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 2026 in Semester 2 at Notting Hill. It needs PSY5106.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Notting Hill
- Assessment
- Has an exam
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 36 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PSY5107
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After PSY5107
No unit lists PSY5107 as a prerequisite in the 2026 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 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Notting Hill | On 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
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
Evaluate basic concepts of psychopharmacology and psychotropic medications for clinical management of mental health disorders.
- 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
Develop clinically relevant reference documents for psychiatric agents or drugs of potential abuse by synthesising existing knowledge and evidence in the field.
- 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
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 2026, 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.