Course Description
PSYC5010 Seminar in Research Methods I
3 units; 3 Lect.
This course helps students to understand the concepts and methods of data analysis in social research. In particular, we will learn how to apply appropriate statistical methods in various research scenarios and how to interpret the results. The usage of statistical packages such as SPSS will be covered. Even though mathematical proofs and statistical derivations will be reduced to a minimum, having the knowledge of basic mathematics and matrix manipulations will be helpful.
Prerequisites for Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology's student: PSY1010, 1020, 2050; and permission of course teacher.
PSYC6020 Special Topics in Clinical Practices
3 units; 3 STOT; 1st term.
This advanced course in clinical practice encompasses specialty modules in a diversified spectrum covering topics and areas that graduates may encounter in local service settings. There are essentially four learning modules covering Violence, Behavioural Excess, Medical Psychology and Forensic Psychology. Students will learn about the theoretical knowledge base, current clinical and community intervention approaches, as well as information on local practice and resources.
PSYC6100 Ethics and Professional Issues
1 unit; 1 STOT; 1st term.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of professional and ethical practice as clinical psychologists. References will be made to the most current international perspectives and codes of professional conduct to inform our understanding of best practices as scientist-practitioners. Topics covered in this module include local professional practice guidelines, international codes of conduct, the scientist-practitioner model, evidence-based practices, ethical and legal issues in assessment and research, diversity and multicultural considerations, and professional development issues. This course serves as an orientation to the profession of clinical psychology for new trainees.
PSYC6210 Research Issues in Clinical Psychology
1 unit; 2 SEM; 2nd term.
This seminar addresses methodological issues and strategies in clinical research. Major topics include principles and practices of clinical research; basic concepts and design of clinical measures; sources of artifact and bias in clinical research; analyses and interpretation of clinical research data; and ethical issues raised by clinical research.
PSYC6220 Independent Study
1 unit; 2nd term.
Students may select a special topic in Psychology and pursue an independent study in consultation with and under the supervision of one of the faculty members. The topic and content of the study will be individually determined.
PSYC6230 Thesis I
1 units each
Research on an approved topic for writing a thesis under individualized supervision.
PSYC6231 Thesis II
1 units each
Research on an approved topic for writing a thesis under individualized supervision
PSYC6240 Neuropsychology Assessment
3 units; 2 SEM; 2 LAB.; 1st term
This seminar addresses the application of neuropsychology for clinical assessment. Emphasis will be on the examination of the effects of CNS on the behaviours of individuals and the cognitive disorders associated with various brain disorders. Several widely used instruments (i.e., tests and test battery) which measure a variety of neuropsychological disorders will be discussed.
PSYC6610 Psychopathology
3 units; 3 Lect.
This course introduces students to the key concepts and issues related to various mental disorders. Students will learn about the clinical phenomenology of different mental disorders and how these disorders are classified and diagnosed according to the DSM system. Throughout the course, students will learn to integrate research findings from bio-psycho-social domains and develop an integrative perspective in understanding the development of different mental disorders.
PSYC6620 Health and Community Psychology
3 units; 3 Lect; 2 Tut.
This course provides a fundamental background in health and community psychology. Students will have the opportunity to critically examine and evaluate conceptual, methodological, and research issues that are germane in health and community psychology. New developments in these areas will be covered to equip students to lead the field. Focus will be on the synthesis and integration of the two disciplines within a person-in-environment perspective. Students are expected to evaluate issues not only at the individual level, but as well as within the ecology, including groups, settings, communities, cultures, etc. Furthermore, prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation are equally emphasized. It is the aim that students will have a fundamental understanding of major health and community psychology concepts and be able to conceptualize various health issues and formulate sound interventions in an ecological perspective.
PSYC6710 Intelligence Assessment
3 units; 2 Lect; 2 Lab; 1st term.
This course examines the theoretical, practical and cross-cultural problems in the assessment of intellectual and adaptive functioning. Both the clinical and psychometric approaches will be used. Emphasis will be placed on clinical interview, history-taking and other assessment techniques, test administration, scoring, results interpretation and report writing. A number of the widely used instruments in Hong Kong will be covered, and teaching and learning will take the form of interactive lectures and hands-on experiential learning.
PSYC6720 Assessment of Psychopathology and Personality
3 units; 2 Lect; 2 Lab; 2nd term.
