HPS310 - Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online Trimester 3: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | Nil |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Mark Rogers Trimester 3: Mark Rogers |
| Previously: | Brain, Biology and Behaviour |
| Prerequisite: | One of HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | HPS205, HPS775 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Trimester 1 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit explores contemporary neurobiological explanations of human behaviour. Individual, social, ethical and practical implications are examined in the context of topics including: neural structure and function, psychopharmacology, biological methods, sensory systems, emotions, motor activity, sleep, mental disorders, language, memory and learning.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge in neuroscience, psychology and research methodologies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Demonstrate knowledge of, and differentiate between behaviours and mental abilities at the biochemical, neuroanatomical, and inter-neural process level. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Demonstrate knowledge of differentiate between and explain the consequences of various brain diseases and disturbances (including traumatic, chemical, and degenerative) on mental, physical, linguistic, perceptual, and emotional functioning; diagnose psychological and behavioural conditions that are of neurophysiological origin. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Use discipline specific language to explain and critically analyse concepts within the field of Neuropsychology suitable for an academic audience within psychology. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO5 | Search digital and non-digital literature to identify and classify prominent structures of the nervous system and describe their functions, as well as use critical thinking and problem solving skills to explain neurological problems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Seminar manuals | Four manuals, each answering approximately 15 brief answer questions | 4 x 12.5% Total: 50% |
|
| Assessment 2: Assignment | Recorded mini-lecture (slides and narration) with quiz questions 10-20 minutes | 30% |
|
| Assessment 3: End-of-Unit Assessment | 1 hour | 20% |
|
In fortnightly seminars students will work on simulations and exercises designed to consolidate and expand upon material covered in the classes (in class for campus students or online (via Collaborate) for online students). Online students will require access to a computer-compatible microphone.
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HPS310 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.