PSYC13-312: Psychopathology

Description

This subject develops knowledge of the major psychopathological disorders experienced by adolescents and adults, as explained in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders psychiatric classification system. These subject covers aetiology, characteristic symptoms, diagnostic features and synopsis of evidence-based treatment of several clinical disorders. The subject covers predominant paradigms for understanding psychopathology with particular emphasis on the biopsychosocial approach. Ethical issues regarding the applied practice of psychology are introduced with reference to Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct and Professional Competencies.

Subject details

Type:	Undergraduate Subject
Code:	PSYC13-312
EFTSL:	0.125
Faculty:	Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:	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

Evaluate theories, classification systems, and empirical findings in abnormal psychology across the major categories of psychological disorders, including anxiety, mood, personality, psychotic, and addictive disorders.
Reflect on how personal values, assumptions and biases shape the understanding and formulation of psychological disorders.
Present a psychological case analysis orally to a tutorial audience.
Collaborate with peers to prepare and deliver a tutorial presentation on a psychopathology topic.
Investigate psychological questions using appropriate scholarly sources and methods.
Explain principles of self-care relevant to engaging with distressing clinical material.

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:

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 outlines

Subject dates

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:	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