Teaching
Biological Psychology II: Neuropsychology (Bachelor's Programme Psychology)
Event: Compulsory lecture, (Indicator: 19.1)
Teacher: Theresa Heidinger, BSc MSc
Period: in the last version of the curriculum since winter semester 2021, according to the new curriculum from 2024, 5th semester of Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology (winter semester)
Content: Students are introduced to the basic principles, investigative approaches, research methods and content-related findings of modern neuropsychology. They acquire in-depth insights into selected areas of neuroscience, in practical or clinical fields of application. This includes the basics of neuronal communication as well as structural and functional neuroanatomy of perception, sensory & motor functions as well as neurocognitive functions according to DSM-5. In addition, disorders of brain functions are introduced and isolated clinical disease patterns are highlighted. Students gain an insight into neuropsychological diagnostics and treatment. Based on the essential findings of current brain research, students are taught an integrative view of the human being as a biopsychosocial being.
Gerontopsychology (Bachelor's programme in Psychology)
Event: Elective seminar (Indicator: 8.2)
Teacher: Theresa Heidinger, BSc MSc
Time frame: According to the new curriculum since 2022, 2nd semester Bachelor Psychology (summer semester)
Content: Students get to know the basic concepts and theories of gerontological psychology, which deal with the experience and behaviour of people in old age and how it can be influenced. The concept of 'old age' is questioned, and at the same time the question is raised of how we ourselves can age as healthily and successfully as possible. Students will receive an overview of the current theories of ageing as well as insights into the living conditions of older people (physical, mental health in old age). A special focus is placed on dealing with older persons in a clinical context, diagnostics and interventions such as treatment, counselling and therapy are addressed. In the course of the events, participants are asked to read a scientific article, present it in plenary and, based on it, write a contribution for an internal seminar guidebook on the topic of 'How we age successfully'. If interested, this guidebook can be requested from the lecturer.
Seminar: Deepening the focus by attending selected seminars of the Health Sciences 'Neuropsychology' (Bachelor's programme Psychology)
Content: In this course, some neurological diseases are dealt with in depth, whereby students are to give short presentations in small groups on the respective clinical pictures and their effects on neuropsychological functions. In view of the cooperation with the University Hospital Tulln, the focus will also be on work in clinical practice and first experiences will be made 'in the field'.
Basics of General Medicine- The aging person in its environment (Bachelor's programme Medical Science)
Event: Compulsory seminar (Indicator: BM08.03.02)
Teachers: Dr.in Vera Gallistl, BA, MA & Katrin Lehner BA, MA
Period: since 2021, Bachelor's programme Medical Science, 3rd semester (winter semester)
Content: This course, which is offered as part of the medical studies programme, serves to provide students with a holistic view of the life of older persons, especially in the patient context. In addition to an introduction to the topic of age(s), the students are presented with a brief insight into the everyday life, resources and hurdles of older persons. In the small group work, the students are asked to put their knowledge into practice by means of gerontological questions on clinical case vignettes, which were prepared in cooperation with the geriatrics department.
Seminar: A cerebral connection: neuroanatomy meets neuropsychology – an interprofessional approach to brain functions (Bachelor's programme Medical Sciences & Bachelor's programme Psychology)
Course: Elective seminar (indicator according to new curriculum 19.3)
Teachers: Theresa Heidinger BSc MSc & Dr. Sophie Förster- Streffleur
Period: since 2022, 4th semester Bachelor Psychology, 6th semester Medical Science (summer semester).
Content: In the course of this interprofessional course, content from (clinical) neuropsychology and neuroanatomy is combined and presented to a group of students from the Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Health Sciences. Students are asked to pass on their knowledge to students from other disciplines (peer teaching) and to deepen it together. The event takes place primarily in the dissection room of the University Hospital Sankt Pölten, where students work in small, interprofessional teams on brain preparations. The structure of the course is based on the six domains of neurocognition (DSM-V), which are worked on in the course of work packages. In addition to deepening neuropsychological/neuroanatomical knowledge, the seminar also promotes the ability to work together with people from other professions, which is highly relevant for navigating the clinical workday as well as the scientific world.