Psychopharmacology Coursework - AH/NH

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Estimated Total Time Commitment 120 hours

Students must be enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Honours) or the Bachelor of Science (Honours) to complete this subject.

A basic knowledge of pharmacology / physiology

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will provide students with an introduction to medications used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The subject allows students to understand the biological basis of psychiatric disorders as derived from studies on the mechanism of action of the major classes of psychotropic medications.

Upon completion of this subject the student should be able to:

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of psychotropic medications their mechanism of action and side effects;
• Develop an understanding of the metabolism, pharmacokinetics and drug interaction potential of psychotropic medications;
• Develop critical skills in the evaluation of published material relating to the evaluation and use of psychotropic medications;
• Understand the fundamentals of the use of animal models in the development of psychotropic medications.

• Written Examination (combination multiple choice and short essays) June 75%
• Psychopharmacology Essay (1500 words) May 25%

Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology. Neuro-scientific Basis and Practical Applications, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press 2008

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Time management skills by planning and submitting work by the required deadlines.

To be awarded Honours with a specialisation in Psychiatry, students must successfully complete the following:

Semester 1
BIOM40001 Introduction to Biomedical Research (12.5 points)
PSYT40005 Psychiatry Research Project (25 points)
PSYT40007 Psychopharmacology Coursework - AH (12.5 points)

Semester 2
PSYT40006 Psychiatry Research Project (50 points)