Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Katherine Ko
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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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))
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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). 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.
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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:
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).
To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.
The final exam for this unit will take place online under invigilated conditions. Students are expected to make themselves available for the final exam, at the date and time set by the University, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. 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.
Word count penalty: 5% of the total possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for the research report assessment task. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the seventh day (including weekends). After the seventh day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11:55PM. A one-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For example:
Number of days (hours) late |
Total Possible Marks |
Deduction |
Raw mark |
Final mark |
1 day (1-24 hours) |
100 |
5 |
75 |
70 |
2 days (24-48 hours) |
100 |
10 |
75 |
65 |
3 days (48-72 hours) |
100 |
15 |
75 |
60 |
7 days (144-168 hours) |
100 |
35 |
75 |
40 |
>7 days (>168 hours) |
100 |
- |
75 |
0 |
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Research Report | 40% | No | Friday, 8 September |
Online quiz | 10% | No | Throughout the session |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Formal University Examination Period |
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Friday, 8 September
Weighting: 40%
Students complete a research report on a behavioural experiment.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Throughout the session
Weighting: 10%
Regular online quizzes testing unit content
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
This unit consists of scheduled lectures and tutorial activities. Lectures are delivered online via Echo360. Tutorial activities are accessed online and commence in Week 2. See iLearn for full details.
Recommended Readings
Mazur, J.E. (2017). Learning and Behavior (8th Ed. or International Ed.). Engelwood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall. Library has electronic copy available through ebookcentral-proquest.
Kalat, J.W. (2019, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2007). Biological Psychology (13th, 12th, 11th, 10th, or 9th ed).
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop, or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.
Week starting |
Topic |
Text |
Tutorial |
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1 |
24 July |
Introduction to the Unit Non-associative Learning Classical Conditioning 1 - Terms and forms of classical conditioning |
Mazur Chapers 1 to 3 |
- |
2 |
31 July |
Classical Conditioning 2 - Variations and limitations Classical Conditioning 3 - Temporal parameters of classical conditioning - Inhibition and extinction of conditioned response |
Mazur Chapters 3 and 4 |
Tutorial 1 Learning 1 (Stream A) |
3 |
7 August |
Classical Conditioning 4 - Contingency - Rescorla-Wagner model |
Mazur Chapter 4 |
Tutorial 1 Learning 1 (Stream B) |
4 |
14 August |
Operant Conditioning |
Mazur Chapters 5 and 6 |
Tutorial 2 Learning 2 (Stream A) |
5 |
21 August |
Extinction |
Mazur pp. 64 to 66, 126 |
Tutorial 2 Learning 2 (Stream B) |
6 |
28 August |
Punishment Escape and Avoidance Learning |
Mazur Chapter 7 |
- |
Biopsychology |
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7 |
4 September |
Behavioural Neuroscience |
Kalat Chapters 4 and 12 |
- |
SESSION BREAK |
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8 |
25 September |
The Nervous Systems |
Kalat Chapters 1 and 3 |
- |
9 |
2 October |
Neurophysiology Neurochemistry Communication by Receptors |
Kalat Chapers 1 and 2 |
Tutorial 3 Biopsychology 1 (Stream A) |
10 |
9 Oct |
Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitter Dysfunction |
Kalat Chapters 2 and 14, App. A |
Tutorial 3 Biopsychology 1 (Stream B) |
11 |
16 October |
Substance Use Substance Use Disorder |
Kalat Chapter 14 |
Tutorial 4 Biopsychology 2 (Stream A) |
12 |
23 October |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory |
Kalat Chapter 12 |
Tutorial 4 Biopsychology 2 (Stream B) |
13 |
30 October |
Revision |
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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
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
For information and administrative processes specific to OUA studies, please see this website: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia
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.
Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.
In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.
As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.
Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.
Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook