This course provides an introduction to behavioural and systems neuroscience and the brain mechanisms underlying behaviour.
Topics will include: general organisation, evolution and development of the nervous system; structure and function of the cerebral cortex; sensory systems; motor control; hormonal control; and higher order functions such as memory. The written assessment will focus on the relationship between the psychological and biological processes of specific clinical conditions such as prosopagnosia, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Following successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
(LO1) Demonstrate understanding of the neural correlates of behavioural and psychological processes;
(LO2) Describe the neural bases of selected psychological processes and disorders;
(LO3) Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functional organisation of the nervous system and of its role in processing sensory information and producting behavioural commands;
(LO4) Demonstrate understanding of the research tools used for studying brain fuction relevant to psychology and interpret published research findings from selected research methods; and
(LO5) Describe and discuss scientific research orally and in writing at a level appropriate for both academic and general audiences.
Indicative Assessment
- Research essay (30%) – LO 1,2,4,5
- Clinical knowledge summary (10%) – LO 2,5
- Class participation (5%) – LO 1,3,4,5
- In-class quizzes (15%) – LO 1,2,3,4
- Mid-semester examinations (20%) - LO 1,2,3,4
- Final exaministion (20%) – LO 1,2,3,4
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The face-to-face teaching time for this course consists of two hours of lectures per week and 18 hours of laboratory classes spread across the semester.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Kalat, J. W. (2015). Biological psychology (12th Ed.)
Assumed Knowledge
To enrol in this course you must have completed either:
Majors
Minors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3276 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4368 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9283 | 18 Jul 2016 | 29 Jul 2016 | 31 Aug 2016 | 28 Oct 2016 | In Person | N/A |
