Students

PSY 236 – Biopsychology and Learning

2014 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Anthony Miller
Contact via anthony.miller@mq.edu.au
C3A 410
Mondays 1030 am - 130 pm
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
[PSYC104(P) and PSYC105(P)] or [(STAT122(P) or STAT170(P) or STAT171(P) or PSY122(P)) and (PSY104(P) or PSYC104(P)) and (PSY105(P) or PSYC105(P))] or [admission to GDipPsych] or [((PSY104(P) and PSY122(P)) or PSYC104(P)) and admission to BA-PsychLLB]
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed to give students a basic knowledge of central neuronal mechanisms underlying fundamental behaviours and how these behaviours are modified through experience (learning). The first half of the program describes the cytoarchitecture of central and peripheral neurons; the physiological and ionic bases of axonal and synaptic transmission; the overall anatomical organisation of the mammalian brain; and sensory processing. These topics are followed by discussion on the central mechanisms underlying mammalian behaviours, such as motivation and psychopathology. The latter half of the program provides a basic understanding of diverse phenomena in learning and behaviour, including neuronal mechanisms of learning.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Topic on-line quiz 0% As needed
Practical report 30% 9th September, 2014
Mid-Session test 30% 9th October, 2014
Learning Workbook 10% Learning Practicals
End of Session Test 30% 13th November, 2014

Topic on-line quiz

Due: As needed
Weighting: 0%

Topic on-line quiz (5 questions) covering topics of the past week for early feedback on learning progress. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Practical report

Due: 9th September, 2014
Weighting: 30%

A 1,500 word practical report (from behavioural experiment, week 2 stream A or week 3 stream B, 30 %) will be due on Tuesday 9th September 2014.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Mid-Session test

Due: 9th October, 2014
Weighting: 30%

A 45 minute mid-session test (35 multiple choice questions each with five response options) will be held during the scheduled review session (in the lecture theatre) in week 8 (Thursday 9th October 2014) from 11am-12pm or 12pm-1pm. Students will be allocated to one of the one hour timeslots. This paper will examine material covered in the week 1-6 lecture topics, in addition to material from the neuroanatomy practicals (weeks 4-7).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Learning Workbook

Due: Learning Practicals
Weighting: 10%

Several questions to be answered during (learning) practicals four and five, and submitted to tutors at the end of each practical session for marking.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

End of Session Test

Due: 13th November, 2014
Weighting: 30%

A 45 minute end of session test (35 multiple choice questions each with five response options) will be held in the scheduled review session (in the lecture theatre) in week 13 (Thursday 13th November 2014) from 11am-12pm or 12pm-1pm. Students will be allocated to one of the one hour timeslots. This paper will examine the material covered in the week 7 and 9-12 lecture topics, in addition to material from the learning practicals (Weeks 9-12).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Delivery and Resources

Classes 

Lectures: All lectures will only be provided as topics by video recordings on-line (via iLearn).

Revision sessions: 1 hr/week: Thursday 11am-12pm or 12-1pm X5B T1 (both sessions will also be recorded and available on iLearn).

Practicals: Practicals will be run on weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 12 (Stream A) and weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 (Stream B) in F9A 164 for biopsychology and C4A 335 for learning (i.e. each student does 5 practicals, one approximately every second week beginning week 2 or 3, depending on which stream they have been allocated):

Monday: 10 am - 12 pm, 12 pm – 2 pm, 2 - 4 pm, 4 - 6 pm

Tuesday: 9 am - 11 am, 11 am - 1 pm, 2 - 4 pm, 4 - 6 pm, 6 - 8 pm

Wednesday: 10 am - 12 pm

Thursday: 9 am - 11 am, 11 am- 1 pm

 

Students in units which have streamed tutorials will be allocated a stream by the Psychology Office. A draft list will be available in week one of semester and the final list in week three.

Managing Classes: Changes to all units can be done on-line via eStudent. After week 2, no further changes will be entertained unless supporting documentation about the reason for changing is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to change into.

Practical Attendance: Students must attend classes otherwise grades may be affected. Students enrolled in the Composite attendance mode can access the iLecture recording of the lecture, but must attend the compulsory practical class. 

 

Required Texts

Kalat, J.W. (2007, 2009 or 2013). Biological Psychology (9th, 10th or 11th ed).

