Syllabus for
Master of Science (Neuropsychology)
Academic Year  (2024)

The primary objective of the Master of Science in Neuropsychology Programme is to provide the student with skills to work as an entry level Professional Neuropsychologist.  The programme aims to provide fundamental knowledge in central nervous system functioning with implications for cognition, affect and behaviour across developmental stages. The course also aims to train the student in skills in assessment and intervention of individuals with neurological, neurosurgical and psychiatric conditions including traumatic brain injury, dementia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders and developmental disorders. The student is also trained in skills required for neuropsychological research.

Programme Outcome/Programme Learning Goals/Programme Learning Outcome:

PO2: Demonstrate evidence-based conceptualization of neuropsychiatric cases, assessments and interventions through practicum and laboratory exposure

PO3: Generate ideas, arguments, proposals or solutions in designing and performing research; and communicate research findings through manuscripts, short reports, case studies, and meta-analysis

PO4: Advocate the field through engagement with community stakeholders by providing neuropsychological services

Formative and Summative assessments are conducted by the department to ascertain the readiness for learning and the attainment of learning outcomes. Assessments are examinations are based on competency frame work and principles of outcome-based education. Attainment of learning outcomes/ expected competencies is evaluated using either holistic or analytic rubrics, grading schemes or attainment criteria specified to the students at the beginning of the semester. Learning outcomes (Course outcomes) of each course are mapped to programme outcomes. Assessments and examinations follow the principle of constructive alignment and outcomes are mapped to higher order thinking skills. Most common frameworks used in this programme include Revised Blooms Taxonomy, and Structure of Observed Learning outcomes (SOLO) and ICAP framework.

Assessment is based on the performance of the student throughout the semester.

Credit Structure
Normally 15 hours of classroom teaching in a semester is considered as one credit for theory courses.

• Courses with 30 hours per semester will earn the candidate 2 credits.
• Courses with 45-50 hours per semester will earn the candidate 3 credits.
• Courses with 51 hours and above per semester including practical will earn the candidate 4 credits.
• Dissertations/Practical equivalent to one course will earn the candidates 4-6 credits.

This Course will introduce students to the domain of academic writing and its intricacies. Every student, regardless of his or her area of interest, will be called upon to use an academic style of writing at different levels and at various points in time. This Course will therefore seek to impart such knowledge about the styles of writing used in the current academic scenario. It will provide students with opportunities in the classroom setting to practice such styles, both individually and in collaboration with others.

Course Objectives:

• To develop skills in academic writing.

• To develop skills in scientific presentations

Academic Writing skills: An overview of the current status of academic writing and its importance; different approaches and processes; key issues: plagiarism, biases, and frequent errors. Guidelines and rules in Academic Writing: Introduction to style and formatting guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA); specific guidelines pertaining to in-text citations, references; Abstract writing; summarisation; review of literature; presentation of tables and graphs.

Scientific Presentation skills: Designing a PowerPoint presentation and poster for scientific dissemination. Presentation of oral and poster scientific presentations.

CIA-2 (25 marks)

Attendance (5 marks)

All CIAs are must pass assessments, A grade of 50% is required to pass. If a student fails to meet the grade, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all CIAs.

This course is designed to provide the structural framework for developing an understanding of the role of  CNS  in  human behaviour. The topics provide an understanding of the development and the organizational structure of the brain; and generate an understanding of principles of electrical and chemical communication. Finally, the course also aims to generate a systems understanding of neural circuits.

Organizational Principles of CNS, Gross structure of CNS, Blood supply to the Brain, Brain development and plasticity - development of brain, response to injury.

Grey matter, White matter; Basic anatomy and function of Cortical and Subcortical structures, Midbrain, Cerebellum & Spinal cord. Neuronal and glial structure.

 Neurons & Glia; Signaling - Electrical and Chemical Communication, Simple Neural Circuit (e.g. H reflex); Neurotransmitters and Synaptic communication; Hormones and the brain.

Understanding Hierarchy and Parallel pathways in the brain - Typical plan for Motor system and Sensory System, Transmitter systems; Techniques in Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology: Histology, Electrophysiology and other current methods.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE. 

