Module: Psychopharmacology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychopharmacology
Module Code	PSY1039 (ITS: PSYC306)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	No Description
Seminars	2	No Description
Independent Study	101	Independent study and work on continuous assessment components
Directed learning	2	Final Exam
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11481	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Styliani Vlachou	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Oral Presentation - Critique of an Original Investigation Article	10%	n/a
Assignment	Written essay in psychopharmacology topics	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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, 626, 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, 824, 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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None