Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jennifer Cornish
Julia Irwin
Tutor
Nadya Yuris
Tutor
Mitchell Proctor
Lecturer
Sarah Baracz
Tutor
Jasmina Vrankovic
Tutor
Kelsie Boulton
Tutor
Beau Dunlop-Bayly
Tutor
Lauren Ehrenfeld
Tutor
Nick Everett
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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 [((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). 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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Research Report | 40% | No | 14/09/2018 |
Final Exam | 60% | No | Examination Period |
Topic On-Line Quiz | 0% | No | As needed |
Due: 14/09/2018
Weighting: 40%
A 1,200 word research report (plus 120 word abstract) based on a behavioural experiment will be due 5pm on Friday 14th September. This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 60%
A two-hour exam (90 multiple choice questions each with five response options) to be held during the final examination period. This will examine material covered in the weeks 1-12 lecture topics, in addition to material in the practicals.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Due: As needed
Weighting: 0%
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Classes
Lectures: All lectures will only be provided as topics by video recordings on-line (via iLearn).
Revision Sessions: 1 hr/week - see Timetable for time and location (the sessions will also be recorded and available on iLearn).
Practicals (tutorials): will run on weeks 2, 4, 6, 9 & 11 (Stream A) and weeks 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12 (Stream B) - i.e. each student attends five practicals). For times and location please see class timetable – pracs 1-12 are Stream A, pracs 13-24 are Stream B.
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.
Class Program |
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
LECTURER |
TEXT |
TUTORIAL |
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1 |
Learning 30 July |
Introduction to Learning. Non-associative learning. Classical Conditioning 1 — Introduction, terms and forms of CC |
Irwin |
Mazur Ch. 1-3 |
NO PRACTICAL |
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2 |
6 Aug |
Classical Conditioning 2 — Variations of CC and limitations in CC Classical Conditioning 3 —Temporal parameters of CC — Inhibition and extinction of CR |
Irwin |
Mazur Ch. 3-4 |
Practical One Learning I Motor skill (Stream A) |
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3 |
13 Aug |
Classical Conditioning 4 — Contingency — Rescorla Wagner |
Irwin |
Mazur Ch. 4 |
Practical One Learning I Motor Skill (Stream B) |
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4 |
20 Oct |
Operant conditioning |
Irwin |
Mazur Ch. 5 & 6 |
Practical Two Learning II (Sniffy 1) (Stream A) |
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5 |
27 Aug |
Extinction |
Irwin |
Pp 64-66, 126 |
Practical Two Learning II (Sniffy 1) (Stream B) |
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6 |
3 Sept |
Punishment Escape and Avoidance learning |
Irwin |
Mazur 7 |
Practical Three Learning III (Sniffy 2) (Stream A) |
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Biopsychology |
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7 |
10 Sept |
Behavioural Neuroscience: Genetics |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 4 & 12 |
Practical Three Learning III (Sniffy 2) (Stream B) |
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SESSION BREAK |
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8 |
2 Oct |
The Nervous Systems. Brain Cells. |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 3 |
NO PRACTICAL |
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9 |
8 Oct |
Neurophysiology, Neurochemistry, Communication by Receptors. |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 1 & 2 |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream A) |
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10 |
15 Oct |
Neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter System Dysfunction. |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 2, 14 & App. A |
Practical Four Neuroanatomy I Kalat Ch. 2 & 3 (Stream B) |
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11 |
22 Oct |
Substance Abuse, Addiction, Animal models of addiction |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 14 |
Practical Five Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream A) |
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12 |
29 Oct |
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. |
Baracz |
Kalat Ch. 12 |
Practical Five Neuroanatomy II Kalat Ch. 3 & 4 (Stream B) |
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13 |
5 Nov |
Revision: Learning and Biopsychology |
Irwin / Baracz |
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NO PRACTICAL |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
Date | Description |
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23/09/2018 | The number of questions for the final exam did not match the number listed in the unit guide students have on the iLearn website. The number has been changed from 80 to 90. |
31/07/2018 | The dates in the lecture schedule were corrected for the weeks following the Session break |