Domjan, M.P. (2005). The Essentials of Conditioning & Learning (3rd ed).

Alloway, T., Wilson, G. & Graham, J. (2012). Sniffy the virtual rat lite. Version 3.0..

Texts are on reserve in the library. Further recommended readings will be suggested during lecture time. 

 

Teaching and Learning Strategy

The unit will be taught weekly through on-line audio and video recordings of unit topics. These topics will be reviewed in 1 x 1 hr session (two streams available Thurs 11am -12pm and Thurs 12pm-1pm) in the lecture theatre. There are also 5 compulsory practical classes (2 hrs each) as listed above.

Lectures: The lectures are designed to introduce students to relevant theories of biopsychology and learning. The reading associated with each lecture topic complements and extends the lecture material. Students should be self-directed in reading and summarising this information, and integrating it with the lectures.

Review Sessions: The review sessions are designed to give all students face-to-face review of the lecture material, with opportunity for question and answer time.

Practicals: Practicals extend lecture material by examining research and practical applications of the more theoretical material covered in lectures.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture Date Topic Lecturer Text Practical
1

Biopsychology

7 August

Behavioural Neuroscience: Genetics.

Wearne

Kalat. 

Ch 1 

NO PRACTICAL
2 14 August 

The Nervous Systems.

Brain cells.

 

Wearne

Kalat. 

Ch 2 & 4

Practical One

Behavioural Experiment

(Stream A)

3 21 August 

Neurophysiology.

Neurochemistry.

Communication by Receptors.

Wearne

Kalat. 

Ch 2 & 3

Practical One

Behavioural Experiment

(Stream B)

4  28 August

Neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitter System Dysfunction.

Baracz

Kalat. 

Ch 3, 15  & App A

Practical Two

Neuroanatomy I

Kalat Ch. 4

(Stream A)

5 4 September 

Substance Abuse.

Addiction.

Baracz

Kalat. 

Ch 3

Practical Two

Neuroanatomy I

Kalat Ch. 4

(Stream B)

6  11 September

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

Baracz

Kalat. Ch 13

Practical Three

Neuroanatomy II

(Stream A)

7

Learning

18 September

Introduction to Learning.

Classical Conditioning I.

Miller

Domjan Ch 1-4

Practical Three

Neuroanatomy II

(Stream B)

   

Mid Semester Break 

 

 

 

8

Mid session test

9 October 

Covers material from lecture topics week 1-6 and

Neuroanatomy Pracs 2 & 3

Staff

 

NO PRACTICAL

9

16 October

Classical Conditioning II.

Principles and Applications of Classical Conditioning

Miller Domjan Ch 4-5

Practical Four

Learning I (Sniffy)

(Stream B)

10 23 October 

Theories of Associative Learning.

Introduction to Operant Conditioning.

Miller

Domjan Ch 6-7

Practical Four

Learning I (Sniffy)

(Stream A)

11  30 October

Schedules of Reinforcement.

Theories and Applications of Reinforcement

Miller

Domjan Ch 8-9

Practical Five

Learning II (Sniffy)

(Stream B)

12  6 November

Extinction.

Punishment.

Miller

Domjan Ch 10-13

Practical Five

Learning II (Sniffy)

(Stream A)

13

End session test

13 November 

Covers material from lecture topics week 7, 9-12 and learning practicals 4 and 5

Staff

  NO PRACTICAL

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Mid-Session test
  • End of Session Test

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Topic on-line quiz
  • Mid-Session test
  • Learning Workbook
  • End of Session Test

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Topic on-line quiz
  • Practical report
  • Mid-Session test
  • Learning Workbook
  • End of Session Test

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Practical report
  • Mid-Session test
  • Learning Workbook
  • End of Session Test

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Gain a general understanding of mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Practical report
  • Learning Workbook
  • End of Session Test

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Self-awareness skills: identifying and setting targets, time management.
  • Information skills: formulating arguments, judging the relevance and accuracy of information, comparing different points of view.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment task

  • Practical report

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Communication and information technology skills: using electronic databases to search for papers in relevant topics.
  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.
  • Problem solving: comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data, formulating new explanations.

Assessment tasks

  • Practical report
  • Learning Workbook

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Written and oral communication skills: participating in class discussions.