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Unit of study_

CSCD3093: Topics in Neuropsychology

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

A cognitive neuropsychological approach to brain-behaviour relationships is presented and applied to understanding speech perception and production, language comprehension, attention, working memory and long-term memory. Models of language, attention, and memory are examined and their implications for clinical practice are considered. The major neurological disorders and psychological conditions that affect language, attention, and memory are discussed, along with approaches to cognitive and neuropsychological rehabilitation and recovery. Students acquire knowledge of normal cognition, the neuropsychological approach to brain- behaviour relationships and cognitive processes; the cognitive and behavioural consequences of brain damage and models of cognitive rehabilitation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CSCD3093
Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
BACH2142
Prerequisites
? 
(CSCD2070 or BACH1165 or HSBH1003 or PSYC1001)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Cognitive Neuropsychology

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Elise Elbourn, elise.elbourn@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final Exam
Take home short release exam. Extended response.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation Oral Presentation
Pre-recorded presentation focusing on disorders of language
20% Week 06
Due date: 14 Sep 2021 at 11:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO2 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment Essay
Students will submit an essay focusing on disorders of cognition
30% Week 11
Due date: 26 Oct 2021 at 11:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Oral presentation – Group (20%), essay – individual (30%) and final exam (50%). 

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Unless an application for special consideration or special arrangement has been approved, students must submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified in the unit of study outline. If the assessment is completed or submitted within an approved period of extension by way of an approved special consideration application, academic plan adjustment or informal simple extension (approved in writing), no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. If an assessment is submitted after the due date (or extended due date as described above), the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as follows: 1. Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. 2. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. Note, all assessments must be submitted in order to be eligible to pass the unit otherwise an AF (Absent Fail) grade will be awarded.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to unit, neuroanatomy and neuropathology & disorders of perception Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Language 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Language 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Language 3 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Attention 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Attention 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Memory 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Disorders and rehabilitation of Memory 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Memory 3 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Executive Functioning 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Executive Functioning 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Social Cognition 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Disorders and Rehabilitation of Social Cognition 2, Revision Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

All lectures and tutorials will be offered fully online. Students are expected to view the weekly lecture and to join a weekly tutorial via Zoom. Please refer to the Canvas site for more information. 

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

Ward, J. (2015). The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience. Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315742397 (Library ebook)

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.

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

  • LO1. explain the key assumptions, terminology and methodologies of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychology
  • LO2. interpret patterns of impaired linguistic performance with reference to models of language processing
  • LO3. interpret patterns of impaired cognitive performance with reference to models of perception, attention, memory, executive function and social-emotional processing
  • LO4. relate impaired cognitive or linguistic performance to underlying neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
  • LO5. infer impaired cognitive and linguistic performance for varied neuropathological conditions
  • LO6. apply models of cognitive neuropsychology as a basis for understanding cognitive and linguistic assessment, prognosis and outcomes
  • LO7. develop solutions for rehabilitation of cognitive and linguistic impairments with reference to models of cognitive neuropsychology
  • LO8. demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills
  • LO9. work effectively as part of a team for the assignments and class activities

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Oral presentation is pre-recorded and submitted by all students in Week 6 to ensure assessment equity. Feedback will be provided for Assignments 1 and 2 to support learning.

Lectures of this unit of study will be provided to students enrolled in two different units of study (CSCD3093 and BACH2142), aligned with the learning objectives. The tutorials and expectations on the assessment tasks, however, will be adapted specifically for each student group, aligned with their progression in their respective course. 

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.