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| Module Availability |
Semester 1 |
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| Assessment Pattern |
MCQ exam, 60 questions, 60 min - 75%
Essay on Research Methods in Biological Psychology (Max. 1200 words) - 25%
A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module. |
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| 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. |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
| N/A |
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| Module Aims |
| In recent years there is growing interest in the biological bases of psychological phenomena. For a better understanding of psychological processes in healthy humans as well as in patients suffering from psychological or neurological disorders 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 and there is a strong aim to link these functions with psychologically relevant topics. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
| Students having successfully finished this module will have a basic knowledge about structure and function of the nervous system. This shall be the basis for more in depth modules of biological bases of psychological processes at higher levels. |
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| Module Content |
Introduction to Biological Psychology: What is Biological Psychology? What do we need it for? (PS)
Ethics in Biopsychology (PS)
Brain Cells (PS)
Neural Resting Membrane Potential and Action Potential (PS)
Synaptic Transmission of information in the Nervous System (PS)
Development of the Nervious System (PS)
Wiring of the Brain (PS)
Neuroanatomy (AM)
Important Neurotransmitter Systems (AM)
Neural Bases of the Visual System (AM)
Neural Bases of Non-visual Sensory Systems (ES)
Neural Bases of Motor Control (ES)
Tutorials on Research Methods:
1. (week 2) Theoretical overview over different methodological approaches in biological psychology - lecture style; distribuation of simple empirical articles using event-related potentials, functional MRI or transcranial magnetic stimulation as primary method - these articles are required reading for discussion in tutorial 2;
2. (week 4) Discussion in small groups - each group member has read an article in which one of three biopsychological methods (ERP, fMRI, TMS) was used; each group member explains article to the rest of teh small group;
The method described in the essay needs to be a different one than the method presented in the small group discussion. |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Lecture style partly using multimedia presentations
Small group discussions |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., & Pardiso, M.A. (2007). Neuroscience - exploring the brain. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Kalat, J.W. (2009). Biological Psychology. Belmont: Wadsworth
3 empirical articles to be announced in the first tutorial
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| Last Updated |
| 5 May 2011 |
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