BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH RESEARCH METHODS 1 - 2022/3

Module Overview

This module will give an introduction into biological psychology.  Architecture and basic functions of the nervous system will be covered.  This will be important to understand the biological bases of psychological processes and disorders.

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

VIOLANTE Ines (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Content includes:

• Introduction to Biological Psychology: What is Biological Psychology? What do we need it for?


• Ethics in Biopsychology


• Brain Cells


• Neural Resting Membrane Potential and Action Potential


• Synaptic Transmission of Information in the Nervous System


• Development of the Nervous System and Neurodevelopmental Disorders


• Wiring of the Brain


• Neuroanatomy


• Important Neurotransmitter Systems & Psychopharmacology


• Neural Bases of the Visual System


• Neural Bases of Non-visual Sensory Systems


• Neural Bases of Motor Control


• Neuroscientific methods used in biological psychology

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual Poster.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate each of the learning outcomes

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• One 60 minute unseen 30-item MCQ and short answer question examination (70%) in the formal semester exam period


• One group poster (30%) critically evaluating the usefulness of a particular neuroscientific method for a given research question

Formative assessment and feedback

• Verbal feedback in the lectures through interactive quizzes and discussions


• Online feedback via quizzes available in Surrey Learn


• Verbal feedback during tutorials and workshops by the lecturer and peers


• Written Feedback on research methods poster

Module aims

• In recent years there is growing interest in the biological bases of psychological phenomena. For a better understanding of psychological processes
  it is necessary to understand how the nervous system is built and how it works. Basic architecture and fundamental functions of the nervous system will be taught linking those with psychologically relevant topics.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• provide students with fundamental knowledge about biological psychology and the many ways in which biopsychological research contributes to our understanding of human behaviour, cognition, and motivations / emotions


• provide basic knowledge about structure and function of the nervous system.


• develop the critical understanding of advantages and disadvantages of major research methods used in biological psychology.


• engage students to criticise the conclusions of the knowledge base.


• equip students with skills to critically evaluate theories and evidence in biological psychology.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 10 x 2 hours lectures partly with multimedia presentations and/or interactive discussion


• 4 x 1 hour workshops on neuroscientific methods


• 11 x 1 hour tutorials with activities and group work to consolidate and develop learning 


• independent study

 

The workshops on Research Methods use Flipped classroom strategies. 

Before the first workshop students will be provided with material (videos, readings, etc.) on the fundamentals of the methodological approaches in biological psychology. This theoretical background information is essential for the first tutorial, as well as for the coursework.

Workshops 2 - 4 will be focused on different techniques (e.g. EEG, MRI) and preparation for the coursework. Each tutorial includes hands-on experience with neuroscientific equipment or demonstrations.
 

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: PSY1016

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 2022/3 academic year.