UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

PSY5107 Psychopathology B

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

PSY5107 Psychopathology B is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2027 in Semester 2 at Notting Hill. It needs PSY5106.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2027
Semester 2
Notting Hill
Assessment
Has an exam
and 2 other tasks
Workload
36 hours
per semester

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Requisites

Before PSY5107

Prerequisites

Pass these before you enrol.

After PSY5107

No unit lists PSY5107 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Must be enrolled in M6046.

Overview

This unit builds on the material covered in Psychopathology A by examining the nosology and clinical assessment of more complex mental health disorders. You will be introduced to psychopharmacology in clinical practice through a range of topics that includes drug classifications, psychedelics, psychoactive pharmaceuticals, management of neurodegenerative disorders, and psychotropic drugs used in psychiatry.

Key topics include pharmacokinetics, variability in response to drugs, chemical transmission, and the role of neuroreceptors. Learning and teaching activities in this unit will involve your participation in lectures, case discussions, and group activities. These activities are designed to foster your critical thinking skills and inform a more thorough understanding of specialised topics in mental health.

Offerings in 2027

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterNotting HillOn campus

Assessment

  • Psychopharmacology report - Pass/FailWrittenCompetency hurdle
    -
  • Clinical skills demonstration and Gibbs reflection - Pass/FailDemonstrationCompetency hurdle
    -
  • Diagnostic assessment and report based on DSM 5 criteria - Pass/FailExaminationCompetency 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. 1

    Apply knowledge of psychopathology, including the aetiology, progression, and sequelae of psychological disorders, with due consideration for the sociocultural context, to inform clinical practice.

  2. 2

    Evaluate basic concepts of psychopharmacology and psychotropic medications for clinical management of mental health disorders.

  3. 3

    Analyse the interaction between common psychotropic agents and major classes of neurotransmitters, and evaluate their respective roles in the management of mental health disorders.

  4. 4

    Develop clinically relevant reference documents for psychiatric agents or drugs of potential abuse by synthesising existing knowledge and evidence in the field.

  5. 5

    Demonstrate the scientist-practitioner approach to clinical practice through active participation and contributions to case discussions regarding formulation, diagnoses, and pharmacological management of mental health disorders.

  6. 6

    Conduct diagnostic assessments of moderate to severe psychological disorders, with varying levels of complexity, including risk of harm to self or others.

Workload and teaching

  • Seminars36 hours

Twelve seminars of three hours for a total of 36 hours.

Preparation / self-directed study: One hour per week for seminars  and twelve hours preparation for assessment tasks.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Ms Jessica Law
Unit Coordinators
Dr Carmel Sivaratnam

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for PSY5107?

You need PSY5106 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.

When is PSY5107 offered?

In 2027, PSY5107 runs in Semester 2 at Notting Hill.

How much work is PSY5107?

The handbook expects about 36 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does PSY5107 have an exam?

Yes, it has an exam, alongside 2 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
Psychology
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 4
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
2024202520262027