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Overview

Course Prescription

Consists of: an introduction to neuroanatomy and neuropathology, seminars on the major areas of neuropsychological dysfunction, introduction to community-used test materials and theoretical issues of neuropsychological assessment, neuropsychological dysfunction, individual assessment and individual case studies.

Course Overview

The course is divided into three parts. First, students are introduced to general methodology in clinical neuropsychology, test materials, theoretical issues in neuropsychological assessment, as well as human neuroanatomy and neuropathology. This will cover examination of issues specific to Aotearoa, including critical examination of the discipline in relation to Māori and other cultures. Second, five case studies will be dealt with during the year, which will provide students with practice in the analysis and interpretation of client data, and in presenting test data and recommendations in report format. Finally, each student is expected to work with one other student to present a seminar to the class on a specific topic and independently write an essay on one aspect of that topic. 

Workload Expectations

Following University guidelines, a 30 point course represents about 300 hours of study. As a standard 30-point course students are expected to spend 10-12 hours per week on the course. For this course, you can expect a total of 54 hours of lectures/class discussions, 6 hours of tutorial, 24 hours of practical, 50 hours of reading and 142 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

This is a double semester course (708 A & B). During Semester 1, in a typical teaching week there will be 3 contact hours per week, comprising 30 hours of lectures or seminars and 6 hours of tutorials. That leaves a total of 90 hour across the semester for independent study (approximately 24 hours for practical work and 66 hours for reading and thinking about the content, working on assignments and test preparation).

During Semester 2, in a typical teaching week there will be 2 hours of contact per week (lectures, seminars, case study discussions), leaving 102 hours across the whole semester for coursework and independent study (reading and thinking about the content and case studies, working on case studies and the assignment and exam preparation).

Additional Advice on Prerequisites

To complete this course students must enrol in PSYCH 708 A and B

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is required at scheduled activities, including lectures, to complete components of the course.
  • The course will not include live online events, including group discussions.
  • Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

You will be supplied with a course book containing information and current normative data for the neuropsychological testing instruments used in the course.
Required Text:

  • Lezak, M. D., Howieson D.B., Bigler, E.D. Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological Assessment (5th ed) (minimum Chpt 1 – 8; 20), OUP, New York. This may be read in the library.
Recommended Text:
  • Ogden, J. A. (2005). Fractured Minds: A case study approach to clinical neuropsychology (2nd Ed), OUP, New York.
References related to each case study will be available via CANVAS.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Special Requirements

  • Practical work (test protocols) will be conducted out of scheduled class times in groups and may be off-campus if preferred by the students.
  • There will be one test conducted outside of scheduled class hours.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Student feedback has indicated we should extend the trial of having seminars produced in pairs and make this a permanent feature of the course.Student feedback suggests we need to develop an additional resource to help with test score interpretation for the first case study.  This is in development.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

This course is supported by the Tuākana in Science Programme, which facilitates the success and wellbeing of our Māori and Pacific students. The foundation of the Tuākana Programme is the Tuākana-Teina principle an integral relationship in which older or more expert Tuākana (traditionally brother, sister or cousin) guides a younger or less expert Teina (traditionally younger sibling or cousin). This is a reciprocal relationship which fosters safe learning and teaching environments. Read more here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.