Undergraduate Course: Biological Psychology (PSYL10113)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Psychology |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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. |
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 |
| Additional Costs | 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. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Block 1 (Sem 1), Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
15/09/2014 |
| Breakdown of 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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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended 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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Assessment Information
One of the sessions will contain a Brain Quiz as a non-marked feedback event
Examination 100%. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| 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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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
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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