Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module will provide an overview on the current status of research in the field of drug addiction. With a diverse set of psychological theories proposed to explain addictive behaviours, the aim of the module is to focus on the current research in the drug addictions, understand some of the basic concepts within drug taking, appreciate the importance of the research methods used to model addiction in laboratory animals and also the translation to human psychopharmacological studies that use neuroimaging, physiology, and pharmacogenetics.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics include:

      Aspects of harm and classification of drug addictions (DSM-V)
Theories of addiction including:
-Learning theories in addiction – role of operant and classical conditioning
-Opponent-process theories in addiction - role of pharmacokinetics and peripheral nervous system
Mechanisms of action for drugs of abuse including:
-Psychostimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, nicotine)
-Depressants (e.g., opioids, alcohol, cannabinoids)
-Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, MDMA)
Research methods in addiction
-Animal vs human models of addiction
-Contemporary neuroscience methods
-Experimental design for drug trials
      Comorbidity - overlap of neural circuits with psychiatric disorders
      Individual differneces in addiction - vulnerabilities and genetic predispositions
      Treatment – Pharmacological and behavioural interventions

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:

1. Define drug addiction according to DSM V and identify relevant treatments for addiction

2. Identify the anatomy of the brain and reward systems associated with drug addiction

3. Explain the mechanisms of action for different categories of drugs (stimulants, depressants,
hallucinogens)

4. Compare and contrast various animal versus human models of drug addiction

5. Explain why certain individuals/populations are more vulnerable to developing drug addictions

6. Contrast the roles of biological and psychological factors that govern drug addictions

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:

1. Articulate theories of addiction as studied in a variety of scientific domains, including basic human and
animal pre-clinical research, neural assays, treatment outcome trials and epidemiological surveys.

2. Review and critically evaluate published work at an advanced level and identify the strengths and
weaknesses of this work, and at an advanced level structure this literature to present logical, coherent
and sustained arguments to support conclusions.

3. Address systematically complex problems at an advanced level which may be framed within unpredictable
contexts, think critically, creatively and independently, and demonstrate the ability to fully appreciate
the complexities of the issues.

4. Apply the essential principles in designing novel research, and critically evaluate and analyse empirical
evidence, and assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques at an
advanced level.

5. Demonstrate detailed, systematic and comprehensive knowledge within the discipline, with in-depth
specialisation at the forefront of the discipline in certain areas, and demonstrate advanced critical
understanding of this knowledge and of the limits and provisional nature of this knowledge.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used as the main way to impart basic knowledge and to stimulate interest in definitions of drug addiction and relevant treatments for addiction, anatomy of the brain and reward systems, and mechanisms of drug action which will draw from animal and human models. The student led workshop sessions will allow further discussion of concepts taught via the lecture material and give the opportunity for students to engage in course material through taking part in small scale psychological experiments, critiquing psychological theories of addiction, and discussing/critiquing contemporary research, in addition to providing a springboard to discuss research methods in addiction grounded in realistic and applied examples which will inform development of both formative and summative assessments. Use of face-to-face group discussions and classroom polling throughout the course will further facilitates student interactions and provides ample opportunities to learn about the lecture material which might be used in the final summative assignment (research proposal). The private, independent study time will allow students to carry out in depth review of the information imparted through lecture materials, to consolidate their learning and generate their own views, that can be shared with others during workshops and followed up by independent reading.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative and summative assessment will require students to develop a research proposal using both animal and human methodologies relevant to addiction based on the lecture materials and student-led discussions during workshops. The formative assessment will ask students to create a poster outlining their research proposal, in addition to presenting this poster to other students enrolled in the module during the student-led workshops. Students will receive written feedback on this poster prior to writing their proposal for the summative assessment based on their formative poster submission.

These assessments will assess students’ ability to acquire and disseminate detailed, systematic, and comprehensive knowledge within the discipline, in addition to demonstrating their advanced critical understanding and evaluation of addiction research and how it is conducted. Furthermore, the summative assessment will require students to review and critically evaluate contemporary published work at an advanced level to identify gaps within the literature, in addition to demonstrating their ability to integrate and summarize scientific information at a professional level. The summative will also assess the students' skills in written communication, whereas the formative assessment will provide students with the opportunity to develop their presentation skills (e.g., demonstrate ability to concisely summarize scientific information). The summative assessment in the form of a research proposal is an appropriate way to assess both theoretical understanding of the lecture material and problem-solving skills required at a postgraduate level. Successful research proposals will need to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding in the field of drug addiction, including diverse mechanisms of drug action, contemporary research methods and ethical issues with animal subjects and human participants, in addition to biological theories underlying the development of addiction.

General Notes

N/A