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 50% is required to pass the course (CIA+ESE)

This course introduces the student to the neurobiological basis of cognitive functions such as sensation, perception, attention, consciousness

Varieties of Attention, Theories of Attention, Visual, Auditory and Spatial Attention; Methods of measuring attention. Brain Networks of Attention – Posner’s approach and Salience

network. Visual perception-Form, Colour, Depth, Objects, Faces and Scenes; Perception Motion and Action; Auditory perception – sound localization and speech perception. Measuring

perception - psychophysics and Signal Detection Theory.

Language production & comprehension – reading writing and speaking and Numerical

Cognition

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE. 

This is a foundational course to neuropsychology highlighting the advent of neuropsychology as a discipline. This course offers a background to the course on ‘Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention’ offered in Semester II. The primary objective of the course is to provide a fundamental understanding of key aspects in Neuropsychology

An introduction to Neuropsychology; Historical Background of Neuropsychology; The emergence of Neuropsychology as a discipline; The scope of Neuropsychology

Invasive techniques; Electrical procedures; In-vivo imaging: Structural and Functional; Neuropsychological Assessment

Head Trauma, Vascular Disorders; Degenerative disorders; Toxic conditions; Infectious processes; Neoplasms; Oxygen deprivation; Epilepsy

Comparison standards for deficit measurement- normative and individual standards; measurement of deficit- direct and indirect; the deficit measurement paradigm

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE

This course will blend classroom teaching and a seminar mode to engage with classic and current literature to develop an understanding of theories, models and current methodological approaches.

Major theories offering lifespan perspective; Evolution of brain and Adaptive specializations of structure and function, its implications for Cognition; Brain development and Critical Periods. Influence of Genes and Environment.

Prenatal development; Psychosocial and Moral development during childhood; Development of the theory of mind; Neuronal changes and cortical development, Nutrition and brain, Perceptual and Motor development, Attention & Memory; Language and learning.

Psychosocial and Moral development in adolescence; Self-concept, Self-esteem, Sexuality and identity development during adolescence, Friendship and Romantic relationships, Marriage, Parenthood, Career Development; Brain maturation process; Hormones and their influence on motivational and cognitive systems; Reasoning and decision making; Emotion processing

Mid-life crisis, Families in middle adulthood; Relationships in late adulthood; Elder abuse; Death and dying across the lifespan; Confronting death; Grief and bereavement Aging processes in the brain, Attention, Memory, Language & Problem Solving; Arousal and Awareness.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 40% is required to pass the course.(CIA+ESE)

This course has been conceptualized in order to inculcate awareness about legal and ethical aspects of practicing Neuropsychology in India. It highlights the commonly encountered ethical dilemmas in clinical practice and facilitates ethical decision-making in a multicultural context.

Course Objectives: This course will help the learner to gain familiarity with foundations of ethics, historical violations of ethical principles in research and practice, commonly encountered ethical dilemmas in research and clinical practice. It will help the learner gain awareness about different codes of ethics and develop a personal ethical decision-making model to resolve ethical dilemmas. 

History of ethical principles in Psychology; General Ethical Principles: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence; Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity; Ethical standards; Resolving Ethical Issues, Competence, Human Relations, Privacy and Confidentiality, Advertising and Public Statements, Record Keeping and Fees, Education and Training, Research and Publication; Assessment, Therapy, Ethics in the Indian context

Ethics and the personal context: Morals, Virtues, Emotions; Developing a personal model for ethical decision making; Multiple relationships and Boundary issues, Close Encounters, Attraction, & Sexual Misconduct; Developing a contract: Informed consent, confidentiality and guidelines for contacting; Ethics related to confidentiality in digital age, Ethics in online assessment and intervention

 Ethical issues in working with children; persons with intellectual disability; persons with acquired and developmental cognitive deficits

Mental healthcare act 2017; Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016; Representing clients in court of law RTI Act, Consumer Protection Act; National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. 

Ethics in Neuropsychology (2016). Retrieved from https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/sites/journalofethics.ama-assn.org/files/2018-06/joe-1612.pdf

The Mental Health Care Act. (2017). Retrieved from http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2017/175248.pdf

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)  - 70%

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 40% is required to pass the course.(CIA+ESE)

This course provides an introduction to quantitative research methods and its application in Neuropsychology. It gives a comprehensive overview of the different types of research designs, sampling methods, and methods of data collection. The process of quantitative research with special emphasis on experimental design and designs pertinent to Neuropsychological research is covered through this course. 

