Module: Cognitive Psychology & Biopsychology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cognitive Psychology & Biopsychology
Module Code	PSY1085 (ITS: PY230)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

Cognitive Psychology is concerned with: how we attend to and gain information about the world; how information is stored and processed by the brain and; how we solve problems, think, and formulate language. It is the scientific study of the thinking mind. Students will study: attention; perception and memory; language; intelligence and problem solving; and representations of knowledge. Biopsychology has, as its core question; what role does biology have in determining our behaviour? In studying Biopsychology students will learn about: Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychology; the biological bases of behaviour; Behavioural Genetics; Evolutionary Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology and; the chemical bases of behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine how knowledge of the structure and function of the brain and the nervous system contributes to our understanding of cognitive processes
2. Analyse the psychological theories and models that explain how we attend to, perceive, learn and process information with which we work everyday
3. Examine the theoretical approaches associated with mental imagery and knowledge representation
4. Assess the research on language processing and its fundamental importance to human cognition
5. Analyse the effect of knowledge on reasoning and problem-solving performance
6. Appraise how knowledge of the structure and function of the brain and the nervous system contributes to our understanding of human psychology
7. Analyse a number of the biological bases of behaviour
8. Illustrate the role of biochemistry, genetics, and evolution in explaining human behaviour
9. Assess the ways in which individuals are assessed, diagnosed, and treated within Clinical Neuropsychology

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Synchronous online classes
Online activity	60	Student-Staff and Student-Student interaction through online discussion forums and other media
Independent Study	297	Using self-directed learning resources, textbooks and other resources
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11750	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Catherine Moran	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	This assessment is an essay in the area of Cognitive Psychology	30%	n/a
Assignment	This assessment is a Review of two journal articles in the areas of Cognitive Psychology and Biopsychology, respectively, including a description of the database search approaches used in the assessment, and a short article summary of one of the selected articles	30%	n/a
Presentation	This assessment has two parts: 1) to produce a professional report on a Biopsychology topic (75%) and 2) Give an individual presentation on an aspect of the report (25%).	40%	n/a

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	l,
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

Part 1: Cognitive Psychology 1

- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

- Cognitive Neuropsychology

- Attention

- Perception

- Memory: Structure and Processes

- Memory: Theories

Part 2: Cognitive Psychology 2

- Mental Representations

- Mental Imagery

- Language 1: Structure and Abstractions

- Language 2: Words and Reading

- Logic and Decision Making

- Problem Solving and Creativity

Part 3: Biopsychology 1

- Introduction to Biopsychology

- Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology

- Cortical organisation & Function

- The Sensori-motor System

- Biological bases of Behaviour: Sleep

- Biological bases of behaviour: Appetites

- Biological bases of behaviour: Emotion

- Biological bases of behaviour: Consciousness

Part 4: Biopsychology 2

- Behavioural Genetics

- Evolutionary Psychology

- Neurodevelopment & Plasticity

- Brain damage and recovery

- Clinical Neuropsychology: Assessment & Diagnosis

- Clinical Neuropsychology: Rehabilitation & Treatment

- Chemical bases of behaviour

Indicative Reading List

Books:

0: There are no required textbooks for this module. Openly available resources and/or journal articles available in DCU databases will be recommended in the learning materials.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None