PSY2061 · Biological psychology

Overview

This unit will develop your knowledge of the biological foundations of human behaviour and psychological experiences. Building on first-year psychology, you will consolidate your understanding of nervous system structure and function, and how organisation and variations in these systems influence behaviour and psychological experiences. You will develop the skills to engage with key frameworks and research methods to critically analyse multiple lines of evidence to explain psychological function and experience, and contribute to respectful, evidence-based discussions around brain and mental health.

Areas of study: Psychology Psychological science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Recognise the major structures of the nervous system and describe the roles these structures play in behaviour and psychological experiences.
2. Explain neural signalling processes of neurotransmitters and hormones.
3. Explain the hierarchical organisation of neural systems and relate these to systems of sensation, perception, action, cognition, emotion, and states of consciousness.
4. Differentiate and analyse how variations in nervous system function, neurochemistry, and structure interact within hierarchical systems that underpin behaviour and psychological experiences. .
5. Critically evaluate research frameworks and methods in biological psychology, using evidence-based reasoning and feedback, and apply this to real-world contexts.
6. Develop proficiencies in respectful and destigmatising dialogue around brain and mental health conditions for a variety of audiences, through written and oral communication of current biopsychology topics.

Workload

Students are expected to spend a total of 144 hours on this unit, which is equivalent to an average of 12 hours of study per week over the teaching weeks. Teacher-directed learning (total = 44 hours) Across the 12 teaching weeks, students will engage in the following contact hours per week: Students will have either a lecture, a workshop, or a seminar: • Lectures: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks (20 hours in total) • Workshop: 1 × 2-hour workshop per week? • Seminar: 1 × 2-hour seminar per week? In addition, students will attend: • Tutorials: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks (20 hours in total) Regular attendance at tutorials, workshops, and seminars is strongly recommended, as active participation in these sessions is essential for developing the skills and understanding needed to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks. Self-directed learning (total = 100 hours) Students are expected to undertake approximately 8 hours per week of self-directed study, including engagement with content related to and preparation for lectures, workshops, or seminars, together with preparation and development of assessment tasks.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.