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PS3014: BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

This course aims to provide students with a good understanding of the biological basis of behaviour and cognition. The course is split into two sections, each featuring 5 lectures. Section 1 focuses on psychopharmacology, which is the investigation of the effect of medication on normal and abnormal brain function. Section 2 focuses on neuropsychology, examining what can be learnt about psychological processes from studying patients with brain damage.

Specific topics that will be covered include: neurotransmitters; drug effects; psychedelic drugs; impaired object and face recognition; amnesia; and disorders of motor control.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Chair in Psychology Ben Tatler

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Psychopharmacology lectures will examine how the study of psychoactive drugs can inform our understanding of both normal and abnormal brain function. Neuropsychology lectures will focus on the insights that have been gained from patient studies, but also the problems and pitfalls with using patient data to understand normal brain function. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Exam - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

30 Multiple Choice Questions over 30 minutes.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyHelp to give students a better appreciation of the multiple causes of abnormal behaviour and cognitive processes and developments in the application of biological psychology to real-life circumstances
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will learn to critically evaluate topics related to biological psychology and to communicate this in coursework and exam essays.
FactualUnderstandTo further knowledge of the relationship between biological processes affecting the brain and normal and abnormal behaviour and cognition.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will acquire skills to understand and evaluate different approaches to research in biological psychology.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 70
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Detailed written feedback using Turnitin to annotate submitted essays and explain the mark. Opportunity for students to discuss feedback with course tutors.

Word Count 1200
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyHelp to give students a better appreciation of the multiple causes of abnormal behaviour and cognitive processes and developments in the application of biological psychology to real-life circumstances
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will learn to critically evaluate topics related to biological psychology and to communicate this in coursework and exam essays.
FactualUnderstandTo further knowledge of the relationship between biological processes affecting the brain and normal and abnormal behaviour and cognition.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will acquire skills to understand and evaluate different approaches to research in biological psychology.

Formative Assessment

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Resit Assessments

Exam - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 70
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseStudents will acquire skills to understand and evaluate different approaches to research in biological psychology.
ConceptualApplyHelp to give students a better appreciation of the multiple causes of abnormal behaviour and cognitive processes and developments in the application of biological psychology to real-life circumstances
FactualUnderstandTo further knowledge of the relationship between biological processes affecting the brain and normal and abnormal behaviour and cognition.
ConceptualEvaluateStudents will learn to critically evaluate topics related to biological psychology and to communicate this in coursework and exam essays.

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