Outline

Overview

This unit provides students with an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives, concepts and vocabulary of psychology. Psychology is concerned with the science of human behaviour - how individuals perceive, think about, and behave in the world. It is concerned with identifying how internal determinants (characteristics unique to the person, and part of physical or psychological make-up) and external determinants (physical environment and social context) impact upon the individual. It is also concerned with the way in which people change over time, as well as explaining and predicting what they might do at any one time. The unit aims to position psychology as an essential ingredient in understanding health behaviour. This unit is only available to students who have no undergraduate studies in psychology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Participation Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Erin Fearn-Smith, erin.fearnsmith@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Erin Fearn-Smith, erin.fearnsmith@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 May 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Health conditions in neuropsychological practice Resource portfolio and reflections	40%	Week 04 Due date: 16 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 May 2025	3000 words per group
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Final exam - short answer questions - not this examination will be conducted on-campus in the intensive session scheduled exam week.	30%	Week 07 Due date: 03 Jun 2025 at 11:30	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Discussion Board contribution Contribution to discussion board topic and stimulus material in lieu of in-person on-campus tutorials. Due date for each contribution is Friday Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 at 23.59 hours. Due date and time in Unit outline is the last week in the series.	30%	Weekly Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Jun 2025	No less than 100 words/ weekly
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

30% The weekly discussion board contribution is a 'proxy' for learning reflection and class engagement otherwise possible in on-campus units. Questions or stimulus material will invite responses to the discussion and exchange between class members. Contributions are due Friday 23.59 each week.

40% The health conditions in neuropsychological practice is a small group assignment. Small-group canvas sites are established within the unit and the group creates a learning resource and experience for hypothetical users to learn about a particular health condition from a variety of perspectives using high quality evidence.

30% on-campus one hour supervised examination in examination week does not permit AI. It is in person and handwritten. This will assure learning in a unit which otherwise is entirely online.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Usual University of Sydney penalties apply

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOURAL NEUROSCIENCE	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 02	UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR ACROSS THE LIFESPAN THROUGH PSYCHOLOGY	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 03	UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR ACROSS THE LIFESPAN THROUGH NEUROSCIENCE	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 04	HEALTH CONDITIONS AFFECTING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 05	NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES IN PRACTICE	Independent study (6 hr)
Week 06	BRAIN HEALTH & CONTEXTS OF PRACTICE	Independent study (6 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This unit is online. The supervised examination is on-campus to permit a Lane 1 assessment for assurance of learning.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings are available on Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Delineate the disciplines of psychology and neuroscience as independent, yet complementary approaches to the scientific understanding of human behaviour.
LO2. Describe methodical approaches used in psychology and/or neuroscience to understand human behaviour.
LO3. Demonstrate understanding of neuroanatomical structures and neuro-physiological processes related to human behaviour.
LO4. Apply knowledge to answer practice questions relating to diagnosis, etiology and prognosis in health conditions and neuropsychological approaches to practice in rehabilitation across the lifespan.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The course is introductory level and interdisciplinary so there is a variety of backgrounds and expertise in the class. Students new to psychology felt unit gave them a strong foundation with skills for practical application. Students who had done psychology before found coverage of things they already knew was reassuring and bult their confidence, plus they found the emphasis on practice and the incorporation of neuroscience useful new learning. The unit has consolidated the practice focus which was valued, streamlined material to an intensive 6 week format, reduced the assessment load by making the portfolio a groupwork assignment, requiring 6 not 13 discussion board posts, and using a supervised one hour examination instead of a 2000 word essay. The latter is required to assure learning in an entirely online unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BACH5321: Introduction to Neuropsychology for Practice

Intensive April - May, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links