Module: Biological Psychology 1

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Biological Psychology 1
Module Code	PSYC211 (ITS) / PSY1031 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Psychology
Module Co-ordinator	Michelle Caffrey
Module Teachers	Styliani Vlachou
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination
Completion of online activities and repeat formal examination.

Description

To introduce students to the biological basis of human behaviour and explain theories of biological influences on behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the major theories and perspectives of biological psychology
2. Assess the strengths and limitations of using biological systems to explain human behaviour
3. Explain the contribution of genetics to human behaviour
4. Explain the impact of evolutionary theories on biopsychology
5. Identify and explain ethical issues in using humans and animals in biopsychological research
6. Describe how the central, autonomic nervous and endocrine systems are involved in psychological processes
7. Define the biopsychosocial bases for a range of substance abuse, mood and psychiatric disorders

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Seminars	6	No Description
Independent Study	95	Review and Learning of Lecture and Seminar Materials; Engagement with and Completion of Online Activities.
Directed learning	2	Final Exam
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to brain and behaviour

Genetics, environment, physiological and evolutionary psychology

Anatomy, structure and organisation of the nervous System

Neural conduction and synaptic transmission

Research Methods and Ethics of biopsychology: an introduction

Biopsychology of Motivation (e.g., Sleep, dreaming and circadian rhythms; Drug addiction and reward)

Biopsychology of Psychological/Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia, Depression, Mania, Anxiety, etc.)

Biopsychology of Emotion, Stress and Health

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Completion of online activities	30%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

John Pinel,Steven Barnes: 2021, Biopsychology, Global Edition, 11th, Pearson, 9781292351933
Bryan Kolb,Ian Whishaw,G Campbell Teskey: 2019, An Introduction to Brain and Behavior, 6th, Worth Publishers, Macmillan International, New York, NY, USA, 9781319243562
Bob L. Garrett, G. Hough: 2017, Brain & Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience, 5th, Kindle, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1544317506
Bob L. Garrett, G. Hough: 2018, Study Guide to Accompany Garrett & Hough's Brain & Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience, 5th, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, 9781506392479
David Linden: 2018, The Biology of Psychological Disorders, 2nd, Red Globe Press; Macmillan International, 9781137610416
James W. Kalat: 2015, Biological Psychology, 12th, Wodsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA, 978130510540
S. Marc Breedlove, Neil V. Watson: 2013, Biological psychology: an introduction to Behavioural, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, 7th, Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, MA, 9781605351704
Neil R. Carlson: 2010, Physiology of behavior, 10th, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA, 0205666272
John G. Nicholls, A. R. Martin, P. A. Fuchs, D. A. Brown, M. E. Diamond, D. Weisblat: 2011, From Neuron to Brain, 5th, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA, 0878934391
Dale Purves, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Leonard E. White (eds.): 2011, Neuroscience, 5th, Sinaeur Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA, 9780878936953
Andrew Wickens: 2009, Introduction to Biopsychology, 3rd, Pearson Education, Boston, MA, 9780132052962
Paul Aleixo (illustrations by Murray Baillon): 2008, Biological psychology: an illustrated survival guide, 1st, John Wiley and Sons, Oxford, UK, 9780470870990
Lisa Wise: 2010, Introduction to Psychobiology, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, 0761960791
L. Squire, D. Berg, F. Bloom, S. du Lac, A. Ghosh: 2008, Fundamental Neuroscience, 3rd, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 978-0123740199
B. W. Connors, M. A. Paradiso, M. F. Bear: 2006, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, 978-0781760034
Edward O. Wilson: 2005, From so simple a beginning: Darwin's four great books (Voyage of the Beagle; The Origin of Species; The decent of Man; The experience of emotion in Man and Animals), W.W. Norton & Co., New York, NY, 0393061345
Richard Dawkins: 2006, The Selfish Gene, Open University Press, Berkshire, UK, 0192860925
F. Scott Kraly: 2009, The unwell brain: understanding the psychobiology of mental health, W.W. Norton & Co., New York, NY, 9780393705966
Frederick Toates: 2000, Biological Psychology: an integrative approach, Pearson Education, Boston, MA, 9780273745754

Other Resources

None