Course Syllabus
Psychopharmacology: Substances and the Brain A |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Core Course - 3 credits |
| Core Course Study Tours: |
Southern Sweden and Germany |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Pre-Medicine/Health Science |
| Prerequisites: |
One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level. A course in neurobiology is recommended, but not required |
| Faculty Member: |
Jesper T. Andreasen and Bettina Hornbøll Borch |
| Program contact: |
Current students please use the canvas inbox to contact |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays & Thursdays, 8:30-9:50, Location: Fi6-Metro 101 |
Faculty
| Jesper T. Andreasen Ph.D. (Psychopharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2009). M.Sc. (Psychopharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2004). Associate professor at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. With DIS since 2012. |
|
Bettina Hornbøll Borch Ph.D. (Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, 2017), M.Sc. (Neurobiology, University of Copenhagen, 2006), BA (Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2004). Has been conducting neuroscience research for approx. 10 years, investigating emotion processing in the brain using imaging. With DIS since 2012. |
Course Description
This course examines neuroscience with a pharmacological and neuropsychological 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.
Expected Learning Outcomes
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”, 5th ed., 2021
- Chapters 1-8, 13.
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, field studies, and group presentations of research articles.
Evaluation and Grading
The final grade for this course will be based on in-class tests, an assignment, and participation:
|
Component |
Weight |
|
Test 1 |
30% |
|
Test 2 |
30% |
|
Study Tour Assignment |
15% |
|
Active participation in class |
10% |
|
Group presentation of research paper |
15% |
|
Total |
100% |
Tests
Unless otherwise stated, tests will be 2-hour tests and will be available on Canvas and made available for a period of 24 hours.
Tests will be a combination of information recall, concept explanation and synthesis, and problem analysis.
Active participation
Participation is determined by attendance, tardiness, and engagement in class. To prepare for each day, you are required to read all assigned material and watch the videos.
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.
Group presentation of research paper
Four groups of five students each will present a research paper. There are four research papers to choose from, and each student signs up for their preferred research on a first come first served basis. The presentation will be evaluated as described in the rubric shown under Assignments/Group presentation of research paper.
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 Bettina Hornbøll Borch (Jesper does not travel) on two study tours: a short study tour during Core Course Week and a Long Study Tour to relevant European destinations.
What to expect 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.
Study Tour Learning Objectives
The objectives of both Core Course Week and the Long Study Tour are:
- Broaden your understanding of the critical connection between academia and science mediation.
- Explore how psychopharmacology is a part of everyday life for many people, now and in the past, by also including historically relevant information and research
- Explore and learn more about the presence of psychoactive drugs in other societies in Europe present and in a historical perspective
- Broaden your horizon within the field of neuroscience and go beyond the classroom.
- Encourage you to develop further questions and insights regarding your personal, academic, and professional interests.
- Explore and experience a different culture.
- Provide an educational and social setting for you to interact with your peers and professors.
While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. two 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.
Core Course Week:
Short Study Tour: Southern Sweden
Copenhagen Portion
Long Study Tour: Munich, Germany
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
As the study tour are part of the academic curriculum, it is to be expected that the emphasis on the tours will be on the academic content. Although a large part of the study tour will be visits with researchers/museums/sites that are of relevance to the course, you as a student will also be contributing to the academic content in the form of group work before and during tour as well.
A more in-depth description of your study tour assignment components, as well as the group work mentioned above, will be provided closer to the Study Tours.
Policies
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 or tablet use is allowed only for note taking or group and project work.
DIS Contacts
Susana Dietrich, Science & Health Program Director, shsupport@dis.dk
Science & Health Office: Vestergade 7-37
Academic Accommodations
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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