This course will help the learner 

• Understand the importance of scientific enquiry in Neuropsychological practice

• Gain familiarity with the process of Quantitative research 

• Provide an overview of the different designs commonly used in Neuropsychological Research

History of scientific research in psychology; Definition of research; Purpose and need of research in Neuropsychology. Experimental, Exploratory and descriptive research; Ethical issues in Neuropsychological research

Causality and experimentation; Definition and nature of variables; operationally defining variables; Independent variables; Dependent variables; formulation of research problems and hypothesis ; Different types of hypothesis ; Experimental manipulation and control of variables; steps in quantitative research

Types of experimental design based on subjects and factors; Within-subjects, between-subjects, single-subject, single factor, and factorial design; Mixed design; Longitudinal studies, Cohort Studies, Case studies

Population and sample; Basic assumptions Sampling techniques: probability and non- probability sampling; Methods of data collection

Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L.-A. B. (2018). Research methods for the behavioral sciences (Edition 6. ed.) [still image]. Cengage.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE. 

In this course, students will be involved in supervised community service. Students are encouraged to work alongside NGOs or other professional bodies. Students will engage in activities such as children, adolescents, and youth teaching/tutoring, community organization, psychological assessment, and mental health awareness. Reflections on their interactions are an integral part of this course. Student engagement will be assessed by a supervisor. 

Course objectives: This course will help the learner: 

●To build awareness about the requirements of society. 

●To identify the needs of underprivileged communities. 

●To create mental health awareness among children, adolescents, and youth.

Community service: The concept, Objectives, and Scope; Need for community and Academia (University) interface. The role of psychologists in community service. Outcomes of community service: Personal outcome; Social outcome, Learning outcome, and Career outcome.

Students in groups will partner with various NGO’s and organizations working in the areas of education, development, interventions, and mental health. As part of the course requirement the students will be involved in the community-oriented activities of the organizations they affiliate with. The NGOs or Organizations along with the faculty coordinator will be responsible for the process delivery. These placements will offer students hands-on experiences in working with various issues in the community and facilitate meaningful learning

Reflection is a core component of Community service. It is a period of critical thinking performed by the student and is based on a specific or overall experience of the student. It guides students towards greater personal development by coming to a better understanding of their own values, opinions, and assumptions. The types of reflection which can be used are, class discussion, brainstorming, sharing of critical personal and group incidents, directed writings, experiential research paper, student portfolios and so on. The students are expected to discuss in groups at the end of this course using the following guidelines. Reason for choosing the organization • The planning phase of service-learning initiatives • Logistics for the initiative of the action • Stakeholders/beneficiaries • Execution of the action initiative • Specific learning outcome • Evaluation 

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

In this course the students are required to identify an area of research relevant to the field of Neuropsychology. This course intends to help the learner identify a research problem and  develop a research proposal which would effectively address the identified problem.

Identifying a problem;  Review of literature; Developing a problem statement- Identifying a research gap, the need and significance of the study; Developing research objectives, questions and hypotheses.

Development of methods; ethical consideration; submission and presentation of the proposal; IRB documentation

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Class participation & Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 25/50 to pass the course.

This is an advanced  course that introduces the student to the neurobiological basis of higher cognition and affect.  This is a continuation of paper 1 in the first semester.

 Cells to systems, Memory Systems – Declarative and Nondeclarative, Working Memory. (Imaging and Behavioural methods)

 Theories and methodologies. (Imaging and Behavioural methods)

Eysenck M.W. and Keane M.T. (2015) Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook. 7th Edition. Psychology Press.

Kalat, J. W. (2019). Biological psychology. Boston, MA, USA: Cengage

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 40% is required to pass the course.(CIA+ESE)

This is an advanced course which is a sequel to the course on ‘Introduction to Neuropsychology’ offered in Semester II. This course introduces the learner to Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention

Framework of the Examination; Conducting the Examination; Procedural Considerations; Maximising the patient’s performance level; Quantitative and Qualitative data, Reporting scores, Pattern Analysis, Integrated interpretation

 Assessment of Orientation, Perception, Attention and Executive functions

Assessment of Language, Memory and Construction

Introduction to Neuropsychological intervention and Rehabilitation; Neuroplasticity; Cognitive Retraining; Neurofeedback; Electroconvulsive therapy, Therapeutic neuromodulation, TMS, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Magnetic seizure therapy, Vagus nerve stimulation, Implanted cortical stimulation, Neurosurgical treatments and deep brain stimulation

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE. 

