Course Outline
MHN701 Mental Health and Neuroscience: Translational Research
Course Coordinator:Christina Driver (cdriver@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology
2024Semester 1
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Across the lifespan mental disorders differ in their onset, type, and complexity. Current diagnostic approaches and treatments remain limited and (in some aspects) lacking. In this course you will focus on translational research to better understand disorders and optimal treatments, and how the latest scientific research findings are put into practice. You will explore recent and novel approaches to diagnosis, such as staging models, and treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and EEG neurofeedback.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Online | |||
| Online – The online activities will include a variety of asynchronous, interactive learning materials, and options for lecturer and peer to peer collaborations, and lecturer and peer zoom drop-ins. | 3hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Course Topics
- What is translational research
- An overview of mental health disorders across the lifespan
- Traditional classification systems for mental health disorders
- Alternate and emerging classification systems for mental health disorders
- An overview of current treatment approaches to mental health disorders
- An introduction to novel treatment approaches to mental health disorders
What level is this course?
700 Level (Specialised)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
| 1 | Interpret and communicate the neuroscientific evidence base surrounding mental health disorders, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. | Knowledgeable |
| 2 | Critically appraise the current diagnostic approaches to mental health conditions and mental health and substance use disorders across the lifespan. | Creative and critical thinker |
| 3 | Synthesise themes within mental health and substance use disorders to develop a different perspective. | Creative and critical thinker |
| 4 | Provide meaningful and constructive feedback when undertaking peer review processes. | Ethical |
| 5 | Communicate neuroscience to a broad audience incorporating appropriate skills relevant to presentation genre. | Empowered |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
This course is only available to students enrolled in AR503, AR602, or AR706
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
You will be provided with multiple opportunities to gain early formative feedback relevant to your first assessment task by engaging with your learning materials. These include interactive self-check activities in the modules, posting responses to discussion forums and responding to your practice activities in the indicated manner. In addition, you will have the opportunity to request a Zoom consult, along with submitting an early draft of your first assessment item.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Artefact - Professional | Individual | 30% | 1600 words |
Week 6 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 2 | Written Piece | Individual | 40% | 1500 words perspectives piece AND 1000 words peer review. |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Oral and Written Piece | Individual | 30% | 15-20 minutes |
Exam Period | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Information Pamphlets | |
| Goal: | The goal is to interpret and use neuroscientific evidence to inform and raise awareness of mental health disorders that are experienced at various stages of life. |
| Product: | Artefact - Professional |
| Format: | You will communicate the current neuroscience underpinning a range of different disorders, occurring at different stages in the lifespan. You will present your evidence in a set of information pamphlets according to the guidelines that will be provided, to inform the general public. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Perspectives Piece | |
| Goal: | The goal is to critically appraise and synthesise current literature in the context of mental health diagnosis, treatment and the classification systems utilised, to develop a new perspective on why alternative approaches to classification may be appropriate. |
| Product: | Written Piece |
| Format: | Submit: Week 10, 12. You will critically appraise and synthesise current literature to prepare a ‘Perspectives Piece’ style article, with a focus on one mental health disorder, in the context of an academic researcher pursuing journal publication and undertaking peer review. You will present your article in line with the relevant journal’s guidelines and format, then following submission of your piece in Week 10, you will step into the role of reviewer and provide feedback on a peer’s assignment, to be submitted in Week 12. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3:Science Communication Presentation | |
| Goal: | The goal is to effectively communicate scientific evidence to a broad audience in the context of treating mental health disorders with a novel intervention. |
| Product: | Oral and Written Piece |
| Format: | You will develop a recorded presentation (slides and spoken audio) according to the guidelines provided, with the general public as your target audience. Your presentation will synthesise the strengths, limitations and implications of utilising the novel intervention, to therefore promote transparency and inform decision making when considering its involvement in treatment. |
| Criteria: |
|
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Specific requirements
All work submitted for assessment is to be word processed and submitted electronically. It is expected that students will have ready access to a computer with common productivity software and reliable Internet access.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
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In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
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- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au