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:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students should be able to:
Appreciate the importance of the scientific method in advancing psychological knowledge; (LO1)
Understand that there exist neural correlates of behavioural and psychological processes; (LO2)
Describe the neural bases of selected psychological processes and disorders; (LO3)
Acquire an idea of the functional organization of the nervous system and of its role in processing sensory information and producing behavioural commands; (LO4)
Understand the research tools that are used for studying brain function relevant to psychology and interpret published research findings from selected research methods; (LO5)
Describe and discuss scientific research orally and in writing at a level appropriate for both academic and general audiences. (LO6)
Indicative Assessment
To be negotiated in consultation with students, but will likely include: research essay; clinical knowledge summary; quizzes; and exams.
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. (2013). Biological psychology (11th Ed.). ISBN-13: 9781111831004
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. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. 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 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1230 | |
| 2014 | $2946 | |
| 2013 | $2946 | |
| 2012 | $2946 | |
| 2011 | $2946 | |
| 2010 | $2358 | |
| 2009 | $2358 | |
| 2008 | $2358 | |
| 2007 | $2358 | |
| 2006 | $2358 | |
| 2005 | $2298 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3390 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3618 |
| 2008 | $3618 |
| 2007 | $3618 |
| 2006 | $3618 |
| 2005 | $3450 |
| 2004 | $3450 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3972 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |