Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines evidence-based approaches to neuropsychological assessment across the lifespan. Students explore functional neuroanatomy, illustrative neuropsychological disorders, and diagnostic classification systems, and evaluate how these inform preparation for internal placement. Key themes include specialised assessment techniques for evaluating neuropsychological function, such as memory, attention, and executive functions in children and adults, and the application of ethical and appropriate test selection. Students are given the opportunity to develop skills in the critical evaluation of psychometric properties and cultural context in assessment practices. The unit also addresses applied learning through lectures and group work centred on case examples.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate, through oral and written modes of communication, the ability to evaluate and apply psychological knowledge, including neuroanatomy, brain-behavior relationships, and neuroscience principles to psychological assessment and case formulation of neuropsychological disorders and syndromes, using context-appropriate and culturally-responsive language conveying respect for others.; (2) convey understanding of how psychological theories – including, but not limited to, those involving neurodevelopment and different mechanisms of brain injury, illness, or disease – are used to explain differences in cognitive, emotional, and personality functioning, with consideration of how clinical presentations and assessment/intervention approaches may vary based on individual differences, including cultural context.; (3) show knowledge of, and the ability to apply international taxonomies of classification of psychological disorders criteria to the assessment and differential diagnosis of clinical presentations.; and (4) demonstrate the ability to administer and score common neuropsychological assessment instruments in a standardized fashion and to apply knowledge of psychometrics and other
sources of clinical data toward the integration of psychological assessment results with other sources of clinical data (e.g., interviews, questionnaires, behavioural observations) and knowledge about
psychopathology to inform diagnostic decision-making and intervention planning..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written case report;; (2) viva (case formulation and feedback); and (3) video recording of test administration and scoring;. Further information is available in the unit outline.
To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the viva (case formulation and feedback) and video recording of test administration and scoring; components.
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- TBD
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in70560 Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
- Contact hours
- 3 workshop hours x 12 weeks
- Note
- There is no textbook for this course.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.