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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Psychopharmacology
Module Code PSYC306 (ITS) / PSY1039 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorStyliani Vlachou
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

To describe and explain the essentials of psychopharmacology, i.e., how psychoactive drugs interact with the body and the brain, and how psychoactive drugs are used to treat neuropsychological/psychiatric conditions and disorders

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the basic principles of psychopharmacology
2. Describe and revise the structure and function of the nervous system
3. Describe and revise the main principles of synaptic transmission and signal transduction
4. Describe and explain the symptoms and pharmacology of psychological/psychiatric disorders, as well as the actions of drugs used for their treatment
5. Identify, describe and explain the actions of drugs of abuse and other psychoactive drugs



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture20No Description
Seminars2No Description
Independent Study101Independent study and work on continuous assessment components
Directed learning2Final Exam
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction and Principles of Psychopharmacology (e.g., pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics)

Structure and Function of the Nervous System

Synaptic Transmission and Signal Transduction (i.e., chemical signalling by neurotransmitters and hormones)

Techniques in Neuropharmacology and Behavioural Pharmacology

Psychosis, Schizophrenia and Antipsychotic drugs

Affective/Mood Disorders and Antidepressants

Anxiety Disorders and Anxiolytics

Drug Abuse, Dependence and Addiction

Disorders of Reward, Drug Abuse and Their Treatment

Other Disorders (e.g., disorders of sleep and wakefulness, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -ADHD, dementia, etc.)

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment30% Examination Weight70%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PresentationOral Presentation - Critique of an Original Investigation Article10%n/a
AssignmentWritten essay in psychopharmacology topics20%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Elliott Ingersoll, Carl Rak: 2016, Psychopharmacology for mental health professionals: An Integrative Approach, 2nd, Cengage Learning, Boston, MA, 9781285845227
  • Claire D. Advokat, Joseph E. Comaty, Robert M. Julien: 2014, Julien's Primer of Drug Action, 13th, Worth Publishers, New York, NY, USA, 9781464111716
  • Stephen M. Stahl; with illustrations by Nancy Muntner; editorial assistant, Meghan M. Grady: 2013, Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications, 4th, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 978-110768646
  • R.H. Ettinger: 2010, Psychopharmacology, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 978-0136013068
  • Jerrold S. Meyer, Linda F. Quenzer: 2004, Psychopharmacology: drugs, the brain and behaviour, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, 978-0878935345
  • Stephen Stahl: 2014, Prescriber's Guide: Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology (Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology(PPR)), 5th, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 978-110767502
  • Stephen M. Stahl: 2011, Case Studies: Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 978-0521182089
  • Leonard Lichtblau: 2010, Psychopharmacology Demystified, Delmar Cengage Learning, Florence, KY, 978-1435427877
  • John D. Preston, James Johnson: 2011, Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple, 7th, MedMaster, Miami, FL, 978-1935660057
  • Jack R. Cooper, Floyd E. Bloom, Robert H. Roth: 2002, The biochemical basis of neuropharmacology, 8th, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 978-0195140088
Other Resources

None

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