This course covers the domain of psychopathology. The scientific bases of contemporary theories and research regarding psychological disorders with emphasis on deficits in specific cognitive domains will be studied, with a goal of helping the student recognize and conceptualize the disorders. Students will learn about the classification systems, types and causes of mental disorders, their assessment, and treatment.

Classification systems: Conceptions of Psychopathology; Etiological models

Neurocognitive disorders: Delirium, Dementia, Amnesic disorder TBI, Epilepsy: Clinical picture and etiology; Schizophrenia: Clinical Picture, etiology

Substance use Disorders: Common features of addiction, Commonly used drugs: Nicotine, Cannabis, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, Alcohol; Anxiety disorders: Panic disorder, & GAD: Clinical Picture, etiology; Trauma and stressor-related disorders: PTSD, OCD & Tourette Syndrome

Neurodevelopmental disorders: Learning disability, Intellectual disability, Autistic disorders; ADHD; Mood disorders: Major depression & bipolar disorders: Clinical Picture, etiology

American Psychological Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th.ed.)(DSM-5). Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Pvt) Ltd

Carlson, N.R. (2004). Physiological of behaviour (8th .ed.). Allyn & Bacon.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

This course extends the learning in Quantitative research methods in Psychology by introducing students descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will be given opportunity in this course to carry out statistical analysis. Students will be trained in software packages such as SPSS, Excel & other open-source statistical packages. The central objective of the course is to provide an exposure to quantitative analysis techniques.

Scales of measurement; Definition and purpose of psychological statistics; Probability distribution and normal curve; Measures of central tendency and variability; Graphical representation of data 

Confidence interval and odds- ratio; Levels of significance, type – I and type – II errors, one-and two-tailed tests; Parametric and nonparametric tests of significance

Statistical analysis of single - sample study: testing a sample mean by t-test; Statistical analysis of two sample experiments: the independent samples t-test, the dependent sample t-test; Statistical analysis of complex experiments: analysis of variance – F test (computing and interpreting one-way, two-way ANOVA and their logic);MANOVA and Post-hoc tests; Non parametric tests - within and between group;  Inferential statistical analysis using EXCEL, SPSS & open source statistical packages , APA 7th edition style of report writing Inferential 

Correlation: product-moment, point-biserial, phi, biserial, tetrachoric, spearman’s correlation coefficients; Regression, Mediation, Moderation; Excel, SPSS & open-source statistical packages - Data entry and Descriptive statistical analysis, Reporting Statistics

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with a minimum overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation to be eligible to write the ESE.

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop skills in assessment, administration, scoring and interpretation of developmental and cognitive tests.

Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS)

Binet Kamat Test of Intelligence (BKT), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth edition (WISC-IV), Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence II (WASI- 2), NIMHANS Specific Learning Disability Battery

Wechsler Memory Scale -3rd Edition (WMS-III)

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III), NIMHANS Neuropsychology Battery

Rao, S.L. et al. (2004). NIMHANS Neuropsychology Battery- Manual. NIMHANS

Strauss, E., Sherman, E. M. S., & Spreen, O. (2006). A compendium of neuropsychological tests : administration, norms, and commentary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 40% is required to pass the course.(CIA+ESE)

The course aims at consolidation of the service-learning initiative begun in the first semester. Course Objectives: The course helps the learner engage with the community, conduct psychodiagnostic testing in the community and screen for mental health issues.

In this course students will spend two hours a week or a total of 30 hours during the semester involved in supervised community service. Students will carry out psychological assessments and screen for mental health concerns in the community.

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

This course is the second of two labs that facilitate the evolving research dissertation of the student. Following the research proposal presented in the second semester, students will undertake the data collection and analysis of the data during the third semester. Through peer feedback and instructor support, students will critically examine the issues of reliability and validity of their work and engage in data analysis using SPSS. The student will also gain familiarity with the presentation of qualitative data in a scientific format.

The students engage in data collection, data analysis and development of a research manuscript for publication.

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 30 Marks

Class participation: 5 marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation marks to be eligible to write the ESE. 

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 50% is required to pass the course. (CIA+ESE)

The Journal Club provides the Master’s Programme student an opportunity to present and discuss current studies in the field of Neuropsychology. This course is situated in the third semester of the programme. At this point in the Programme, the student has completed coursework in Quantitative Research Methods and has developed skills in writing a research proposal. The purpose of the course is to enable the student to discuss and critique current research in Neuropsychology in a scientific forum. 

