94914 Neurological and Mental Health Conditions
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Students completing this subject consolidate and advance their knowledge of neuroanatomy, neuroplasticity, pathology, and healing processes of the neurological and neuromuscular systems. Specifically, students develop clinical knowledge of sudden, developmental, or degenerative neurologic conditions across the lifespan (e.g., spinal cord injury, dementia, stroke, Huntington’s disease, etc.), while expanding practical skills in clinical assessment and interpretation, exercise selection, prescription, delivery, progression, monitoring, and case management, by adopting evidenced-based practice and applying scientific knowledge. Students also obtain knowledge into mental health (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, etc.) and severe mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, addiction, etc.), and trauma-related conditions. Students gain an understanding of common barriers to exercise in these populations while developing evidence-based strategies to overcome these barriers. Students prepare for clinical placement, accreditation, and professional practice using critical thinking and clinical reasoning to deliver optimal outcomes within a person-centred approach.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Apply, integrate, and adapt knowledge and skills of normal and pathologic neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology together with neuroplasticity and healing processes of the neurological and neuromuscular system as it relates to management of sudden, developmental, or degenerative disease; as well as the clinical features, diagnostic procedures and treatments associated with mental health problems inclusive of severe mental illness and disorders. |
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| 2. | Apply appropriate screening, risk management strategies, and behaviour change principles to safely create, prescribe, implement, and evaluate effective interventions for people with neurological and mental health conditions to optimise health outcomes. |
| 3. | Apply evidence-informed practice and professional decision-making to optimise person-centred care across neurological and mental health conditions. |
| 4. | Effectively and respectively communicate with clients and other relevant professionals that results in shared decision-making through collaborative and interprofessional neurological and mental health practice. |
| 5. | Engage with ongoing personal and professional self-development and reflective practice as it pertains to neurological and mental health conditions. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Engage with ongoing personal and professional self-development and reflective practice (1.1)
- Develop ongoing interprofessional, innovative and collaborative practice. (1.2)
- Apply, integrate, and adapt knowledge and skills to optimise health outcomes across a broad range of face-to-face and digital services. (2.1)
- Apply appropriate risk management strategies and behaviour change principles to safely prescribe, implement, and evaluate effective interventions for clients across the full health spectrum. (2.2)
- Apply evidence-informed practice and professional decision-making to optimise person-centred care. (2.3)
- Effectively and respectively communicate with clients and other professionals to facilitate shared decision making. (2.4)
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning in this subject is designed to place students at the centre of the learning experience, in part through the use of a range of modes and activities. Five online modules will form the foundations of the subject, which will be complimented by adjacent face-to-face classes (tutorials and practicals) that will allow student to put their learnings into practice.
The subject content will be delivered in the online platform Canvas. This will include discussion forums and other activities, allowing students to engage with the content and peers, throughout the learning. These activities and discussions will also foster the development of self-discovery/self-directed learning skills, as well as critical thinking skills. They will challenge students to consider how they can apply learnt concepts to real world environments.
In order to be prepared for the planned face-to-face-to-face classes, students are encouraged to engage with the content on at least a weekly basis. Content will remain available past the specific delivery week; however students will be expected to cover each module on a week-to-week basis.
Students will be required to communicate information and demonstrate their understanding in a variety of formats, including written and verbal forms. Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate application of what they have learned, with individual feedback provided following each of the three assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
Module 1 - Introduction to 94194
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Neuroanatomy
Module 2: Neurological disorders
Week 3: Neuromuscular disorders
Week 4: Neurodegenerative disorders Part 1
Week 5: Neurodegenerative disorders Part 2
Week 6: Traumatic insult and injury-related neurological disorders
Week 7: Neurodevelopmental disorders
Module 3: Parasport and Adaptive Games
Week 8: Parasport and Adaptive Games
Module 4: Mental Disorders
Week 9: Mental Health, Mental illness & Stigma
Week 10: Common Mental Illness
Week 11: Severe Mental Illness
Week 12: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders, Personality Disorders
Week 13: Eating disorders
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Learning journal – Neurological and Mental Health Conditions
| Intent: | The primary objective of this assessment is to create a comprehensive ‘learning journal’ that compiles essential knowledge and clinical practice skills related to neurological and mental health conditions. This learning journal will compile evidence-based learnings from lectures and practical classes to inform exercise assessment, prescription and intervention, therefore supporting in exam preparation, while providing a resource for ongoing personal and professional development. The learning journal serves as a tool for fostering lifelong learning, making it a valuable resource that can be utilised post-studies and in the workplace. This assessment aligns with learning outcomes SLO1, SLO3, and SLO5. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 |
| Type: | Journal |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric. |
Assessment task 2: Viva Voce - Mental Health Conditions including Severe Mental Illness
| Intent: | The purpose of this viva voce (oral assessment) is to evaluate students' application of knowledge related to mental health conditions, including severe mental illness and Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders covered in weeks 9-12. This assessment aligns with learning outcomes SLO1, SLO2, SLO3, SLO4 and SLO5. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric. |
Assessment task 3: Written examination
| Intent: | The purpose of this written examination is to assess students' comprehensive understanding of theoretical and practical material related to the unit. This assessment aims to evaluate students' knowledge accumulation throughout weeks 1-12. This assessment aligns with learning outcomes SLO1, SLO2, and SLO3. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric. |
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts.
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, old exam papers, academic writing guides, health literature databases, workshops, a gaming room and bookable group study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with all your questions.
W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.