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PSYCHOLOGY 473 A1– Advanced Topics in Neuroscience Seminars in Biological Psychiatry
Fall 2019 – MWF 3:00-3:50 PM ECHA L1-220 Instructor: Dr. Matthew Churchward
Office: Clinical Sciences Building 12-103B Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: M/F 2:00-2:45 PM, or by appointment
TA: Erin Scully
Email: [email protected]
Prerequisites: One of PSYCO 371, 375, 377 or 478
Course Description:
This course will examine our current understanding of a number of human psychiatric disorders, from clinical and behavioural features to neurological, biochemical, and genetic changes, with a focus on emerging research into biomarkers, novel therapeutics and laboratory models of disease.
Course Objectives:
The overall objective of this course is to expand the students’ understanding of the relationship between pathological behaviour and biological changes in the human brain with a focus on psychiatric disorders. Students will be expected to gain knowledge of the current and historic research models and techniques that have led to our understanding of psychiatric disorders and to critically evaluate basic neuroscience research as it applies to the neuropathology and treatment of psychiatric disorders. Students will develop their scientific communication skills through presentation and critical discussion of topical research studies. Through the term each student will be assigned a journal article relating to clinical or biological research into one of the disorders studied which they will then present to the class (15-20 minute Powerpoint-style presentation) followed by a group discussion and critical analysis (25% of mark). Students will also be evaluated on their participation through a brief critique of each presented paper (15% of mark). A midterm exam (25%
of mark) and comprehensive final exam (35% of mark) will evaluate the lecture material.
Recommended Resources:
There is no required textbook for this course, however reading lists of original research and review articles will be provided for each unit. The course will frequently refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) which is available online through the UofA library.
http://dsm.psychiatryonline.org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca//book.aspx?bookid=556
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Grade Evaluation:
Marks will be calculated at the end of the term as a percentage and converted to a 4-point/letter grade as outlined below:
94+ A+ A
89-93 A-
84-88 B+
79-83 B
74-78 B-
69-73 C+
65-68 C
60-64 C-
56-59 D+
51-55 D
45-50 F
< 45 This grade translation is approximate; the instructor reserves the right to use expert judgment to adjust the grades as necessary. This course will not be graded on a curve. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Evaluation:
Presentation (25% of grade): Each student will be assigned an original research article relating to the course material, and will be responsible for presenting a critique to the class. In 15-20 minutes, the student should introduce the topic and highlight the deficits the authors intend to address (identify the research question), summarize the authors’
hypothesis, introduce the methods used in the study, discuss the experimental results and main findings and provide a critique of the study. Some points to consider for a critique include (not exhaustive!):
Does the data convincingly support the authors’ conclusions?
Are the methods used appropriate to address the hypothesis?
Are the experiments adequately controlled?
Have the authors used appropriate statistics to support their data?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the study?
A representative critique presentation will be scheduled in class early in the term.
In-class critiques and participation (15% of grade): Each student is expected to read all of the assigned articles presented by their peers in class and participate in the subsequent discussion. A brief written critique (see attached example form) will be handed in at the start of each presentation for a pass/fail completion mark (each worth 0.5%).
Completion of 20 critiques will make up the maximum 10% of class mark, the remaining 5% will be assigned by the instructor for in-class participation in discussion of the assigned readings.
Midterm (25% of grade) and Comprehensive final exam (35% of grade)
Representative exam material will be made available on eClass prior to the midterm exam.
Tentative Lecture Schedule:
Lectures Student Presentations
Date Topic Date Topic
Sept. 2 – 18 Depression Sept. 27 – Oct. 2 Student presentations – Depression Sept. 20 – Oct. 9 Schizophrenia Oct. 11 – 18 Student presentations – Schizophrenia Oct. 25 – Nov. 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder Nov. 4 – 8 Student presentations – ASD
Nov. 18 – 27 Anxiety disorders Nov. 29 – Dec. 4 Student presentations – Anxiety
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Important dates
October 14 Thanksgiving (no classes) October 21 Midterm Review
October 23 Midterm
Nov 11 – 15 Reading week (no classes) December 6 Last day of classes - review
Exams:
Weight Tentative Date Mid-term Exam 25% Wed. October 23, 3PM (in-class) Final Exam 35% TBA
WARNING: Students are responsible for verifying exam dates on Beartracks when the official Final Exam Schedule is posted. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Both the mid-term and final exams will be based on the material presented in lecture. The final exam will be cumulative but will emphasize material from the latter half of the course. Both exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments:
A student who cannot write a midterm examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply to have the weight of the midterm deferred to the final exam, or an extension of time for a missed assignment. A student is required to notify the instructor within 48 hours of a missed exam to arrange a deferral. For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request. Every effort will be made to reschedule a missed in-class presentation however please consider that there is limited class time in the term.
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted.
Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination:
A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working days of the missed examination and must be supported by appropriate documentation or a Statutory Declaration
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=4939#Attendance). Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred final exams will be written Wednesday January 8, 2020 at 2PM in Clinical Sciences 12-102.
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Student Responsibilities:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars. Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services - SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility-related
accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SSDS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations.
Contact SSDS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the 2019-2020 University Calendar.
Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Note: Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.
COPYRIGHT 2019 Dr. Matthew Churchward
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta
5 PSYCO 473 Fall 2019
Critique 1
Paper (e.g. Smith et al 2012):
In one sentence summarize the hypothesis of the study:
In one sentence summarize the authors’ main findings:
As a reviewer, would you recommend publication (circle)?
Briefly justify your decision:
Critique 2
Paper (e.g. Smith et al 2012):
In one sentence summarize the hypothesis of the study:
In one sentence summarize the authors’ main findings:
As a reviewer, would you recommend publication (circle)?
Briefly justify your decision:
Name:
Student ID:
Date:
Yes Major Revisions No
Yes Major Revisions No