PSYC483 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
| Course Code: | 3710483 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 7.5 |
| Department: | Psychology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assist.Prof.Dr JACQUELINE MASSA, Lecturer EBRU ÇAKICI |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This elective course is offered to final year students of psychology who would like to gain a deeper knowledge of the neuroscience of how psychological disorders and psychotropic drugs affect the brain and behaviour. We will focus on chemical neurotransmission, psychopharmacological drug actions, and pharmacologic properties of psychoactive drugs that have therapeutic effects but also abuse potentials. Topics will span clinical descriptions of disorders including schizophrenia, anxiety, mood disorders and addiction, the neurotransmitter systems and brain circuits implicated in these conditions, and drug treatments currently provided in mental health settings.
Course Content
For course details, see https://catalog2.metu.edu.tr.Course Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
- the principles of neurotransmisson and fundamentals of neurobiology in the context of mental health
- the basics of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacology of drugs of therapy and abuse
- types of receptors and enzymes as targets of drug action
- names, classifications, therapeutic effects and side effects, indications and contraindications of psychotropic medications
- clinical descriptions of psychological disorders, and neurotransmitters and brain circuits implicated in their pathophysiology and treatment
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Solid background in basic theories and approaches in psychology | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Skills to follow both national and international publications and developments in the discipline and to obtain and interpret new information in the light of acquired theoretical knowledge | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Awareness of the value of continuing educational practices such as in-service trainings, seminars, and conferences to keep career-relevant knowledge and skills up-to-date | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Skills to conduct research based on basic knowledge related to testing and measurement, research methods, and statistics as well as the ability to present and disseminate research findings both orally and in writing | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Knowledge and skills about conducting research and practice by adhering to ethical guidelines | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Skills in oral and written communication both in Turkish and English as well as preferably learning a third language | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Skills to work in teams that involve disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Critical thinking skills in following the psychological literature together with the psychology-related information appearing in popular media | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Skills to generate practical and culture-sensitive solutions to problems | ✔ | |||
| 10 | Awareness of societal, environmental, and economic factors in professional practice and research | ✔ | |||
| 11 | Skills to lead and pioneer in the profession of psychology, either in academia or professional practice | ✔ | |||
| 12 | Skills in independent and team work | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution