On this course, you’ll develop your understanding of 'neurotypical' brain development. This will help you understand the biological basis of neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact they have. At the same time, we’ll look at areas like intellectual disability and research methods.
A real highlight of this course is learning how research can be applied to practice. To help you understand the latest advances in the field, we’ll discuss different brain imaging methods and basic genetics. And, for your research project, we’ll challenge you to look at a current issue in more detail.
Many students on this course join us after completing their BSc – this is normally in psychology or another science. But, if you’re already working in the field, studying this course part time is a great opportunity to learn from experts and arm yourself with expertise for your role.
If you’ve come straight from your degree, you might not have any practical experience yet. But, with a placement as part of the course, we can guarantee that you’ll spend time in a clinic that specifically deals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
King’s is a joint lead on Autism Innovative Medicine Studies-2-Trials (AIMS-2-Trials), the world’s largest autism grant. As a student at King’s, you’ll work alongside the experts – and you might even decide to use the data for your dissertation project.
By the end of the course, you’ll have an expert understanding of the theory, evidence, and practice behind neurodevelopmental disorders. We’ll also make sure you’re confident carrying out research that could move the field forward.
Format
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Typical Brain Development and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (16 hours) | Self-study time (254 hours)
Clinical Observation Placement
Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (30 hours) | Self-study time (255 hours)
Intellectual Disability and Forensic Aspects of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Lectures (30 hours) | Self-study time (270 hours)
Research Methods and Statistics
Lectures (71 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (61 hours) | Self-study time (168 hours)
Dissertation
Seminars / Tutorials (25 hours) | Self-study time (575 hours)
Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Course Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations.
Year 1
Examination (50%) | Coursework (30%) | Practical (20%)