Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Anthony Miller
Contact via anthony.miller@mq.edu.au
C3A 410
By Appointment
Lecturer
Jennifer Cornish
Contact via jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au
C3A 412
By Appointment
Andrea Chan
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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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]
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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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 classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Topic On-Line Quiz | 0% | As needed |
Mid-Session Test | 30% | 9/9/16 |
Research Report | 30% | 7/10/16 |
Final Exam | 40% | Examination Period |
Due: As needed
Weighting: 0%
Quiz (5 questions) covering topics of the past week for early feedback on learning progress.
Due: 9/9/16
Weighting: 30%
A 45 minute test (30 multiple choice questions each with five response options) to be held during the scheduled review session (W6D) in week 6 (Friday 9th September) from 11am-12 pm or 12 - 1 pm. Students will be allocated to one of the one hour test timeslots. This paper will examine material covered in the week 1-5 lecture topics, in addition to material from both neuroanatomy practicals.
Due: 7/10/16
Weighting: 30%
A 1,000 word research report (plus 120 word abstract) based on a behavioural experiment will be due 5pm on Friday 7th October.
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 40%
A 60 minute exam (40 multiple choice questions each with five response options) to be held during the final examination period. This will examine material covered in the week 7-12 lecture topics, in addition to material from learning practicals.
Classes
Lectures: All lectures will only be provided as topics by video recordings on-line (via iLearn).
Revision Sessions: 1 hr/week - Friday 11am-12pm or 12 - 1 pm in W6D Lotus Theatre (the first session will also be recorded and available on iLearn).
Practicals: Practicals will be run on weeks 2, 4, 8, 10 (Stream A) and weeks 3, 5, 9, 11 (Stream B) in C5A 316/317 (i.e. each student does four practicals beginning week 2 or 3, depending on which stream they have been allocated).
Students in units which have streamed tutorials will be allocated a stream by the Psychology Office.
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, 2013 or 2015). Biological Psychology (9th, 10th, 11th or 12th 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 Friday 11am-12pm or 12 - 1pm) in the lecture theatre. There are also four 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 examine research and practical applications of the more theoretical material covered in lectures.
Week | Lecture Date | Topic | Lecturer | Text | Practical |
1 |
Biopsychology 5 August |
Behavioural Neuroscience: Genetics |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 4 |
NO PRACTICAL |
2 | 12 August |
The Nervous Systems Brain Cells
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Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 3 |
Practical One Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream A) |
3 | 19 August |
Neurophysiology Neurochemistry Communication by Receptors |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 2 |
Practical One Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream B) |
4 | 26 August |
Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitter System Dysfunction |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 2, 14 & App. A |
Practical Two Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream A) |
5 | 2 September |
Substance Abuse Addiction |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 14 |
Practical Two Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream B) |
6 |
Mid-Session Test 9 September |
Covers material from lecture topics week 1-5 and Neuroanatomy Pracs 1 & 2 |
Staff |
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NO PRACTICAL |
7 |
16 September |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 4 & 12 |
NO PRACTICAL |
Mid-Session Break |
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8 |
Learning 7 October |
Introduction to Learning Classical Conditioning I |
Miller |
Domjan Ch. 1-4 |
Practical Three Learning I (Sniffy) (Stream A) |
9 |
14 October |
Classical Conditioning II Principles and Applications of Classical Conditioning |
Miller | Domjan Ch. 4-5 |
Practical Three Learning I (Sniffy) (Stream B) |
10 | 21 October |
Research on Classical Conditioning Introduction to Operant Conditioning |
Miller |
Domjan Ch. 7 |
Practical Four Learning II (Sniffy) (Stream A) |
11 | 28 October |
Schedules of Reinforcement Applications of Reinforcement |
Miller |
Domjan Ch. 8 |
Practical Four Learning II (Sniffy) (Stream B) |
12 | 4 November |
Extinction Punishment |
Miller |
Domjan Ch. 10-13 |
NO PRACTICAL |
13 |
11 November |
Learning Video |
Miller |
NO PRACTICAL |
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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