Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Illustrate their understanding of the important aspects of the taught module by assessing peers in an appropriate manner;
Critically evaluate biological and cognitive explanations of behaviour, appreciating the relative merits of complementary and conflicting viewpoints, and their relevance across cultures;
Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies underpinning Biological and Cognitive Psychology;
Successfully apply basic quantitative research methodology to the collection, analysis and dissemination of experimental data based on biological and/or cognitive theories.

Content:

This module encapsulates two core areas of Psychology that are often approached in experimental fashion. It will emphasise student-led activity and problem-based learning, while holding true to experimental roots. Students will also learn basic statistical techniques and apply them to collected data (group sessions). The following is indicative of module content.

(1) Biological Psychology: Students will gain grounding in the structure and function of the brain. In addition, the module will focus on how the brain encourages survival - focusing on key areas such as pain, fear, eating & drinking, and sleeping. Although the same mechanisms exist throughout the world, students will consider physiology in a global context: for example, the frequency of narcolepsy in Japan; cultural differences in eating habits, etc. (2) Cognitive Psychology: Students will also gain a theoretical underpinning of the main theories within Cognitive Psychology � namely the concepts of attention, memory, and problem-solving.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module delivery will utilise a combination of lecture-based teaching, small-group seminar sessions, video clips and supportive use of the VLE (e.g. podcasts, mock questions and recommended reading) to students as they develop as independent learners. It is assumed that students will not have studied any psychology previously, and that the time allocated for guided self-managed learning activities will allow students to use a variety of university resources, including book chapters, online resources and journal articles.

The module will be delivered on the basis of four-hour sessions. These will incorporate planned group activities and discussions, small-group work, and class tests � traditional �chalk and talk� time will be limited to a maximum of 60 minutes per four-hour session. As such, while one 4-hour slot will be required each week, delivery within these sessions will vary considerably. In addition, some time will be devoted to the practical considerations of collecting data and the support required.

Furthermore, conforming with the Learning and Teaching Strategy, weekly directed activities (assessed � see below) will be utilised between lectures. The time allocated for guided self-managed learning activities will allow students to use University resources in support of these objectives.

Lectures, workshops, group discussions, and problem-solving activities
Contact hours: 40
Intended Group size: Cohort

Practical classes/workshops
Contact hours: 4
Intended Group size: Cohort (in groups)

Guided independent study
Hours: 156

Further details relating to assessment
Report: The report will include an element of peer assessment.

Directed activities: These consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. This assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be successfully completed. A pass mark will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.