This course focuses on the investigation of cognitive structures and processes through assessment and treatment of patients following brain injury.
In the first half of the course, you will have the opportunity to learn about, discuss, and evaluate methods including neuroimaging, neuropsychological testing, computational modelling of cognitive processes, and inferring cognitive modularity from dissociations between impairments.
In the second half of the course, the specific focus will be on patterns of impaired performance in patients who, following brain injury, have disorders of perception and cognition – visual and somatosensory attention, memory, and executive functions.
Topics will include: anosognosia and other delusions, autobiographical memory, unilateral visuospatial neglect, and neuropsychological rehabilitation.
The lectures will be matched to laboratory classes, in which you will learn to administer neuropsychological tests, design and conduct experiments, and gain the skills required to move confidently into clinical and academic research.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the importance of the scientific method in advancing psychological knowledge.
- Critically analyse and discuss the neural basis of selected psychological processes, and critically evaluate the empirical evidence.
- Have an in-depth understanding of the clinical research tools used to recommend treatment for neuropsychological disorders that occur following brain injury, such as disorders of visual and somatosensory attention, memory, and executive functions.
- Research, integrate, and effectively communicate knowledge in the field at an advanced level.
- Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of the various methodological approaches and be able to design their own experiments, thus moving to independent research.
Indicative Assessment
- Laboratory Quizzes (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Laboratory Class Presentation (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Mid-Semester Examination (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final Examination (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component, which may consist of 2 hours of lectures per week and 4 x 3-hour laboratory classes spread across the semester. Please Note: Laboratory classes are reflected in the timetable as computer labs and practical classes. When you register on Wattle for your laboratory classes, you only need to register for one (either computer labs or practical classes) because registering for one will automatically put you in both classes.
- Approximately 94 hours of self-study, which will include preparation for lectures, laboratory classes, and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Psychology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There is no textbook for this course. Required readings (and supplementary readings) will consist of journal articles and book chapters, which will be assigned weekly by the lecturer.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3538 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | N/A |
