Course Syllabus
Psychopharmacology: Substances and the Brain Section B, Fall 2017
DIS Copenhagen
Time: Mondays & Thursdays, 10:05-11:25
Location: Vestergade 10-B24
Type & Credits: Core Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines: Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Pre-Medicine/Health Science
Study Tours: Western Denmark and Germany
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Jesper T. Andreasen Ph.D. (Psychopharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2009). M.Sc. (Psychopharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2004). Associate professor at the Institute of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. With DIS since 2012. |
Course Description
This course examines neuroscience with a molecular approach. The course will focus on psychiatric disorders and their pharmacological treatments. Besides covering basic brain anatomy and function, the link between dysfunctional brain regions/circuits and different psychiatric symptom will be discussed. A strong focus will be on neurotransmitters and their receptors, as well as how the neurotransmitters interact. This will be used to discuss the diverse pharmacological profiles of psychotropic/psychoactive agents and how these profiles couple to their effects on perception, emotion and behavior, and to their adverse side-effects.
Pre-requisites
One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level.
A course in neurobiology is recommended but not required.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the structure and function of the brain, with emphasis on neurotransmitters and synaptic transmission
- Review the different types of psychiatric disorders, their symptoms, the neurotransmitters involved, and the way they are treated
- Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the function of the brain, i.e. the mechanisms believed to underlie the therapeutic and adverse effects of psychopharmacological drugs.
Required Readings
Stahl’s “Essential Psychopharmacology”, 4th ed., 2013
- Chapters 1-7, 9, 12, 14.
Stahl’s “Essential Psychopharmacology”, 3rd ed., 2008
- Chapter 7 (On Canvas)
Canvas: Any relevant reading material will be posted on the course page; please check it regularly.
Approach to teaching
Class will be taught such that students will be engaged and therefore master course material. Course topics will be covered in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, the following: lectures, class discussions, case studies, critical analysis of research work (individual/groups), field studies, and group presentations.
Canvas
Canvas is a web-based system that allows you to access course resources and communicate with your classmates and faculty. To access Canvas, you can go to the DIS homepage and click the ‘Canvas’ link on the bottom of the website, or go to: https://canvas.disabroad.org/login/canvas. You can also download the Canvas App (By: Instructure) on iPhone and Android mobile smart phones.
Evaluation
The final grade for this course will be based on in-class tests, an assignment, and participation:
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Component |
Weight |
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Test 1 |
20% |
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Test 2 |
20% |
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Test 3 |
15% |
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Study Tour Assignment |
15% |
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Participation |
5% |
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Final Exam |
25% |
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Total |
100% |
Tests
All the tests will be at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated.
Tests will be a combination of information recall, concept explanation and synthesis, and problem analysis.
Participation
Participation is determined by attendance, tardiness, and engagement in class. To prepare for each day, you are required to read all assigned material.
You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled, and attendance and participation will be consistently monitored: in class, at field studies, and on study tours. If you miss multiple classes, the Office of Academic Support will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness; however, for multiple absences, you will need to provide a doctor’s note.
Potential Field Study Dates
Please reserve this date and time in your calendar
Date: Wednesday, November 08
Time: 8:30-12:30
Description: Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research
Date: Wednesday, December 06
Time: 13:00-17:00
Description: Neurobiology Research Unit, Rigshospitalet
Core Course Week and Study Tours
Core Course Week and study tours are an integral part of the core course as we take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom is translated to practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours: a Short Study Tour during Core Course Week and a Long Study Tour to relevant European destinations.
Expectations for study tours
- Participate in all activities
- Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
- Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
- Represent yourself, your home university, and DIS in a positive light
One of the learning objectives of Psychopharmacology: Substances of the Brain is for you, the student, to be able to describe medical practice in a social, international, and scientific context. The study tours are a way to achieve this learning objective.
Learning Objectives
The objectives of both Core Course Week and the Long Study Tour are:
- To showcase examples of psychopharmacological research, treatment, and education
- To broaden the students’ view of the challenges face by psychopharmacology regarding research, treatment options, and sociological attitudes
- To show examples of novel research methods and findings with both laboratory and clinical relevance
- To explore and learn more about Scandinavia and other societies in Europe
While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day, and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.
The dates for core course week, including short study tour, and your long study tour are below for your reference.
Core Course Week: Monday, September 11 - Friday, September 15
Short Study Tour: Århus/Odense, Denmark: Monday, September 11 – Wednesday, September 13
Copenhagen Portion: Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15
Long Study Tour: Heidelberg and Frankfurt, Germany: Sunday, October 29 – Friday, November 3
Academic Study Tour Leaders
Study Tour Leaders:
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Bettina Hornbøll Founder of CogniCation; cognitive communication. PhD-fellow in neurobiology doing imaging of the effect of serotonin during emotion processing in the brain, while challenging participant’s natural serotonergic levels. The project has been conducted at Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR) and Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging (CIMBI). M.Sc. Neurobiology (University of Copenhagen, 2006). B.A. Biology (University of Copenhagen, 2004). With DIS since 2012. |
Bettina is also the Study Tour Coordinator. She arranges academic tour visits and grades the study tour assignment. You may see her around DIS as she teaches Neuroscience of Fear.
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Elise Schiøler Cand. phil. (philosophy, University of Copenhagen). External lecturer in medical ethics and -theory of science, and philosophy of health technologies, University of Copenhagen, 2007-. External lecturer in theory of science, scientific method and argumentation analysis at The Defense College, 2012-. With DIS since 2011. |
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Maitane Caballero Puntiverio |
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Nina LaHav Certified Teacher of Danish as a Foreign and Second Language, (Danish University of Education, 2002). With DIS since 2002. |
Travel policies
You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office.
Study Tour Assignment
Before going on Long Study Tour, you will be divided into groups of three to four people. A more in-depth description will be provided closer to the Short Study Tour.
Practical Information
Questions and feedback
If you have questions to the readings, lectures, or assignments, you are always welcome to contact us by email. Alternatively you can email program assistant Cionna Rosenthal (cro@dis.dk) to setup an appointment or ask a question. The program director for this course is Lisbeth Borbye. The program assistant and the program director can be found in the Science & Health office in Vestergade 10-B12.
DIS Contacts
Cionna Rosenthal, Science & Health Program Assistant, cro@dis.dk, +45 3376 5792
Susana Dietrich, Assistant Program Director, sd@dis.dk , tel: +45 3376 5442
Lisbeth Borbye, Director of Science & Health Programs, lbo@dis.dk
Science & Health Office: Vestergade 10-B12
Disability resources
Any student who has a need for disability accommodations should contact Sean Green (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. Upon DIS approval, students should inform the instructor of accommodations within the first 2 weeks of class.
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment
DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of "F" and can result in dismissal. The students' home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronically for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information or ask your instructor if you have questions.
Policy on late papers and/or assignments
Late papers will be accepted, but your grade for the paper will be reduced by half a letter grade for each day that it is late.
Use of Laptops or Phones in Class
Use of phones in class is not allowed. Laptop use is only allowed for group and project work.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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