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 and psychiatric disorders, their underlying pathology, as well as the methods and techniques used to diagnose and treat them;
Knowledge of the neurocognitive domains and associated impairments
Oral and written skills that allow them to present a current (clinical) neuropsychological theme/topic.
Timetable
For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable
This course is offered twice a year.
Registration
Education
Students must register themselves for all course components (lectures, tutorials and practicals) they wish to follow. You can register up to 5 days prior to the start of the course. The exception here is that first-year bachelor students are assigned and registered for all components in the first semester or academic year by the administration of their bachelor programme. The programme will communicate to these students for which course components and for which period the registration applies.
Exams
It is mandatory for all students, including first-year bachelor students, to register for each exam and to confirm registration for each exam in My Studymap. This is possible up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the examination. You cannot take an exam without a valid pre-registration and confirmation in My Studymap.
Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.
Students who take this course as part of a LDE minor or a premaster programme, exchange students and external guest students will be informed by the education administration about the current registration procedure.
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 and required reading – cover the following aspects: practicing neuropsychological diagnostics and interventions, patient demonstrations (including video case-based reasoning), neuroanatomy, and recent scientific developments in the field of neuropsychology. Students are required to present (1) about brain structures in relation to neurocognitive disorders and (2) about the neuropsychological consequences of neurological disorders, including a student-led discussion on a controversial theme.
Assessment method
The final mark consists of the mark for the examination (60%; minimum mark 5) and an assignment mark (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.
For the graded assignment students write a paper on a current (clinical) neuropsychological topic with another student.
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 assignment (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.
Information about the post-exam consultation will become available on Brightspace after the examination.
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