The Psychopharmacology Institute

 

Course Descriptions

 

 

PDMS 1 - Introduction to Pharmacopsychology

          This is an introductory course in pharmacopsychology that orients the student to the content necessary to become an expert psychopharmacologist.  A cursory review of neuroscience, biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology will be conducted.

 

PDMS 2 - Anatomy & Physiology

          This course will cover the organs systems of the human body from the cellular level to the organ system level.  Both structure and function will be focused upon and coursework will be directed toward clinical applications of content. 

         

PDMS 3 - Biochemistry

          This course will orient the student to human biochemistry covering such topics as energy production, nutrition, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipids, genetics, biochemical cycles and other biochemical principles important to human life.  Discussions will focus on pathophysiological and pharmacological applications of this knowledge base. 

 

PDMS 4 - Neuroscience 1

          This course will serve as an introduction of neuroscience to the student.  An orientation to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry will be had.  A continued focus on the applications in clinical practice will be conducted. 

 

PDMS 5 - Neuroscience 2

          This course will continue the student’s learning of neuroscience. Greater depth in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry will be had.  A continued focus on the applications in clinical practice will be conducted. 

 

PDMS 6 - Neuroscience 3

          This course will continue the student’s learning of neuroscience. Greater depth in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry will be had.  A continued focus on the applications in clinical practice will be conducted. 

 

PDMS 7 - Neuroscience 4

          This course will continue the student’s learning of neuroscience. Greater depth in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry will be had.  A continued focus on the applications in clinical practice will be conducted. 

 

PDMS 8 - Neuropathology

          This course will serve as an integration of the prior neuroscience classes with special emphasis on the pathophysiology of neurological and neuropsychological disorders.  Treatment protocols inclusive of a biopsychosocial approach will be thoroughly reviewed.

 

PDMS 9 - Pharmacology I

          This is an introductory course to pharmacology.  Topics covered will include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, side effects, potency, efficacy, and drug classes. 

 

PDMS 10 - Pharmacology II

          Pharmacology II through Pharmacology VI (PDMS 10 through PDMS 14) successively build upon each other in developing an understanding of pharmacological agents used in immunology, cardiology, neurology, family practice, pulmonology, and other areas of medicine.  Specific attention is paid to the interaction of differing agents, contraindications, side effect profiles, drug-disease interactions and over the counter interactions.

 

PDMS 11 - Pharmacology III

          Pharmacology II through Pharmacology VI (PDMS 10 through PDMS 14) successively build upon each other in developing an understanding of pharmacological agents used in immunology, cardiology, neurology, family practice, pulmonology, and other areas of medicine.  Specific attention is paid to the interaction of differing agents, contraindications, side effect profiles, drug-disease interactions and over the counter interactions.

 

PDMS 12 - Pharmacology IV

          Pharmacology II through Pharmacology VI (PDMS 10 through PDMS 14) successively build upon each other in developing an understanding of pharmacological agents used in immunology, cardiology, neurology, family practice, pulmonology, and other areas of medicine.  Specific attention is paid to the interaction of differing agents, contraindications, side effect profiles, drug-disease interactions and over the counter interactions.

 

PDMS 13 - Pharmacology V

          Pharmacology II through Pharmacology VI (PDMS 10 through PDMS 14) successively build upon each other in developing an understanding of pharmacological agents used in immunology, cardiology, neurology, family practice, pulmonology, and other areas of medicine.  Specific attention is paid to the interaction of differing agents, contraindications, side effect profiles, drug-disease interactions and over the counter interactions.

 

PDMS 14 - Pharmacology VI

          Pharmacology II through Pharmacology VI (PDMS 10 through PDMS 14) successively build upon each other in developing an understanding of pharmacological agents used in immunology, cardiology, neurology, family practice, pulmonology, and other areas of medicine.  Specific attention is paid to the interaction of differing agents, contraindications, side effect profiles, drug-disease interactions and over the counter interactions.

