Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Prof Caroline Bowman

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of the principles of biological psychology. In particular, this module will focus on how the brain influences behaviour. Lectures will investigate how the nervous system works, the effects of hormones, and will consider the mechanisms that drive the normally functioning brain. Additionally, lectures will explore how knowledge of the normally functioning brain can be applied in order to understand the effect of drugs, brain injury, and neurological and clinical disorders.

Content within the module includes:

Introduction to the module

Nervous System Overview

Psychopharmacology (Drugs)

Development, Degeneration & Recovery

Learning & Memory

Sensory Systems

Emotional Behaviours

Motivated Behaviours I: Sleep

Motivated Behaviours II: Reproduction

Psychological Disorders

Revision Sessions

good

Essay-based questions: Student provided a comprehensive answer to the question(s). Material was well-organised and well-structured. There was clear evidence of a good understanding of the material, and that a deeper understanding of material presented in lectures had been achieved due to relevant further reading and self-study. There was some evidence of appropriate critical evaluation and discussion. Answers matching this criteria would generally encompass the B range of grades.

excellent

Essay-based questions: Student provided comprehensive and accurate coverage of question matter, with sound clarity of argument and expression. Answers evidenced a depth of insight into the question matter, and it was clear that this was achieved through relevant further and additional reading. Appropriate critical evaluation of evidence and discussion of material supported all answers. Answers matching this criteria would generally encompass the A range of grades.

threshold

Essay-based questions: Student provided an adequate answer to the question(s), but answers were largely based on lecture material and essential reading, with no real development of arguments, critical evaluation or evidence of study beyond the basics (basics = lecture material and essential reading). Structure and organisation of material was adequate. Answers matching this criteria would generally encompass the C range of grades. D grades may be awarded if elements of inaccuracy and/or misunderstanding were evident within the answer, or if answer missed one or two key points or failed to expand on key points. Fail grades would be awarded if answers were laden within inaccuracy/misunderstanding/omissions.

1. Identify how neural and hormonal function drives psychological processes.

2. Evaluate specific brain systems and describe their relationship with psychological processes.

3. Understand the general structure and organisation of the brain, including cortical localisation of function.

4. Evaluate how damage to specific cortical regions, or dysregulation in neurotransmitter levels, can lead to neurological and clinical disorders.

5. Understand the structure and function of the nervous system.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
EXAM	Mid Term Exam	This exam will take place during Week 7 of semester 2 (date to be confirmed), and it will assess your knowledge, understanding and evaluation of material covered in lectures 1-5. In the exam, you will answer two 'seen' essay questions and 25 multiple choice questions. I will release an essay title at the end of each lecture, and so you will have a chance to prepare your essay responses in advance of the exam. Please note that the duration and the location of the exam may be modified dependent on covid.	50.00
EXAM	Final Exam	This exam will take place in the May exam period of semester 2 (date to be confirmed), and it will assess your knowledge, understanding and evaluation of material covered in lectures 8-11. In the exam, you will answer two 'seen' essay questions and 24 multiple choice questions. I will release an essay title at the end of each lecture, and so you will have a chance to prepare your essay responses in advance of the exam. Please note that the duration and the location of the exam may be modified dependent on covid.	50.00

		Hours
	FEEDBACK SESSIONS: To support weekly lectures, students may voluntarily attend two-hour weekly drop-in sessions. Students may attend sessions if they require support with regard to any aspect of the course, but may especially want to focus on asking questions about preparing for the midterm and final exams (especially preparing essays), seeking feedback with regard to their understanding of key content, developing critical evaluation skills, and prospective and retrospective exam performance. Sessions will be student-led so that students have the opportunity to receive feedback specific to their own progress and achievement. Students should note that during feedback sessions the lecturer will neither cover new content nor summarise entire lectures that students may have missed.	24
Lecture	Weekly two-hour content lectures will run in weeks 1-5 and 8-11 of semester 2. In addition, a revision session will run in week 6, to prepare students for the midterm exam in week 7, and in week 12 to prepare students for the final exam which will sit during the final assessment period. All sessions will be recorded.	24
Private study	Students should expect to complete 52 hours of self-study in order to achieve the learning outcomes for this module. Self-study will take the form of essential (+ further and additional) reading, and preparation for exams. In addition to attending classes and voluntary feedback sessions (as required), students should be spending 4-6 hours each week during term-time engaging in reading and revision for this module.	52

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Be computer literate for the purpose of processing and disseminating psychological data and information.
• Retrieve and organise information effectively.
• Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
• Work effectively under pressure (time pressure, limited resources, etc) as independent and pragmatic learners.
• Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
• Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
• Understand and investigate the role of brain function in all human behaviour and experience.
• Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
• Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.
• Be aware of ethical principles and approval procedures.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ppp-2013.html

Compulsory in courses:

• X320: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Seicoleg year 2 (BA/APIS)
• LC31: BA Criminology & Crim Justice & Psychology (with Int Exp) year 2 (BA/CCJPIE)
• MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 2 (BA/CRP)
• X319: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology year 2 (BA/CYP)
• CQ83: BA English Language & Psychology year 2 (BA/ELPSY)
• R181: BA French with Psychology (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/FPIE)
• R2C8: BA German with Psychology year 2 (BA/GPSY)
• Q1C8: BA Linguistics and Psychology year 2 (BA/LP)
• CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 2 (BA/PS)
• CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 2 (BA/SPP)
• C80B: BSc Psychology (Bangor Uni Intl Coll) year 2 (BSC/BICPS)
• C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 2 (BSC/PHS)
• C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 2 (BSC/PHS1)
• 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 2 (BSC/PHSIE)
• C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 2 (BSC/PHSP)
• C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 2 (BSC/PIE)
• C800: BSC Psychology year 2 (BSC/PS)
• C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 2 (BSC/PS1)
• C80F: BSc Psychology year 2 (BSC/PSF)
• C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/PSP)
• C813: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology year 2 (BSC/PSYFP)
• C84B: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psych (4 yr with Incorp Foundn) year 3 (BSC/PSYFP1)
• C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/PSYFPP)
• C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 2 (BSC/PSYN)
• C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 2 (BSC/PSYN1)
• C809: BSc Psychology with Neuropsy (with International Experience) year 2 (BSC/PSYNIE)
• C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/PSYNP)
• C681: BSc Sport & Exercise Psychology w International Experience year 2 (BSC/SEPIE)
• C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 2 (BSC/SEXP)
• C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 2 (MSCI/PHS)
• C807: MSci Psychology year 2 (MSCI/PS)

Optional in courses:

• R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 2 (BA/FPSY)
• C883: BSc Clinical Sports Science year 3 (BSC/CLSPS)
• N5C8: BSc Marketing with Psychology year 2 (BSC/MP)
• M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 2 (LLB/LPSY)