Module: Biological Psychology 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Biological Psychology 1
Module Code	PSY1031 (ITS: PSYC211)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	11474	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Styliani Vlachou	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Completion of online activities	30%	As required
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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, 688, 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, 402, 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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None