Entry requirements
All 60 ec of the first-year in Psychology obtained.
Description
One in 5 people will suffer at some point in their life 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, effectiveness and efficiency. This requires clinical neuropsychologists to develop academic skills in accordance with the ‘scientist-practitioner’ 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
Semester 1: Lectures Work group sessions Exams
Semester 2: Lectures Work group sessions Exams
Registration
Course
Students need to register for lectures, workgroups and exams.
Instructions for registration in courses for the 2nd and 3rd year
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 (weblectures are available; English language)
8 2-hour work group sessions (attendance is mandatory; Dutch and English language)
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
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).
The examination consists of 40 multiple-choice and 5 essay questions. The examination covers both the book mentioned below and the lectures. The multiple-choice and essay questions are in English. The essay questions may be answered in Dutch or English.
In the first assignment students work with other students from their work group to create an informative video pitch on a neuropsychological disorder. In the second assignment students write an individual paper on a current (clinical) neuropsychological topic. The assignments may be prepared in Dutch or English.
Course passed = pass mark in the examination (minimum grade 5) + pass mark for work group session attendance (minimum attendance of 75%) + pass mark for the assignments (minimum grade 5) and a weighted average of 5,5 or higher.
The Institute of Psychology uses fixed rules for grade calculation and compulsory attendance. It also follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of these three policies.
Reading list
Kessels, R., Eling, P., Ponds, R., Spikman, J. & van Zandvoort, M. Clinical Neuropsychology. Boom Publishers Amsterdam, 2017. ISBN 9789089537591.
Contact information
Dr. Karin van der Hiele
Neuropsy@fsw.leidenuniv.nl