PSYC212-14S2 (C) Semester Two 2014

Foundations of Behavioural Neuroscience

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 14 July 2014
End Date: Sunday, 16 November 2014
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 25 July 2014
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 10 October 2014

Description

A first course in Behavioural Neuroscience, the discipline dedicated to the scientific investigation of the neurobiological processes underlying behaviour and mental processes, such as emotion, motivation, attention and consciousness.

The study of neuroscience has become increasingly multidisciplinary. Professional research and clinical teams are often composed of experts in biology, psychology, computing science, chemistry, and other disciplines. Such diversity substantiates the necessity to expose students to the many ways of thinking about the brain and neuroscience generally. As the discipline continues to grow, there is a need to prepare students to assume leadership roles within the profession and familiarise them with the latest theoretical approaches and applications (e.g., to neurodegenerative diseases and psychopathologies).

PSYC212 is designed to be an introductory course focusing on the relationship between the nervous system and behaviour. Its goal is to provide a solid foundation in neuroscience and to equip students to better understand the relationship between the physiological processes that occur in the brain and the behaviour of an organism.

(Image: "Retina I, Enamel on aluminium, Greg Dunn, 2010”)

THIS COURSE IS LIMITED TO 120 STUDENTS

Learning Outcomes

When the course is successfully completed, the student will be able to:
1. Recognize the basic structures and processes of the central nervous system.
2. Have a working knowledge of the techniques and methods used in modern research into the   biological basis of behaviour.
3. Have a foundational understanding of the neural basis of complex functions, including emotion, motivation, learning, memory, consciousness and language.
4. Understand the relationship between brain pathology and several categories of abnormal behaviour in humans.
5. Analyse and critically appraise research in the field and effectively communicate theories and concepts of the neurosciences.

Prerequisites

PSYC105 and PSYC106 RP: BIOL111, and/or BIOL113, and/or BIOL116

Recommended Preparation

BIOL111, and/or BIOL113, and/or BIOL116

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Juan Canales Conejero

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Test No. 1 25%
Test No. 2 25%
Laboratory reports 25%
Research Proposal 25%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Carlson, N.R; Physiology of Behavior ; 11th Ed; Pearson, 2012 (Pearson New International Edition, UK version; has MyPsychologyLab web access card. Talk to someone in the University Bookshop if you have queries).

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $748.00

International fee $3,388.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 20 people apply to enrol.

For further information see School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing .

All PSYC212 Occurrences

  • PSYC212-14S2 (C) Semester Two 2014
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