Basic principles of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry will be discussed to develop an understanding of how these biological factors underlie human brain function. Topics will include biological basis of emotion, motivation, stress, sleep, autistic, ADHD and substance abuse disorders. Students will become familiar with multidisciplinary methods of investigation through use of behavioural, computational, neuropsychological and neuroimaging tools.

Introduce students to the structure and function of the brain as it affects behaviour. It will focus on how human and animal research, the effects of brain injury and the latest neuroimaging techniques can be used to explain the brain processes that underpin behaviour and cognition.

Students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

Develop a sound understanding of biological psychology; Gain a working knowledge of basic brain terminology and functioning; Understand how the brain is able to process complex information and respond accordingly; Have an appreciation of the methods used to study the brain.

Intellectual Skills:

Evaluate theories developed to explain how the brain works; Consider research and scholarship in selected core topics in biological psychology

Practical Skills:

Use of range of sources (library, Internet, electronic databases) to gather information; Learn to communicate information to concise fashion, develop arguments and adopt appropriate analysis tools and use them effectively; Review and assimilate empirical evidence from a range of scientific disciplines (e.g. biology, psychology and neuroscience). Articulate scientific knowledge in a clear and concise form.

Transferable skills and personal qualities:

Independently gather and select the most relevant information from a body of work through online and library sources; Present concise and persuasive arguments; Develop skills in critical thinking.

Students should be able to:

Develop a sound understanding of biological psychology; Gain a working knowledge of basic brain terminology and functioning; Understand how the brain is able to process complex information and respond accordingly; Have an appreciation of the methods used to study the brain.

Students should be able to:

Evaluate theories developed to explain how the brain works; Consider research and scholarship in selected core topics in biological psychology.

Students should be able to:

Use a range of sources (library, Internet, electronic databases) to gather information; Learn to communicate information in a concise fashion, develop arguments and adopt appropriate analysis tools and use them effectively; Review and assimilate empirical evidence from a range of scientific disciplines (e.g. biology, psychology and neuroscience). Articulate scientific knowledge in a clear and concise form.

Course unit content will be delivered in twelve 90 minute lectures.  Students requiring further support will be able to attend a drop-in session. Lecture content, supplementary reading and resources and a monitored discussion board will be available via the unit Blackboard site. During the course, practice Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions will be provided, enabling students to test their knowledge of course content, helping to reinforce the learning of the material, and giving practice for the end of year exam.

Students will receive a grade and can request a summary of their performance after the exam board. Additionally, students will have opportunities for formative feedback ahead of the exam (practice MCQs and SAQs with model answers) through 3 Blackboard quizzes

Carlson, N.R. (2015). Foundations of behavioural neuroscience (9th ed.). East Sussex: Taylor & Francis.

N.B. Students will be given a code to access an electronic version of this textbook.