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PSYC13-308: Drugs and Behaviour

Description

 This subject comprises an overview of issues pertaining to psychoactive drugs, especially drugs of abuse. Topics covered include the different classes of psychoactive drugs and their effects; the basis of drug actions in the brain; theories of drug addiction and alcoholism; substance abuse treatments; therapeutic uses of psychoactive drugs; and drugs and society. This subject also aims to develop a critical thinking perspective on issues and findings in drugs and alcohol research.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: PSYC13-308
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • January 2026 [Standard Offering]
  • September 2026 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $4,460.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $4,600.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $4,810.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,990.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $6,260.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $6,550.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Evaluate theories and empirical findings in psychopharmacology, including the action of psychoactive drugs, addiction, and pharmacological interventions in psychiatry.
  2. Apply knowledge and skills of Psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
  3. Critically evaluate and synthesise psychopharmacology literature to communicate evidence-based arguments using APA conventions.
  4. Communicate psychopharmacology research to an academic audience using evidence-based scientific reasoning.
  5. Investigate psychological questions through the critical evaluation, selection, and synthesis of appropriate scholarly sources and methods.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

All Psychology programs are accredited in the sequence presented and designed to provide students with learning and graduate outcomes in line with APAC accreditation standards. In order to meet these outcomes, students in the Undergraduate program should complete PSYC11, then PSYC12, and finally PSYC13 subjects in the order sequenced.

Restrictions:

Subject dates

January 2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
Semester start: 19/01/2026
Subject start: 19/01/2026
Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
Teaching census: 13/02/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026
September 2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 19/07/2026
Semester start: 14/09/2026
Subject start: 14/09/2026
Last enrolment: 27/09/2026
Teaching census: 09/10/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 10/10/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 31/10/2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
Semester start: 19/01/2026
Subject start: 19/01/2026
Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
Teaching census: 13/02/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026