Students

PSYX2236 – Biopsychology and Learning

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

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.

General Information

Download as PDF
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.

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:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate a general understanding of the principles and mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • ULO2: Use electronic databases to search for papers on relevant topics.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, including through participation in class discussions
  • ULO4: Develop self-awareness skills by identifying and setting targets, and applying time management
  • ULO5: Critically analyse the key concepts of biopsychology and learning
  • ULO6: Solve problems by comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data and formulating new explanations

General Assessment Information

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.

Assessment Tasks

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

Online quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Throughout the semester
Weighting: 10%

 

Regular online quizzes testing unit content

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the principles and mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Use electronic databases to search for papers on relevant topics.
  • Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, including through participation in class discussions
  • Develop self-awareness skills by identifying and setting targets, and applying time management
  • Critically analyse the key concepts of biopsychology and learning
  • Solve problems by comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data and formulating new explanations

Research Report

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.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the principles and mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Use electronic databases to search for papers on relevant topics.
  • Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, including through participation in class discussions
  • Develop self-awareness skills by identifying and setting targets, and applying time management
  • Critically analyse the key concepts of biopsychology and learning

Final Examination

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

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the principles and mechanisms of behavioural neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and learning.
  • Use electronic databases to search for papers on relevant topics.
  • Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, including through participation in class discussions
  • Develop self-awareness skills by identifying and setting targets, and applying time management
  • Critically analyse the key concepts of biopsychology and learning
  • Solve problems by comparing alternative interpretations of neuroscience data and formulating new explanations

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

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).

Unit Schedule

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

 

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

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

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

Grading

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.

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 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. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

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