 

PDMS 15 - Psychopharmacological Intervention I

          An introduction to the major classification of psychopharmacological agents and their uses will be conducted.  Antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiparkinsonian, psychostimulant, and mood stabilizing agents will be discussed.

 

PDMS 16 - Psychopharmacological Intervention II

          An introduction to the major classification of psychopharmacological agents and their uses will be conducted.  Antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiparkinsonian, psychostimulant, and mood stabilizing agents will be discussed.

 

PDMS 17 - Special Populations & Ethnopsychopharmacology

          This course covers the application of psychopharmacological principles and agents to emerging populations.  Furthermore, a discussion of the differing effects, side effects, interaction effects, and drug success profiles will be had in regards to differing patient demographic variables.

 

PDMS 18 - Pharmacopsychology I: The Integration of Psychotherapy, Psychodiagnostics, & Psychopharmacology

          This series of courses will review the interaction of psychological treatments and psychopharmacological treatments for the varying disorders found in the day-to-day practice of a clinical psychologist as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (Current Edition). 

 

PDMS 19 - Pharmacopsychology II: The Integration of Psychotherapy, Psychodiagnostics, & Psychopharmacology

          This series of courses will review the interaction of psychological treatments and psychopharmacological treatments for the varying disorders found in the day-to-day practice of a clinical psychologist as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (Current Edition). 

PDMS 20 - Assessment and Laboratory I

          This series of courses will review and discuss the current physical assessment and laboratory procedures applicable to medical psychological disorders.  Upon completion, a student will have an excellent understanding of the common history and physical and associated laboratories that are utilized to arrive at physical diagnoses.

 

PDMS 21 - Assessment and Laboratory II

          This series of courses will review and discuss the current physical assessment and laboratory procedures applicable to medical psychological disorders.  Upon completion, a student will have an excellent understanding of the common history and physical and associated laboratories that are utilized to arrive at physical diagnoses.

 

PDMS 22 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics I

          This series of courses will integrate the student’s prior doctoral learning, areas of expertise, and present postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology.  The student will gain an understanding of the application of biopsychosocial treatment plans across a wide variety of patient populations and diagnostic presentations. 

 

PDMS 23 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics II - Pharmacoepidemiology

          This series of courses will integrate the student’s prior doctoral learning, areas of expertise, and present postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology.  The student will gain an understanding of the application of biopsychosocial treatment plans across a wide variety of patient populations and diagnostic presentations.  Special emphasis will be given to the economics of pharmacotherapeutic measures in the treatment of mental disorders. 

 

PDMS 24 - Ethical & Legal Issues – Advocacy - Pharmacoeconomics

          A review of the American Psychological Association Professional Ethics for Psychologists and Code of Conduct will be had.  Special emphasis will be conducted in regards to the application of these principles in the day-to-day practice of pharmacopsychology. 

 

PDMS 25 - Case Presentations & Grand Rounds in Psychopharmacology

          This course will be a student driven course intended to both answer clinical questions that may not be covered in the other coursework as well as give the students a chance to present their learning to their peers.   Topic areas for this course will be collected on an ongoing basis from the student body and faculty.

 

PDMS 26 - “ The PEP-PREP©” - National Examinations in Psychopharmacology for Psychologists Preparation Course.

          This course is a comprehensive review of the set of sciences behind expert psychopharmacology.  The student will show expertise in psychopharmacology by completing a self-guided preparation for the national exam in psychopharmacology and taking an exam of the nature given by licensing boards for prescriptive authority.

 

PDMS 27 - 1 year/100 Patient Preceptorship (begin after Course #14)

          This course is required for graduation.  As the student is completing the preceptorship, all patient contact and supervisory experiences will be thoroughly documented for the student’s file.  Furthermore, a set of preceptorship educational goals will be provided to the assigned preceptor(s). 

 

PDMS 28 - Pathophysiology Practicum (begin after Course #14)

          This is a required practical experience with assigned text reading in pathophysiology.  The student is required to attend at least 80 hours of practicum under the supervision of an internal medicine physician or like professional.  A set of educational goals will be set forth by the program for the student to meet while in the pathophysiology practicum.