PSY5106 Psychopathology A
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PSY5106 Psychopathology A is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Notting Hill. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1
- Notting Hill
- Assessment
- Has an exam
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 33 hours
- per semester
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review PSY5106.
Requisites
Before PSY5106
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After PSY5106
4 units list PSY5106 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in M6046.
Overview
In this unit, you will develop a foundational knowledge of psychopathology and high prevalence psychiatric disorders, with a focus on the core clinical skills required for effective mental health practice: clinical assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. There is a strong emphasis on integrating theory with clinical practice throughout this unit. You will participate in a range of teaching and learning activities including weekly seminars, clinical skills practice, and self-reflection exercises. These activities are designed to complement clinical training activities and other coursework units, and to support professional engagement with the community.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Notting Hill | Immersive |
Assessment
- Client evaluation report & mental status examination (written submission max. 1000 words) Pass/FailWrittenCompetency hurdle-
- Psychopathology evaluation report (written submission 2000 words and 4 pages maximum) Pass/FailWrittenCompetency hurdle-
- Demonstration & reflection: Clinical interviewing skills ( written - 500-750 words) Pass/FailDemonstrationCompetency hurdle-
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe and discuss major classes of psychiatric illness based on DSM-5 nosology and emerging trends for diagnosis.
- 2
Synthesise clinical information and related literature into a concise and contemporary written evaluation of selected psychiatric disorders.
- 3
Conduct a psychiatric clinical interview to assess and differentiate between high prevalence psychiatric disorders.
- 4
Observe and document Mental State Examination (MSE).
- 5
Critically analyse and reflect on psychological knowledge to inform diagnostic assessment, clinical evaluation, and ongoing professional development needs.
Workload and teaching
- Applied sessions2 hours
- Seminars33 hours
Eleven seminars of three hours for a total of 33 hours.
One asynchronous applied session of two hours that utilises video resources of clinical interviews focused on mental status examination, assessment of risk, and high prevalence disorders. This material will consolidate learning from synchronous delivery.
Preparation / self-directed study: One hour per week for seminars, two hours for the applied session and twelve hours preparation for assessment tasks.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Clare Kempnich
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Jessica Law
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PSY5106?
PSY5106 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PSY5106?
PSY5106 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including PSY5107, PSY5205, PSY5206 and PSY5301.
When is PSY5106 offered?
In 2027, PSY5106 runs in Semester 1 at Notting Hill.
How much work is PSY5106?
The handbook expects about 33 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does PSY5106 have an exam?
Yes, it has an exam, alongside 2 other tasks.