childhood Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Childhood learning; Resilience Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 06 Lifespan development - Adolescence and Adulthood Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Risk-related behaviours in young people and older people Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 07 Stress and Coping; Psychopathology and Psychological Interventions Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Coping styles, carer burden, lived experience Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 08 Neuroanatomy for clinical practice – terms, methods, scope Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Applications of neuroanatomy in clinical practice Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Regional neuroanatomy Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Clinical applications of regional neuroanatomy Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Functional neuroanatomy Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Clinical applications of functional neuroanatomy Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Central nervous system development Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Typical and atypical central nervous system development Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Central nervous system disorders Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Common central nervous system disorders arising from injury and disease Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Neuroclinical practice across the lifespan Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Neuroclinical practice in rehabilitation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements: This unit is delivered via e-learning. As per University policy, participation in lectures and tutorials is expected with 90% minimum participation required.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings are available on Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Delineate the disciplines of psychology and neuroscience as independent, yet complementary approaches to the scientific understanding of human behaviour.
  • LO2. Describe methodical approaches used in psychology and/or neuroscience to understand human behaviour.
  • LO3. Demonstrate understanding of neuroanatomical structures and neuro-physiological processes related to human behaviour.
  • LO4. Apply knowledge to answer practice questions relating to diagnosis, etiology and prognosis in health conditions and neuropsychological approaches to practice in rehabilitation across the lifespan.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Unit reviewed to align with accreditation requirements. Student feedback has informed lecture delivery structure.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.