Identification of current research published in high impact-factor journals; Presentation and discussion of journal articles with critical evaluation.

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Class participation & Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 25/50 to pass the course.

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and applications of human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in the field of neuropsychology. The course will cover the fundamental principles of human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, with a focus on their application in neuropsychology research and practice. Students will learn the principles of design and evaluation of human-computer interaction and how to use artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to analyze large datasets in neuropsychology.

Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Paradigms; Interaction design basics; Design rules- Shneiderman’s eight golden rules, Norman’s seven principles, Norman’s model of interaction, Nielsen’s ten heuristics; Evaluating Interactive Systems

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence; Introduction to Machine Learning; Introduction Deep Learning

Supervised Learning; Unsupervised Learning; Evaluating AI and Machine Learning Models

Human-in-the-Loop Machine Learning; Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Neuropsychology;  Ethics and Bias in AI

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)  - 70%

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 30 Marks

Class participation: 5 marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation marks to be eligible to write the ESE. 

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 50% is required to pass the course. (CIA+ESE)

This graduate level course is designed to survey predominant psychotherapy theories, emphasizing evidence based practice. This course is designed with an intention to orient students to the theoretical foundations, processes, skills and techniques underlying different psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment and care of persons with mental illness.  Designed as an introductory course in psychotherapy, it allows students to walk the bridge that connects theory with practise and in turn helps them comprehend and reflect on the psychotherapeutic assessments and interventions.

Psychoanalytic, Brief Analytic, Object-Relations, and Interpersonal Approaches

Behavioral therapy: Systematic desensitization, flooding, aversion therapy, EMDR Cognitive therapy (Beck), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Ellis). 

Electroconvulsive therapy, Therapeutic neuromodulation, TMS, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Magnetic seizure therapy, Vagus nerve stimulation, Implanted cortical stimulation, Neurosurgical treatment s and deep brain stimulation

Major Dominant theories of Family Therapy - classical, post-modern and social constructivistic approaches; Group Therapy: Theories of group therapy, emergence of group interventions as de facto forms of treatment and brief forms of group therapy; Treatment planning using Group interventions – choice of treatment and modality

Barlow, D. (2014). Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual (5th ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

Sadock, B.J. & Sadock, V.A. & Ruiz, P (2015). Kaplan & Sadock’s Synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th. Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Nichols, P.M & Schwartz C.R (2006). Family Therapy –concepts and methods, 7 th edition, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, Pearson education, Inc.

Gabbard, G. O., Beck, J. S., & Holmes, J. (Eds.). (2005). Oxford textbook of psychotherapy. Oxford University Press. 

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 30 Marks

Class participation: 5 marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 33/65 including class participation marks to be eligible to write the ESE. 

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 50% is required to pass the course. (CIA+ESE)

The course on ‘Foundations in Neurochemistry’ is a fundamental course to understand the neurochemical basis of neuron function and dysfunction. Students will be introduced to the essential molecular aspects of brain cell metabolism and function, cellular basis, and signal transduction; during normal and pathological conditions.

1.              Brain energy metabolism – biomolecules and their significance in brain function and dysfunction

2.              Neurotransmitters (catecholamines, serotonin, acetylcholine, excitatory & inhibitory neurotransmitters), their synthesis and release, and neurotransmitter receptors

3.              Cellular signaling mechanisms and neuroinflammation

4.              Genes and behavior

5. Drugs (metabolism and drug abuse) 

Kandel, Principles of Neural Science (5th edition), McGraw Hill, 2013

Squire, Fundamental Neuroscience (4th Edition), Elsevier, 2013

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

 Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

The course on ‘Behavior therapy with developmental disabilities’ is designed to equip the student with skills in Behaviour assessment and interventions using principles of behaviour therapy for behaviour modification. Objective measures of documentation and reporting will be emphasized. Critical aspects of Professional Conduct in the practice of Behaviour therapy with children with developmental disabilities will be highlighted. 

