Information Package

Program of Psychology (English 30%)

PSİ421

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Course Code
PSİ421
Semester
-
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
6
Course TypeElective Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study-
Semester-
ECTS6
Name of Lecturer(s) -
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Learn basic principles of psychopharmacology.
  2. Become acquainted with effects of various drugs on nervous system.
  3. Compare the effects of various drugs on emotion, thinking, behavior and perception.
  4. Define the interaction between different types of drugs and neurotransmitters.
  5. Think critically on the interactions between pharmacological discoveries and diagnostic criteria.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsNone
Course DescriptionThis course surveys basic neuropharmacology, the effects of various psychotropic drugs, and the actions of drugs used to treat mental disorders. The emphasis of the first part of the course is on basic principles of neuropharmacology, distribution and elimination of drugs, drug-receptor interactions and dose-response relationships, structure of neurons, neurophysiological mechanisms involved in synaptic activity, and the distribution of specific neurotransmitter systems. The last two-thirds of the course examine the actions of specific drugs and their effects on behavior and their uses in biological psychiatry. This course is designed to provide a foundation for advanced study in behavioral neuroscience, neuropsychopharmacology, physiological psychology, and related areas and to provide an introduction to the pharmacological treatment of mental disorders for clinical students.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction
2nd Week Principles of Psychopharmacology
3rd Week Chemical Signalling in the Central Nervous System
4th Week Basics of Pharmacology
5th Week Neurotransmitters and Drugs I
6th Week Neurotransmitters and Drugs II
7th Week Animal Models in Psychopharmacology
8th Week Mid-Term Exam
9th Week Mood Disorders and; Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers
10th Week Anxiety Disorders and Anxiolytics
11th Week Psychotic Disorders and Antipsychotics
12th Week Substance Abuse and Substances
13th Week Substance Abuse and Substances (cont.)
14th Week Sex Hormones and Brain Function
15th Week General Evaluation
Recommended or Required ReadingMeyer, J. S., & Quenzer, L. F. (2005). Psychopharmacolog: Drugs, the brain and behavior. MA: Sinauer Associates.

John D. Preston, John H. O'Neal , Mary C. Talaga , Bret A. Moore (9th ed), Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists, New Harbinger Publications.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
  • Project
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 20
Quiz 4 40
Total(%) 60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 40
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 1 1
Preparation for Quiz 4 8 32
Individual or group work 14 4 56
Preparation for Final exam 1 25 25
Course hours 15 3 45
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 20 20
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1 1
Homework
Total Work Load180
Total Work Load / 30 (h)6
ECTS Credit of the Course6
Language of InstructionTurkish
Work Placement(s)No
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
K1 X X X
K2 X
K3 X X
K4 X
K5 X
K6
K7
K8
K9 X
K10
K11
K12 X
K13