
Psychopharmacology
Code: 102585Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Marc Pallarés i Añó
- Email :
- marc.pallares@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Marc Pallarés i Añó
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites
Objectives
Psychopharmacology is part of Psychobiology.
It is an optional subject of 6 credits that will be taught in the fourth year.
It is part of the optional mentions Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology and in Adult Clinical Psychology.
The objectives of the subject are the knowledge of the basic neuropharmacology, the evaluation techniques of the preclinical psychopharmacology, main psychoactive drugs and addictive consumed drugs: action mechanisms, addictive and neurotoxic potential.
Learning outcomes
- Identify and describe the main psychopharmaceuticals used in the treatment of the main psychopathological disorders in the area of behaviour and action mechanisms.
- Describe and relate the basic aspects of neuropharmacology.
- Describe hormonal changes throughout the life cycle.
- Describe how neurobiological changes throughout the life cycle affect the profile of psychotropic drugs.
- Analyse, synthesize and summarise information from scientific and professional texts.
- Handle scientific documentation systems.
- Plan a literature search or references, both computerized databases and libraries and newspaper archives.
- Identify and describe the procedures of preclinical and clinical evaluation of psychiatric drugs.
- Analyse scientific texts written in English.
- Use different ICTs for different purposes.
- Analyse the sex- or gender-based inequalities and the gender biases present in one's own area of knowledge.
- Identify and describe the main drugs, their effect on behaviour, neurobiological mechanisms for action and the main psychopharmacological treatments.
Contents
I: Basic Neuropharmacology.
II: Nicotine and methylxanthines.
III: Anxiolytics.
IV: Alcohol.
V: Antidepressants and antimanics.
VI: Psychostimulants: cocaine and smphetamines.
VII: Antipsychotic drugs.
VIII: Opiates.
IX: Cannabinoids and psychotomimetic drugs.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search for documentation | 9 | 0.36 | |
| Writing work | 15 | 0.6 | |
| Practices | 6 | 0.24 | |
| Preparation of work | 6 | 0.24 | |
| Preparation of the subject | 6 | 0.24 | |
| Study and reading texts | 75 | 3 | |
| Theoretical classes | 24 | 0.96 | |
| Seminars | 6 | 0.24 |
Lectures with ICT support and debate in a large group.
Search for documentation on a topic, oral and / or written presentation and evaluation period.
Practical sessions: behavioral observation about animal models of psychopharmacology.
Introduction of sessions in seminars, presentation of the text, assessment and discussion.
Tutorials to support the execution of a project.
Comprehensive reading of texts.
Individual or group work on the set of available material of classes, texts, magazines, etc.
Drawing up diagrams, conceptual maps and summaries.
Recensions, bibliographic studies (individual or in group) from a guide for its realization.
Use of Artificial Intelligence:
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam 2 | 3,5 | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 |
| Exam 1 | 3,5 | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 |
| Presentation of a work | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 |
There will be 2 face-to-face written exams. The exams will last 1.5 hours each, with a weight of 70% of the final grade. The first exam will take place in the middle of the semester, and the second, at the end, taking place during the respective assessment weeks scheduled in the Faculty of Psychology's calendar. The return will take place during week 9 (EV1) and week 20 (EV2) in a tutorial format.
Group work will be done with a written and oral presentation in a power point conference format. The work (written + oral) will have a weight of 30% of the final grade. The oral presentation of the work will take place in the last weeks of the semester. The return will take place during week 18 in a tutorial format.
Passed subject:
The subject will be considered passed if the student has obtained, in the set of learning evidences, a total equal to or higher than 5 points, and a grade equal to or greater than 4 points in each of the evaluation tests (EV1, EV2 and EV3).
Resit:
When, having completed the two written exams, the total points obtained in the continuous evaluation process do not reach 5 but are equal to or greater than 3.5, a written and face-to-face exam lasting 1,5 hours will be conducted. This exam will include the matter of the entire subject and passing it will provide the student with a final grade of 5.