Continuous measurement procedures; discontinuous measurement procedures;  permanent-product recording procedures; data entry and graphs; Practicum: Conduct preference assessment and assist with individual and functional assessment procedures

Written skill acquisition plan;  contingencies of reinforcement; discrete-trial teaching procedures; naturalistic teaching procedures (e.g., incidental teaching); task analyzed chaining procedures; discrimination training; stimulus control transfer procedures; prompt and prompt fading procedures;  generalization and maintenance procedures; shaping procedures; token economy procedures. 

Communication in the supervisory process; Objective session note documentation; Professional boundaries; Client dignity 

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition). Pearson Education.

Diaz, Y., & Claudio, P. (2020). The RBT Book: A Comprehensive Instructional Manual for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) Working in ABA. 305 Publishing, Incorporated. 

Miltenberger, R. G. (2012). Behavior modification: Principles and procedures.  Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 

Tarbox, J., & Tarbox, C. (2017). Training manual for behavior technicians working with individuals with autism. Academic Press

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Class participation & Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 25/50 to pass the course.

This introductory Social Neuroscience course delves into an emerging field

focusing on the intricate interplay between neural mechanisms and social behaviour. Through

theoretical exploration, empirical research, and critical analysis, students will gain a

comprehensive understanding of how the brain processes social information, regulates social

behaviour, and shapes or is shaped by social interactions. The course will cover topics while

drawing on cutting-edge research from neuroscience, psychology, and related disciplines.

Introduction to Social Neuroscience & Methods- Historical overview and theoretical

foundations; Key concepts and terminology in social neuroscience Experimental designs and

data analysis in social neuroscience research. Evolutionary perspectives: Social Intelligence and

Culture.

Processing of facial expressions and social cues: body language and gestures; social cognition;

Neural mechanisms underlying empathy, theory of mind and mentalizing. Social influences on

emotional experience; Neurobiology of emotion regulation, social reward and punishment;

Attachment formation and maintenance; Role of oxytocin in social bonding and trust.

Social Influence and Persuasion - Neural basis of social influence and conformity, persuasion

and attitude change; social norms, Group and identity; Morality and Aggression.Social Decision-

Making - Neuroeconomics and decision neuroscience; Trust, reciprocity, and cooperation in

social dilemmas; Neural mechanisms underlying altruism and prosocial behaviour.

Ethical Considerations and Challenges in Social Neuroscience – Neuroethics; Informed consent,

privacy, and societal implications; Therapeutic implications in social disorders.

Future Directions and Challenges in Social Neuroscience - Emerging trends and technologies in

social neuroscience; Challenges and limitations in interpreting neural data; Clinical implications:

social deficits in psychiatric disorders; Social neuroscience in education and marketing.

●       Social Neuroscience: People Thinking about Thinking People by John T. Cacioppo, Penny S. Visser, and Cynthia L. Pickett

●       Social Neuroscience: Toward Understanding the Underpinnings of the Social Mind by

Alexander Todorov, Susan Fiske, and Deborah Prentice

 Selected research articles and book chapters from leading journals in social neuroscience

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Class participation & Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 25/50 to pass the course.

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop skills in assessment, administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological test (clinical rating scales, projective and semi-projective measures)

Sacks Sentence Completion Test (SSCT); Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)

Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Childhood Autism Rating Scale- 2nd edition (CARS2), Conners 3rd edition 

●               Rao, S.L. et al. (2004). NIMHANS Neuropsychology Battery- Manual. NIMHANS

Strauss, E., Sherman, E. M. S., & Spreen, O. (2006). A compendium of neuropsychological tests : administration, norms, and commentary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press

End semester examination (ESE) - 30%   

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)

CIA 1: 30 marks

CIA 2: 35 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks 

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both the CIAs with a minimum of 33/65 to be eligible to write the ESE.

End Semester Examination (ESE)

The passing grade for the ESE is 40%

An overall grade of 40% is required to pass the course.(CIA+ESE)

In Laboratory practicum students spend 60 hours in Laboratory rotations with exposure to EEG, Eye tracking, Neurochemistry, Biofeedback and EEG Neurofeedback.

The practicum students would have to complete coursework in the following courses prior to onset of practicum:

●               Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

●               Neurobiological Basis of Cognition- I & II

●               Introduction to Neuropsychology and Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention

●               Assessment: Cognition

Introduction to Eye Tracking; Data collection for an Eye Tracking experiment; Working with Eye Tracking data - basic extraction and analysis

Introduction to Biofeedback and underlying psychophysiological basis; Demo of live Biofeedback recording; Data collection for Biofeedback; Working with Biofeedback data- basic extraction and analysis.

