Prospectus

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Clinical Neuropsychology

Course
2015-2016

Entry requirements

First-year examination in Psychology

Description

One in 5 people will suffer at some point in their live from a brain disorder such as autism, encephalitis, cerebral confusion, a stroke, epilepsy, schizophrenia or dementia. Patients with a (suspected) brain disorder are often referred to a clinical neuropsychologist. Neuropsychologists specialise in the quantitative mapping of the nature, severity and development of cognitive (concentration disorders, forgetfulness, aphasia, etc.), emotional and behavioural disorders (personality change, depression, etc.) and their treatment and management. Clinical neuropsychologists also need a sound knowledge of the structure, and functioning of the healthy (developing) and diseased brain and what affects it. Clinical neuropsychology is developing into an increasingly evidence-based practice that focuses on quality improvement, efectiveness and efficiency. This requires clinical neuropsychologists to develop academic skills in accordance with the ‘scientific-practicioner’ model.

Course objectives

Students will acquire:

  • An understanding of the broad work field of clinical neuropsychologists and the ability to apply this understanding. The focus lies on knowledge of various neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, their underlying pathology, as well as the methods and techniques used to diagnose and treat them;

  • Knowledge of the functional neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neurophysiology and neuropathophysiology; and

  • Oral and written skills that allow them to present a current (clinical) neuropsychological theme/topic.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme.
Psychology timetables

Registration

Course

Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year

For information on registration periods consult the bachelor course registration

Elective

Elective students have to enroll for each course separately. For admission requirements contact your study advisor.

Exchange/Study abroad

For admission requirements, please contact your exchange coordinator

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour lectures and 7 compulsory 2-hour work group sessions.
The lectures cover a combination of neuropsychological theory and its application to clinical and/or academic practice. The work group sessions – which represent a broadening/deepening of the lectures – cover the following aspects: patient demonstrations (including video case-based reasoning), practising neuropsychological interventions, and recent scientific developments in the field of neuropsychology.

Assessment method

Examination in English, consisting of 40 multiple-choice (70% of the grade) and 5 essay questions (30% of the grade) on the book and lectures. Chapters 1, 2, 11, 12, 17, 21 are, 22 are not included in the examination.

The final mark consists of the mark for the examination (60%; minimum mark 5) and the average mark for 2 assignments (40%; minimum mark 5). In the first assignment they must write an individual paper on a current (clinical) neuropsychological topic. In the second they work with other students from their work group to create an informative info clip on a neuropsychological disorder. Both assignments are published on Blackboard during the course.

Course passed = pass mark in the examination (minimum grade 5) + pass mark for work group session attendance + pass mark for the assignments (minimum grade 5) and a weighted average of 5,5 or higher.

Regulations on grade calculations

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Kolb, B & Whishaw, IQ. (2008). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. (6th edition). ISBN: 0-7167-9586-8.

Contact information

Dr. Karin van der Hiele
Neuropsy@fsw.leidenuniv.nl