Graduate Studies Reports Access

Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - GMS6541
Tracking Number - 2449

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Current Status: -
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: Change
Course Change Information (for course changes only): Title, credits, description, etc. The original GMS 6541 course was created for the Doctoral of Physical Therapy students. The numbering of their course has been changed to DPT and thus, GMS 6541 is no longer used. Because the title of the former course was Pharmacology for Health Professionals, and the new course is entitled Neuropsychopharmacology for Health Professionals I, it seemed logical to recycle GMS 6541 for our new program. In addition, because there is no GMS 6542, I will propose that GMS 6542 be used for the second course in the two course sequence.
Comments: Still in processing in College; confirmed 7/7/11


Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2011-01-14
  2. Department: Medical Sciences
  3. College: MD
  4. Budget Account Number:
  5. Contact Person: Lynn Wecker
  6. Phone: 9745189
  7. Email: lwecker@health.usf.edu
  8. Prefix: GMS
  9. Number: 6541
  10. Full Title: Neuropsychopharmacology for Health Professionals I
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: N
  15. Are the credit hours variable?:
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Neuropsychopharm Hlth Prof I
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites:
  23. Corequisites:
  24. Course Description: This is the first in a two course sequence on the biological basis of behavior, and the manifestations of behavioral disorders and their treatment. This course will cover nervous system organization, cell signaling and basic pharmacological principles.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for new program/concentration/certificate
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This course is a requirement for a new graduate certificate and a new M.S. concentration in Brain and Mental Health. The goal of these programs is to serve the needs of the community by increasing the knowledge base of midcareer professionals in the mental health arena, thereby enhancing the knowledge and broadening the skills of mental health professionals, leading to better brain healthcare delivery.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) M.D. or Ph.D. or both
  29. Objectives: The course is designed to provide current knowledge on cell communication in the nervous system and basic principles of drug action to lay the foundation for understanding the biological basis of behavior, and the manifestations of behavioral disorders and their treatment. This course is a critical foundation for future learning and understanding.
  30. Learning Outcomes: Students wil learn how the nervous system is organized and how cells in the nervous system communicate. They will also learn the basic principles of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics and developmental aspects of drug action.
  31. Major Topics: The major course topics include: nervous system organization; neurchemical circuitry; neurotransmission and the life cycle of the major neurotransmitters; neurotransmitter receptors and signal transduction; synaptic plasticity; and basic pharmacological principles including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics and developmental aspects of drug action.
  32. Textbooks: Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals, by J.E. Kelsey, D. J. Newport and C.B. Nemeroff, John Wiley & Sons (2006)
  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases:
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: There will be 3 exams, each worth 25%, and discussions throughout the course, worth the remaining 25%.
  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: The exams will consist of both multiple choice and essay questions.
  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: Attendance is required for all sessions. Absences must be approved in advance or immediately upon return in the case of illness or personal emergencies. Students will be given an opportunity to make-up missed material, provided a reasonable excuse is provided. Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting. All students are expected to maintain academic integrity as per USF Guidelines USF Regulation 3.025.
  38. Program This Course Supports: A new Graduate Certificate and a new M.S. concentration in Brain and Mental Health
  39. Course Concurrence Information:


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.