Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Julia Irwin
Contact via julia.irwin@mq.edu.au
C3A 506
By Appointment
Lecturer
Jennifer Cornish
Contact via jennifer.cornish@mq.edu.au
C3A 412
By Appointment
Convener
Sarah Baracz
Contact via sarah.baracz@mq.edu.au
F9A 151
by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
[PSYC104 and PSYC105] or [(STAT122 or STAT170(P) or STAT171 or PSY122(P)) and (PSY104(P) or PSYC104) and (PSY105(P) or PSYC105)] or [admission to GDipPsych] or [((PSY104(P) and PSY122(P)) or PSYC104) 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 | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Topic On-Line Quiz | 0% | No | As needed |
Mid-Session Test | 30% | No | 5/10/2017 |
Research Report | 30% | No | 15/9/17 |
Final Exam | 40% | No | Examination Period |
Due: As needed
Weighting: 0%
Quiz (5 questions) covering topics of the past week for early feedback on learning progress.
Due: 5/10/2017
Weighting: 30%
A 45 minute test (30 multiple choice questions each with five response options) to be held during the scheduled review session (X5B-T1) in week 8 (Thursday 5th October) from 1pm-2pm or 2pm-3pm. 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 “Sniffy” practicals (Prac 1 & 2).
Due: 15/9/17
Weighting: 30%
A 1,000 word research report (plus 120 word abstract) based on a behavioural experiment will be due 5pm on Friday 15th September.
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, 9-12 lecture topics, in addition to material from both neuroanatomy practicals (Prac 3 & 4).
Classes
Lectures: All lectures will only be provided as topics by video recordings on-line (via iLearn).
Revision Sessions: 1 hr/week - Thursday 1pm-2pm or 2pm - 3 pm in X5B-T1 (the sessions will also be recorded and available on iLearn).
Practicals (tutorials): will be run on weeks 2, 4, 8, 10 (Stream A) and weeks 3, 5, 9, 11 (Stream B) in C5A 316/317. For practical times please see class timetable – pracs 1-11 are Stream A, pracs 12-22 are Stream B. (i.e. each student does four practicals beginning week 2 or 3, depending on which stream they have been allocated).
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 Thursday 1pm-2pm or 2pm-3 pm) 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 (tutorials): Practicals examine research and practical applications of the more theoretical material covered in lectures.
Class Program |
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
LECTURER |
TEXT |
TUTORIAL |
|
1 |
Learning 3 Aug |
Introduction to Learning. Classical Conditioning I. |
Irwin |
Domjan Ch. 1-4 |
NO PRACTICAL |
|
2 |
10 Aug |
Classical Conditioning II. Principles and Applications of Classical Conditioning. |
Irwin |
Domjan Ch. 4-5 |
Practical One Learning I (Sniffy) (Stream A) |
|
3 |
17 Aug |
Research on Classical Conditioning. Introduction to Operant Conditioning. |
Irwin |
Domjan Ch. 7 |
Practical One Learning I (Sniffy) (Stream B) |
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4 |
24 Oct |
Schedules of Reinforcement. Applications of Reinforcement. |
Irwin |
Domjan Ch. 8 |
Practical Two Learning II (Sniffy) (Stream A) |
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5 |
31 Aug |
Extinction. Punishment. |
Irwin |
Domjan Ch.10-13 |
Practical Two Learning II (Sniffy) (Stream B) |
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6 |
7 Sept |
Learning Video. |
Irwin |
|
NO PRACTICAL |
|
7 |
Biopsychology 14 Sept |
Behavioural Neuroscience: Genetics |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 4 & 12 |
NO PRACTICAL |
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SESSION BREAK |
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8 |
Mid-session Test 5 Oct |
Covers material from lectures Week 1-5 and Prac 1 & 2 |
Irwin/Staff |
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9 |
12 Oct |
The Nervous Systems. Brain Cells. |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 3 |
Practical Three Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream A) |
|
10 |
19 Oct |
Neurophysiology, Neurochemistry, Communication by Receptors. |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 2 |
Practical Three Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream B) |
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11 |
26 Oct |
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter System Dysfunction. |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 2, 14 & App. A |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream A) |
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12 |
2 Nov |
Substance Abuse. Addiction. |
Cornish |
Kalat Ch. 14 |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream B) |
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13 |
9 Nov |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. |
Cornish |
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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
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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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