Studiegids

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Neuroscience (Clinical assessment and treatment)

Vak
2010-2011

NB Language spoken in course is Dutch unless English-speaking students participate

Admission requirements

Clinical assessment en treatment: general introduction

Description

The Neuroscience specialization of the course Clinical assessment and treatment focuses on the relationship between brain and behavior in children. Central to the Neuroscience specialization is a neuropsychological model which explains how the relation between brain and behavior is mediated by neuropsychological functions. The model provides a means to explain how brain pathology can lead to behavioral problems. The course teaches the fundamentals of neuroscience, the development of the neuronal system, and the important aspects of neuropsychological functions. Special attention will be given to the etiology, assessment, and treatment of disorders that are related to brain pathology, such as psychiatric disorders (e.g. ADHD, autism), neurological disorders (e.g. acquired brain injury), and genetic syndromes (e.g. Klinefelter Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis).

Course objectives

  • Knowledge of the fundamentals of neuroscience and neurosystem development.

  • Knowledge of the neuropsychological functions, the brain systems they relate to, and the behavioral correlates.

  • Insight into processes leading to brain pathology and the mechanisms of influence of neuropathology on neuropsychological functions.

  • Knowledge of the etiology, assessment and treatment of brain disorders that affect behavior.

  • Scientific writing skills.

  • Oral presentation skills.

Achievement levels: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-19.

Timetable

Timetable

Mode of instruction

The course includes nine lectures, writing of a paper, and participation in a symposium during which the papers will be presented by the students.

Assessment method

Written exam, paper and presentation.
The paper and presentation includes pass/fail grading. The final exam includes essay questions.

Paper
A scientific paper concerning neuropsychological aspects of a particular brain disorder. Writing of a paper occurs in groups of three students, starting at commencement of the course. Students choose a subject from a list of subjects which is presented during the first lecture. The paper includes (at most) five pages (excl. title page, table of contents, and reference list), line space at 1.5. Literature search is performed by the students and needs to result into a minimum of 80% English-language, peer-reviewed articles.

The paper is graded in a pass/fail manner; in case of a fail situation there will be opportunity for re-examination. A second fail requires re-examination in the following year. A passing grade provides entry to the symposium.

Symposium
Oral presentations during the symposium will be done in groups of three students. Each student attends the entire symposium day. All students have a clear contribution to the presentation. The total duration of the presentation is approximately 35 minutes, comprising 25 minutes presentation and 10 minutes of questions and discussion.
Each group-member needs to achieve a pass grade. If one of the presenters receives a fail grade, the whole group needs to redo the presentation during a re-examination symposium.

Blackboard

Detailed information is provided on Blackboard. It is of great importance to consult this information.

Reading list

  • Deelman B.G., Eling P., Haan E. de, Zomeren E. van (eds). (2004, 6e herziene druk). Klinische neuropsychologie. Amsterdam: Boom. (ISBN: 90-5352-975-6)

  • Anderson, V., Northam E., Hendy J., Wrennal J. (2002). Developmental Neuropsychology, a clinical approach. Psychology Press. (ISBN: 0-86377-705-8)

Registration

Please note that separate uSis registration is mandatory for lectures, seminars, exam and re-exam.

  • Registration for the lectures of the course is possible as of two months through one week before the first lecture at the latest;

  • Registration for the seminars of the course is possible as of two months through one week before the first lecture at the latest;

  • Registration for the exam is possible as of two months through one week before the exam at the latest;

  • Registration for the re-exam is possible as of two months through one week before the re-exam at the latest.

Students who don’t register cannot attend classes or take the (re)exam.

Contact information

Co-ordinator of the course is dr. K.B. van der Heijden.