BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH RESEARCH METHODS 2 - 2021/2

Module Overview

Students must pass each unit of assessment at 40%.

This module will be taught in two parts.
1) Lectures will provide an understanding about the relationship between behaviour, cognition, emotions, and biology/neuroscience in a number of given topics.
2) Smaller tutorials will be given in order to design and analyse a biopsychological experiment.

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

OPITZ Bertram (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Biological Bases of Psychology 1. Co-requisite: All other level 5 Psychology modules.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Lectures (11 x 2 hours)

After an introduction to the module, the lectures will be dedicated to looking at the biological bases of motivation, emotions, sexual behaviour, language and communication, learning and memory, attention, brain plasticity, sleep, and psychopharmacology.

Tutorials (5 x 2 hour, biweekly)

Practical sessions were students are required to carry out a small biopsychological research project in groups. Students have to design, run, analyse a biopsychological experiment over the course of 10 weeks. Students will write a report about their study in two parts: The 1st part consists of 2 pages on theoretical background and methods after tutorial 3 and the 2nd part of 2 pages on results and discussion after tutorial 5.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Depth and breadth of knowledge in the subject area


• Enhance their practical research skills


• Effective team working

• 
  Research report in two parts: The 1st part consists of 2 pages on theoretical background and methods after tutorial 3 and the 2nd part of 2 pages on results and discussion after tutorial 5
  


• 
  Exam with questions (90 minutes, 1 out of 4, 30 MCQ)
  

1. lecturer joining in group discussions, available for questions throughout all tutorials


2. students to write a 1-page project proposal outlining their research question which the lecturer will review and comment on (tutorial 2)


3. students are offered trouble shooting sessions in the run up to the deadline for their coursework (lab report, marked)

Module aims

• To provide an understanding of the relationship between behaviour, cognition, emotions, and biology/neuroscience in a number of specific topics
• To increase the knowledge about important principles and methodology of neuroscience
• To practically apply the biosychological knowledge in a self-designed research project

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

The lecture element of the module gives students the basic knowledge on biological processes and mechanisms relevant to the understand of human behaviour. The tutorial (experimental element gives students hands on experience in the research process and to enhance their ability to critically assess research and get a better understanding of the application of theory and statistics and the translation of research finding into conclusions. Critically the tutorial element is a preparation for the final year project

The learning and teaching methods include:

• standard lecture format with interactive elements


• small group interaction


• teamwork


• presentation

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSY2013

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.