Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Richard Ramsey
Kim Curby
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
((PSYC104 or PSYU1104 or PSYX104 or PSYX1104) and (PSYC105 or PSYU1105 or PSYX105 or PSYX1105)) or (PSYU1101 or PSYX1101) and (PSYU1102 or PSYX1102) and (STAT1103 or STAX1103)) or ((COGS100 or COGS1000) or (MEDI204 or MEDI2300) or (BIOL204 or BIOL2230) and (STAT170 or STAT1170))
|
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). 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 other half of the program provides a basic understanding of diverse phenomena in learning and behaviour, including classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
|
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:
Late submissions, without an approved extension, will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. No further submissions will be accepted after the marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.
All extensions need to be formally requested via ask.mq.edu.au in line with the special consideration policy.
Any requests for remark need to follow the Psychology process and must be applied within 2 weeks of the assessment task being returned. Information will be provided on iLearn.
It is Psychology policy that letter grades, not numeric marks, are released for written assessment tasks.
Word count penalty: 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for the assessment task. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.
Supplementary assessment tasks will only be provided following an approved Special Consideration application, and only when appropriate. Supplementary assessment tasks, including supplementary exams, can be in a different format to the original assessment task.
Sitting the final exam is compulsory in order to be eligible to pass the unit. Any student who does not attempt the final exam will be granted a Fail Absent grade.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Online quiz | 10% | No | Throughout the semester |
Research Report | 40% | No | 5pm Friday, 10 September |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Formal University Examination Period |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Throughout the semester
Weighting: 10%
Regular online quizzes testing unit content
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5pm Friday, 10 September
Weighting: 40%
Students complete a research report on a behavioural experiment.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 48 hours
Due: Formal University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
Final examination held within the University’s formal exam period, in accordance with relevant requirements
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Lectures: The unit will be taught weekly through lectures, which will be delivered entirely online.
Tutorial exercises: Students will complete online tutorial exercises once a fortnight. These tutorials extend lecture material by examining research and practical applications of the more theoretical material covered in lectures.
Textbooks used in this unit are:
Mazur, J.E. (2017). Learning and Behavior (8th Ed. International Ed.). Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Library has electronic copy available, see Leganto on the unit’s iLearn site for access.
Kalat, J.W. (2019, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2007). Biological Psychology (13th, 12th, 11th, 10th or 9th ed).
Week starting |
Topic |
LECTURER |
TEXT |
TUTORIAL |
|||
1 |
26 July |
Introduction to Unit. Non-associative learning. Classical Conditioning 1 — Introduction, terms and forms of CC |
Ramsey & Curby |
Mazur Ch. 1-3 |
NO PRACTICAL |
||
2 |
2 Aug |
Classical Conditioning 2 — Variations of CC and limitations in CC Classical Conditioning 3 —Temporal parameters of CC — Inhibition and extinction of CR |
Curby |
Mazur Ch. 3-4 |
Practical One Learning I (Stream A) |
||
3 |
9 Aug |
Classical Conditioning 4 — Contingency — Rescorla Wagner |
Curby |
Mazur Ch. 4 |
Practical One Learning I (Stream B) |
||
4 |
16 Aug |
Operant conditioning |
Curby |
Mazur Ch. 5 & 6 |
Practical Two Learning II (Stream A) |
||
5 |
23 Aug |
Extinction |
Curby |
Mazur pp. 64-66, 126 |
Practical Two Learning II (Stream B) |
||
6 |
30 Aug |
Punishment Escape and Avoidance learning |
Curby |
Mazur Ch. 7 |
Practical Three Learning III (Stream A) |
||
Biopsychology |
|||||||
7 |
6 Sept |
Behavioural Neuroscience: Genetics, Animal models of addiction |
Ramsey |
Kalat Ch. 4 & 12 |
Practical Three Learning III (Stream B) |
||
SESSION BREAK |
|||||||
8 |
27 Sept |
The Nervous Systems. Brain Cells. |
Ramsey |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 3 |
NO PRACTICAL |
||
9 |
4 Oct |
Neurophysiology, Neurochemistry, Communication by Receptors. |
Ramsey |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 2 |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream A) |
||
10 |
11 Oct |
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter System Dysfunction. |
Ramsey |
Kalat Ch. 2, 14 & App. A |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream B) |
||
11 |
18 Oct |
Substance Use, Substance Use Disorder,
|
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 14 |
Practical Five Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream A) |
||
12 |
25 Oct |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. |
Ramsey |
Kalat Ch. 12 |
Practical Five Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream B) |
||
13 |
1 Nov |
Revision: Learning and Biopsychology |
|
|
NO PRACTICAL |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University, and Psychology undergraduate courses, follow standards-based assessment of student performance. All individual assessment tasks are subject to moderation, consistent with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. A student’s final mark for this unit, and associated grade, must reflect their attainment of the unit learning outcomes, and isn’t necessarily a simple summation of their individual assessment items.
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook