Module: Biological Bases of Behaviour in the Brain

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Biological Bases of Behaviour in the Brain
Module Code	PSY1057 (ITS: PSYC502)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

To provide a critical description and explanation of the biological basis of human behaviour and the theories of biological influences on behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically consider the major theories and perspectives of biological psychology.
2. Describe how the central, autonomic nervous and endocrine systems are involved in psychological processes and explain how these systems interact.
3. Critically assess the strengths and limitations of using biological systems to explain human behaviour.
4. Critically consider contribution of genetics to human behaviour.
5. Demonstrate an advanced ability to describe and explain the impact of evolutionary theories on biopsychology
6. Critically explain and evaluate ethical issues in using humans and animals in biopsychological research.
7. Identify and explain biopsychological approaches to diagnosis and treatment and critically appraise current biopsychological research methods for diagnosis and treatment.
8. Define and critically evaluate the biopsychological bases for a range of substance abuse, affective, anxiety, psychotic and other psychiatric disorders.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	No Description
Seminars	5	5 seminars to supplement lectures on key introductory biological psychology topics.
Independent Study	98	Independent Learning and Study; Engagement with and Completion of Online Activities; Preparation for Final Exam
Assignment Completion	2	Exam
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11493	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	Simon Dunne

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Completion of Online Activities	30%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	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 P. J. Pinel and S. Barnes: 2017, Biopsychology, 10th, Pearson Education, Boston, MA, US, 9781292158471
David Linden: 2019, The Biology of Psychological Disorders, 2nd, Red Globe Press; Macmillan International, London, UK, 402, 9781137610416
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 and G. Hough: 2017, Brain & Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology, 5th, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, US, 1544317506
Suzanne Higgs, A. Cooper, J. Lee, M. Harris: 2015, Biological Psychology, 4th, SAGE Publications, London, UK, 9780857022615
James W. Kalat: 2012, Biological Psychology, 11th, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA, US, 1111839522
Neil R. Carlson: 2010, Physiology of behavior,, 10th, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA, US, 0205666272
S. Marc Breedlove, Neil V. Watson, Mark R. Rosenzweig: 2010, Biological psychology: an introduction to Behavioural, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, 6th, Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, MA, US, 9780878933242
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, US, 0878934391
Dale Purves, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Leonard E. White (eds.): 2011, Neuroscience,, 5th, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA, US, 9780878936953
Andrew Wickens: 2009, Introduction to Biopsychology, 3rd, Pearson Education, Boston, MA, US, 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, US, 0761960791
L. Squire, D. Berg, F. Bloom, S. du Lac, A. Ghosh: 2008, Fundamental Neuroscience, 3rd, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, US, 978-012374019
B. W. Connors, M. A. Paradiso, M. F. Bear: 2006, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, US, 978-078176003
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, US, 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, US, 9780393705966
Frederick Toates: 2000, Biological Psychology: an integrative approach, Pearson Education, Boston, MA, US, 9780273745754
Eric R. Kandel, James H. Schwartz, Thomas M. Jessell: 2000, Principles of Neural Science, 4th, McGraw-Hill, New York, US, 978-007112000
Eric R. Kandel: 2007, In Search of Memory: the emergence of a new science of mind, WW Norton and Co., London, UK, 978-039332937
Larry R. Squire, Eric R. Kandel: 2008, Memory: from mind to molecules, 2nd, Roberts & Company Publishers, Greenwood Village, CO, US, 978-098151941
Bob L. Garrett & G. Hough: 2018, Study Guide to Accompany Garrett & Hough's Brain and & Behaviour: An Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience, 5th, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks CA, 9781506392479

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

This module should now be split into 30% CA and 70% Exam, with both components matching all learning outcomes.