Students with a final weighted grade equal to or greater than 5 but who have obtained a grade of less than 4 in EV1 or EV2, will be able to make up this specific evidence. Passing it will provide the student with a grade of 4 in this evidence, and this value will be considered for the calculation of the final weighted grade.
EV3 (group work) resit is not contempled. Therefore, in the event of obtaining a grade of less than 4 points in EV3, the maximum grade to be recorded in the acedemic record of these students will be 4,5 point.
Evaluable student:
An evaluable student is one who has completed evidence of learning with a weight equal to or greater than 4 points (40%), therefore, one who has completed one of the two written exams and the group work; failure to complete group work means that the student resigns 30% of the grade.
Unique evaluation:
THE UNIQUE EVALUATION IS REQUESTED TELEMATICALLY (E-FORM) IN THE SPECIFIC PERIOD (more information on the Faculty's website)
Students may request an unique evaluation, which will consist of a single test to be taken during the second week of evaluation, in which the 3 evidences of learning willbe assessed. The test will last 3.5 hours: 1.5 hours for the first written exam (EV1), 1.5 hours for the second written exam (EV2) and 0.5 hours for the presentation of the work (EV3) and debate. The work in written format must be handed the assessment day.
| TABLE OF UNIQUE EVALUATION ACTIVITIES | |||
| Name and description of the evidence | Weight | Duration in hours (of the face-to-face event) | Completion/delivery date |
| Written exam (EV1) | 35% | 3,5 hours (1,5 EV1+1,5 EV2+0,5 EV3-oral presentation and debate) | Second period of evaluation |
| Written exam (EV2) | 35% | ||
| Written work and oral presentation oral (EV3) | 30% |
Synthesis Test
No unique final no-recoverable synthesis test for students who enroll for the second time (or more) is anticipated.
Evaluation Guidelines Faculty of Psychology: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html
THE DELIVERY OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE EVALUATION TESTS WILL BE MADE IF THEY ARE COMPLETED REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE 263 AND YOUR REQUEST IS PERFORMED IN WEEK 4 TELEMATICALLY (EFORM) (more information on the Faculty's website).
Bibliography
Specific bibliography will be given in each topic. More generally, the following can be consulted
FUNDAMENTAL:
COLADO M, FARRÉ M, LEZA J, LIZASOAIN I. (Eds.) Drogodependencias. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana (4a edición), 2023
SALAZAR M, PERALTA C, PASTOR FJ. (Eds.)Tratado de Psicofarmacología: Bases y aplicación clínica. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana (2a edición), 2010
SCHATZBERG A, DEBATTISTA C. Masnual de Psicofarmacología clínica. Madrid: Editorial Amolca (8a edición), 2018
SCHATZBERG AF, NEMEROFF CB. (Eds.) Tratado de Psicofarmacología. Barcelona: Masson (3a edición), 2006
STAHL, S.M. Psicofarmacologia esencial de Stahl: Bases neurocientíficas y aplicaciones prácticas. Madrid: Editorial Aula médica (5a edición), 2023
COMPLEMENTARY:
ADAN A, PRAT G. Psicofarmacología. Bases neurofuncionales y terapéuticas. Barcelona: Editorial Marge, 2020
FERNÁNDEZ-TERUEL A. Farmacología de la conducta: De los psicofármacos a las terapias psicológicas. Bellaterra: Servei de Publicacions UAB, 2008
GOLDBERG J, STAHL S. Psicofarmacología práctica: Trasladando los hallazgos de los estudios basados en la evidencia a la práctica clínica del mundo real. Madrid: Editorial Aula Médica (1a edición), 2023
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRUG ABUSE (NIDA): Publications about addictive drugs (2023) in https://nida.nih.gov/es/informacion-sobre-drogas/publicaciones
Software
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 111 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 112 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 113 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM) Seminars | 114 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |