| Module title: |
Biological Foundations of Behaviour
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| SCQF level: |
08: |
| SCQF credit value: |
20.00 |
| ECTS credit value: |
10
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| Module code: |
PSY08103 |
| Module leader: |
DR ALEX WILLIS |
| School |
Life Sport & Social Sciences |
| Subject area group: |
Psychology |
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Prerequisites
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Level 7 psychology module (e.g. Introduction to Psychology)
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 2013/4, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face, Napier University
| Occurrence: | 001 | | Primary mode of delivery: | Face-to-Face | | Location of delivery: | NAPIER | | Member of staff responsible for delivering module: | DR ALEX WILLIS | | Module Organiser: | | | Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach: |
The module is delivered in a taught mode weekly, using a mix of lectures, laboratory-based practical classes, tutorials and directed study, complemented by Moodle.LOs 1 - 5. Each week there will be one 2-hour interactive lecture, using audio-visual resources and active participation. Supporting these lectures will be (a) three 2-hour practical classes, during which students will carry out a simple experiment and discuss the findings in small groups, and (b) five 1-hour discussion-based tutorials, centred on key topics covered in the lectures (e.g. the nature-nurture debate). Small-group tutorials will use group discussion to enhance student engagement and confidence. Practicals will allow students to participate in relevant research, enhancing their appreciation of the link between research and theory, and their ability to evaluate research and research approaches. Resources on Moodle facilitate and direct independent learning, building on both lecture material and small-group discussion.Embedding of employability/ PDP/ scholarship skillsInteractive lectures will provide students with the appropriate framework for their study, and provide opportunities for scholarly debate and evaluation. Small-group tutorials and practicals will help students develop communication and negotiation skills as well as enhance engagement and confidence.Assessment (formative and summative)The formal exam (2 hours) will assess LOs 1 - 4.The practical log will assess LO 5.Research/ teaching linkagesResearch evidence will be presented and evaluated in every lecture. Students will have the opportunity conduct research during timetabled practical classes, and to discuss the findings and the methodological approach throughout the module.
| | Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH)) | | Mode of activity | Learning & Teaching Activity | NESH (Study Hours) | | FACE TO FACE | Lecture | 24 | | FACE TO FACE | Tutorial / Seminar / Class Groupwork | 3 | | FACE TO FACE | Practical / Labs | 9 | | Independent Learning | Individual Learning Activities | 164 | | Total Study Hours | 200 | | Expected Total Study Hours for Module | 200 |
| Assessment | | Type of Assessment | Weighting % | LOs covered | Week due | Length in Hours/Words | | Report | 50 | 3 | 11 | HOURS= WORDS= 2000 | | Class Test | 50 | 1-2 | 13 | HOURS= 2 WORDS= | | Component 1 subtotal: | 50 | | | Component 2 subtotal: | 50 | | | | | Module subtotal: | 100 | | | |
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What you will learn and what this module is about:
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This module will focus on the biological perspective in psychology, which is becoming increasingly important in psychological research. You will explore the biological bases of human behaviour, in particular, how our genes, neurons, brains and nervous systems underpin psychological processes such as perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, sleep, and consciousness. You will also consider what happens when "normal" processes break down (for example, in stress and mental illness). You will address these topics using a variety of different levels of analysis (from genes to single cells and larger brain regions) and research methods (e.g. electrophysiology and functional brain imaging). It is the first dedicated module in biological psychology, and a pre-requisite for the more advanced module "Cognitive Neuroscience" at level 10.
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Description of module content:
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The study of brain function in relation to various psychological and behavioural processes (e.g. perception, memory, motivation, emotion, sleep and consciousness); historical and conceptual issues; the "nature-nurture" debate; levels of analysis from single cells to systems; basic research methodologies (e.g. electrophysiology, functional brain imaging) and their clinical applications (e.g. health and abnormal psychology); the study of brain damage and its functional consequences.
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Learning Outcomes for module:
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LO1: Compare and contrast a range of research approaches and methodologies used in biological psychology research.LO2: Identify key structures within the central nervous system and relate their functions to psychological processes such as emotion, motivation, sleep, perception, and memory.LO3: Conduct a simple psycho-physiological experiment and write up the findings in the style of an academic research report
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Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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T1: Carlson, N. R. (2007) Physiology of Behavior (9th Edition) Pearson InternationalT2: Breedlove, S. M., Rosenzweig, M. R., & Watson, N. V. (2010) Biological Psychology :an introduction to behavioral, cognitive, and clinical neuroscience. 6th Ed. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.T3: Kalat, J. J. W. (2012) Biological Psychology. 11th Edition; California: Thomson / WadsworthT4: Wickens, A. (2005) Foundations of Biopsychology. Pearson International. [available as an Ebook]
Click here to view this module's reading list. |
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