Neuropsychopharmacology
36 Hours
One Semester or equivalent
Hawthorn
Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
Overview
This unit examines issues in neuropsychopharmacology. Students will study how drugs that act on nervous tissue alter behaviour and physiology. In particular, they will examine the effects of drugs and dietary supplements on brain chemistry and brain function in both healthy and diseased states.
Requisites
Prerequisites
NEU20006
NeurophysiologyMBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1
Rules
Pre-requisite
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
OR
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1 - Neuro
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-August-2027
31-October-2027
31-October-2027
Last self-enrolment date
15-August-2027
Census date
31-August-2027
Last withdraw without fail date
21-September-2027
Results released date
07-December-2027
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical basis underpinning the effects of drugs and nutrition on brain function, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in health and disease
- Critically apply a broad and deep knowledge of the scientific method in pharmaco-imaging
- Write advanced report on contemporary issues in studying the effects of drugs on brain and behaviour
- Evaluate scientific literature in neuropsychopharmacology through informed critical appraisal of published research
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Readings | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 7.50 | 12 weeks | 90 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 25% | 1,3,4 |
| Case Studies | Individual | 25% | 1,2,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 50% | 1,2,4 |
Content
- Basic principles of neuropsychopharmacology: routes of administration, pharmacokinetics, the blood-brain barrier and pharmacodynamics
- CNS stimulants and depressants
- Serotonin and mood and the hallucinogens
- Antipsychotics and Antidepressants
- Neuropsychopharmacology in Alzheimer’s disease
- Recreational drugs
- Anaesthetics and brain function
- Diet and brain function
- Dietary supplements and brain function
- Neuroimaging and neuropsychopharmacology
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.
