Undergraduate Course: Biological Psychology (PSYL10113)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course introduces a range of topics which illustrate possible biological approaches to the study of mental processes and the 'evolution of mind' and gives an understanding of the range of biological approaches that can be applied to the study of mental processes and brain function. The topics covered range in specificity and level of analysis, and include communication and intelligence in nonhuman primates, broader aspects of the evolution of animal cognition, and the neurobiology of emotion. The course also aims to teach and assess knowledge of the anatomy of the human brain in a context which allows it to be related to analyses of brain function. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Psychology 2 (PSYL08002)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Psychology courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Block 1 (Sem 1) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
86 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One of the sessions will contain a Brain Quiz as a non-marked feedback event
Examination 100%. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Biological Psychology | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Biological Psychology | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
To understand the role of the evidence from animal behaviour in current debates about human nature and its genetic and environmental determinants.
To recognise the main stages in the evolution of the nervous system in animals.
To give at least two examples to explain the way in which 'comparative' studies (of the abilities of animals) can contribute to questions about the origins of human abilities.
To explain the similarities and differences between communication and social structure in different species.
To be able to describe with illustrations the functional and anatomical organisation of the human brain.
To explain the contribution of model/simple systems to understanding the nature of synaptic plasticity
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Reading List
Shettleworth, S.J. (1998). Cognition, Evolution and Behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Byrne, R. (1995). The Thinking Ape. Evolutionary Origins of Intelligence. Oxford: Oxford Press.
Macphail, E.M. (1998). The Evolution of Consciousness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McFarland, D. (1998). Animal Behaviour. Pearson Prentice Hall (3rd Edition).
Carlson, N.R. (2012). Physiology of Behavior. Allyn and Bacon (11th Edition).
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Thomas Bak
Tel: (0131 6)50 9861
Email: thomas.bak@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Simon Cann
Tel: 0131 650 9870
Email: Simon.Cann@ed.ac.uk |
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