Introduction to EEG Neurofeedback and underlying psychophysiological basis; Demo of live Neurofeedback recording; Data collection for Neurofeedback; Working with Neurofeedback data- basic extraction and analysis

a)              Introduction to laboratory tools (micropipette handling, sterilization techniques, centrifugation, Chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy)

b)             Techniques for study of biomolecules (proteins)

i.Brain Protein extraction

ii. Protein estimation

iii.Paper chromatography/ Thin layer chromatography

iv.Protein purification and detection by immunoblotting (workshop mode) (optional)

c)              Techniques for study of neuroanatomy (cytology, microscopy)

Visualization of cells (Neurons and Glia) by staining – CV, H&E

●               Edmonds, W. A., & Tenenbaum, G. (2012). Case studies in applied psychophysiology: Neurofeedback and biofeedback treatments for advances in human performance. Wiley-Blackwell.

●               Libenson, M. H. (2009). Practical approach to electroencephalography. Elsevier

●               Luck, Steven J. (2005). introduction to the event related potential technique. MIT Press.

Schwartz, M. S., & Andrasik, F. (2005). Biofeedback: A practioner's guide. New York: Guilford.

Each posting will be evaluated for 25 marks (Total=100 marks). There is no ESE.

In community practicum students spend 150 hours (100 direct hours and 50 indirect hours) in a community development project requiring clinical and neuropsychological assessment.  This practicum is offered in the third semester. The student develops skills in psychodiagnostic assessment which is taught in the Assessment: Psychopathology course offered in the same semester. The practicum students would have to complete coursework in the following courses prior to onset of practicum:

●               Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

●               Neurobiological Basis of Cognition- I & II

●               Assessment: Cognition

●               Neuropsychological and Neurobiological bases of behaviour Across the Lifespan

●               Introduction to Neuropsychology

●               Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention

During the Community practicum the students will be enrolled in the following courses to further develop their skills.

The clinical practicum is a 75 hour practicum offering students the opportunity to develop skills in neuropsychological assessment and report writing 

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

The neuropsychology case conference provides the student with an opportunity to present case relevant details of patients they have worked with in the Supervised clinical practicum course. This would include neuropsychology intake, assessment and formulation.

Neuropsychological history, assessment and intervention plan will be presented and discussed by students in an ethical manner with the purpose of developing their skills in neuropsychological case formulation.

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Class participation & Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass all the CIA components with an overall CIA mark of 25/50 to pass the course.

This course has been conceptualized in order to equip the students with the necessary skills of publishing their manuscript in an academic journal and presenting their research work in a conference. The process will be supervised by the respective research supervisors.

Course Objective: 

To help the learner gain familiarity with the process of publication

To help the learner gain exposure to seminars and conferences

Identifying types of journals, preparing a manuscript according to author guidelines provided by the journal,

Preparing a scientific poster, preparing a presentation for an academic conference

CIA 1: 20 marks

CIA 2: 25 Marks

Attendance: 5 marks

All CIAs are must pass assessments with a passing grade of 50%. If a student does not meet the passing grade for CIA, s/he will have to repeat the CIA again before moving to the next CIA. The student must pass both CIAs to pass the course

In Supervised practicum students spend 480 hours engaging in a supervised practicum in a community mental health setting. Of these hours, 320 hours (200 hours direct and 120 hours indirect) must be in a community or clinical setting and 160 hours can be in a community or clinical or research setting (120 hours direct and 40 indirect hours if opting for a clinical setting).  This practicum is offered in the fourth semester. Students are expected to attend group and individual supervision both on-site and on campus. The student develops skills in neuropsychological assessment, rehabilitation and research. The practicum students would have to complete coursework in the following courses prior to onset of internship:

●               Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

●               Neurobiological Basis of Cognition- I & II

●               Neuropsychological and Neurobiological bases of behaviour Across the Lifespan

●               Introduction to Neuropsychology

●               Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention

●               Assessment: Psychopathology

Assessment: Cognition

Practicum Students engage in 480 hours of supervised practicum through an internship in a community, clinical, and/or research setting requiring neuropsychological assessment and intervention. Individual and Group supervision is carried out at the supervision site and on campus. The student must complete 20 hours of group supervision and 10 hours of individual supervision through the course.

ESE- 60 marks 

Total- 200 marks