Course Catalogue

Sleep and Circadian Timing (PGT Conv ODL) PSYCH5116

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course introduces students to detailed aspects of current research topics related to sleep and circadian timing. Students will be supported in lectures through a multidisciplinary collaborative model to identify, measure, suggest effective treatments and discuss applications through knowledge and evaluation of healthy sleep and circadian timing as well as associated disorders. Students can expect to build strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Students will develop collaboration, communication, and interdisciplinary thinking, working across scientific perspectives to understand, measure, and discuss sleep and circadian health in real-world contexts.

Timetable

none

Requirements of Entry

At least 2:1 honours degree or equivalent

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Written assessment such as a case study 100%

Course Aims

To introduce students to detailed aspects of current scientific understanding related to sleep and circadian timing, and provide grounding for further study and integration into future practice. Knowledge and skill development will be developed through weekly activities based on a variety of authentic case studies developed by staff through practitioner experience. In the final assessment, students will be presented with a novel case study where they can demonstrate their knowledge of healthy sleep and circadian rhythms, and demonstrate clear rationale for diagnosis of disorders, suitable measurement, treatment and applications over a variety of contexts, for example adolescent health or sport.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

a) Demonstrate understanding of the physiological and psychological mechanisms responsible for healthy and dysfunctional sleep and circadian timing.

b) Demonstrate understanding of the health and psychological sequelae of disorders of sleep and circadian timing.

c) Evaluate appropriate diagnosis, measurement, treatment and application of healthy sleep and circadian and their disorders.

d) Translate their disciplinary knowledge to real-world case studies through the summative and formative assessments.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions