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PS5011: BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07


Course Overview

This course aims to provide students with a good understanding of the biological basis of behaviour and cognition. The course is split into two sections: Section 1 focuses on psychopharmacology, which is the study of the effects of drugs on normal and abnormal brain function; Section 2 examines neuropsychology, which focuses on the relationships between specific brain structures and psychological processes

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr David Sutherland

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)
  • MSc Psychological Studies (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The lectures on psychopharmacology will provide accounts of the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of common psychotropic medicines (including drugs used to treat schizophrenia, depression and anxiety) and recreational drugs (including alcohol, cocaine and ecstasy).
The lectures on Cognition and the Brain will consider the structuralist and funtionalist approaches within Biological Psychology. They will consider the way that each approach influences the kinds of research questions that are asked, and the answers that research provides to these questions. Throughout, they will consider the specific example of Memory, viewed from each perspective and, finally, consider ways of merging and reconciling both approaches.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 two hour written examination (60%); One 2000 word essay (40%)

Resit: Students will resubmit any failed work or re-sit any failed examination. Each element's contribution will remain the same.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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