Course Outline

MHN712 Translational and Applied Neuroscience for Mental Health

Course Coordinator:Christina Driver (cdriver@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2027Trimester 1

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

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

In this course you will focus on translational and applied research to better understand mental health problems and disorders, and how the latest neuroscientific research findings are put into practice. You will explore fundamental neuroscience principles and techniques, and how these are utilised to better inform the way mental health is understood and how novel can impact brain structure and function to help improve mental health conditions.

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 12 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to the brain, neurobiology and neuroanatomy
  • Introduction to neuroimaging
  • Translational research and applying neuroscientific evidence
  • Principles of treatments for mental disorders and their impacts on brain structure and function

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

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 Build an advanced knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurobiology and neuroimaging in relation to mental health disorders and their development. Knowledgeable
2 Reflect on and appropriately discuss treatment approaches to mental health disorders from an ethical perspective. Ethical
3 Review and identify relevant neuroscientific evidence from the appropriate peer-reviewed literature to evaluate new developments in mental health themes and concepts. Creative and critical thinker
4 Identify, interpret and effectively communicate appropriate neuroscientific evidence to justify principles of various treatment approaches. Empowered
5 Identify interdisciplinary approaches in mental health research, evaluate the impacts of therapies and interventions on brain structure and function. Engaged

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

Must be enrolled in program 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 opportunities to gain early formative feedback relevant to your first assessment task, by completing the interactive self-check questions and activities incorporated into your online modules and learning materials.

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 Portfolio Individual 60%
Maximum 40 questions and 1000-2000 words
Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 40%
1500 words AND 5 min video
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Learning portfolio
Goal:
The goal is to build an advanced understanding of neuroanatomy, neurobiology and neuroimaging in relation to mental health disorders and their development by identifying and reviewing relevant peer-reviewed evidence.
Product: Portfolio
Format:
Submit Weeks 3, 5, & 8. You will respond to a series of activities throughout the first two blocks of the course. You will submit these according to the guidelines provided at the timepoints of Week 3, 5, and 8. The activities will progress from quiz style questions to short answers and summaries in Parts A & B. Your final submission will build on your foundational knowledge gained, to develop a annotated bibliography relevant for academic writing. Full details and guidance will be provided in your Learning Management System.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstration of building an advanced knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurobiology and neuroimaging in relation to mental health disorders and their development.
1
2
Review of appropriate peer-reviewed literature.
3
3
Identification of relevant neuroscientific evidence from the appropriate peer-reviewed literature.
3
4
Interpretation of appropriate neuroscientific evidence.
4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Critical reflection of evidence-base
Goal:
The goal is to reflect on interdisciplinary approaches in relation to mental health disorders and effectively communicate appropriate neuroscientific evidence to justify principles of this approach.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Format:
You will write a critical reflection on interdisciplinary treatment approaches, discussing relevant neuroscientific evidence. You will also submit a video summary to highlight the links between evidence you have found and the relevance to your profession, including an ethical perspective. Full details and guidance provided in your Learning Management System.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Review of relevant neuroscientific evidence from the appropriate peer-reviewed literature to evaluate new developments in mental health themes and concepts.
3
2
Identification and interpretation of appropriate neuroscientific evidence to justify principles of treatment approach
4
3
Identification and interpretation of the interdisciplinary approach in mental health research.
5
4
Evaluation of the impacts of therapies and interventions on brain structure and function.
5
5
Reflection on, and effective communication of, appropriate treatment approaches to mental health disorders, including from an ethical perspective.
2 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy

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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

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. Students will be able to participate in video conferencing, and therefore it is recommended to have computer capabilities to join these sessions (e.g. webcam, microphone).

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

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:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

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

  • 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
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au