This course focuses on the theoretical, practical and cross-cultural issues related to the assessment of psychopathology and personality. Students will be exposed to a variety of clinical evaluation protocols used for the collection of data in order to evaluate the psycholopathological status of an individual. They will learn about the application of these techniques to a wide range of clinical psychological problems as stipulated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder Version 5 (DSM-V). These include mental state examination, test administration and interpretation, diagnostic decision making, integration of material derived from patient history and other sources, and comprehensive case conceptualization.
PSYC6730 Intervention Seminar I: Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies
3 units; 2 Lect; 2 Lab; 1st term.
The course will serve as the first introduction to behavioural and cognitive therapies and emphasize both theoretical and practical training. It aims at training students basic competence to begin practising behavioural and cognitive therapies for adult psychological/psychiatric disorders. In the first part of the course, the general procedure of behavioural and cognitive therapies will be discussed, while in the second part, the application of behavioural and cognitive therapies to specific disorders, e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders, etc., will be elaborated. A substantial proportion of time during class will be allocated to discussing simulated therapy sessions on videotapes. The students are expected to do their own readings before coming to class. They will be required to make presentations on the application of behavioural and cognitive therapies to specific disorders, as well as on intervention studies regarding their efficacy and effectiveness.
PSYC6740 Intervention Seminar II: Working with Children and Adolescents
3 units; 2 Lect; 2 Lab; 2nd term.
The course will emphasize both theoretical and practical training on work with children and adolescents. It first starts with a discussion on developmental psychopathology. Then, the major focus of the course would aim at training students basic competence to perform intake diagnostic interview, assessment, diagnostic formulation, case conceptualization, and treatment planning, as well as to practise psychological intervention in treating various childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders, etc., as illustration of the treatment processes. The course ends at discussing how to match and fine-tune common treatment processes to particular aspects of different disorders. A substantial proportion of the time during class will be allocated to discussing simulated therapy sessions and role-play on videotapes. The students are expected to do their own readings before coming to class.
PSYC6750 Intervention Seminar III: Special Topics
3 units; 2 Lect; 1 Lab.
The course consists of two parts. The first part focuses on the clinical management of clients with a history of psychological trauma. The management of a client with trauma history is challenging. This difficulty comes from various aspects, including unstable therapeutic relationships, acute crises, and the intrusions of trauma memories. A series of topics are designed to cover these issues. The second part of the course is devoted to a process-oriented view of psychotherapy. Process-oriented treatment targets the general patterns and common factors of psychotherapy, especially the interpersonal transaction between a client and a therapist. Studying the process of psychotherapy is expected to increase the flexibility in clinical practice.
PSYC6830 Clinical Placement III
2 units each
Students receive comprehensive clinical training under the supervision of experienced clinical psychologists in various setting, e.g., hospitals, clinics, social welfare settings, child assessment centres, Correctional Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force.
PSYC6840 Clinical Placement IV
2 units
Students receive comprehensive clinical training under the supervision of experienced clinical psychologists in various setting, e.g., hospitals, clinics, social welfare settings, child assessment centres, Correctional Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force.
PSYC6850 Clinical Placement V
2 units each
Students receive comprehensive clinical training under the supervision of experienced clinical psychologists in various setting, e.g., hospitals, clinics, social welfare settings, child assessment centres, Correctional Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force.
PSYC6911 Clinical Seminar I
3 units
This series of seminars is primarily designed for the integration of theory and practice in conjunction with clinical placement or other clinical experience. Clinical cases will be presented and discussed, with a focus on case conceptualization and formulation, and evaluation of treatment planning.
PSYC6921 Clinical Seminar II
3 units
This series of seminars is primarily designed for the integration of theory and practice in conjunction with clinical placement or other clinical experience. Clinical cases will be presented and discussed, with a focus on case conceptualization and formulation, and evaluation of treatment planning.
PSYC6931 Clinical Seminar III
3 units
This series of seminars is primarily designed for the integration of theory and practice in conjunction with clinical placement or other clinical experience. Clinical cases will be presented and discussed, with a focus on case conceptualization and formulation, and evaluation of treatment planning.
PSYC6941 Clinical Seminar IV
2 units each; 2 STOT.
This series of seminars is primarily designed for the integration of theory and practice in conjunction with clinical placement or other clinical experience. Clinical cases will be presented and discussed, with a focus on case conceptualization and formulation, and evaluation of treatment planning.
