module specification

This module combines an introduction to the brain and behaviour with instruction in the American Psychological Association (APA) style for the written reporting of psychological research.

It intends to provide a general introduction to and overview of the structure and processes of the nervous system, and its role in determining behaviour. The module will demonstrate the role of biological psychology not just within the academic setting but its role in today’s society and the world. This module will be understandable and comprehensive to a person with no or little biological sciences background.

A significant element of this module is practical work.  Students will be required to act as participants in example experiments from a range of psychological areas in order both to experience taking the role of research participant, and to develop their understanding of various aspects of the research process.

The aims for the biological element of this module will include providing an introduction to the fundamentals of biological psychology. In addition it will provide a framework for evaluating biological research methods, ideas and theories. It will introduce data from both humans and animals; demonstrating their integration. It will encourage independent learning through developing library skills and the ability to provide evidence and to support or refute ideas. For the experimental psychology element, this module aims to introduce students to the practice of conducting and reporting research in psychology. This will include consideration of research design issues, codes of practice for psychology researchers, ethics in psychology research, and research reporting conventions.

Biological psychology topics will include introducing the nervous system and endocrine system, communication between and within cells, neuroanatomy, biological research methodology, behavioural and molecular genetics, and the biological bases of the senses.

The experimental psychology syllabus will include an introduction to the structure and purpose of a research report; how to write and format each section of a research report; APA style for scientific writing; and APA referencing style. In addition, this module will introduce students to ways in which they can appropriately include discussion of good practice in the design and conduct of research (including research ethics) within a research report. Finally, this module will involve students in active participation in a range of psychology experiments.

The biological element of this module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, group seminars, and individual tutorials.  It will consist of a combination of lecturer-led lectures, workshops, seminars and individual tutorials, supplementary guided learning via weblearn and self managed private study.

In terms of opportunities for PDP development in the biological part of the module, students will be exposed to the full discipline of biological psychology. During this time, the different careers within the field of biological psychology will be discussed. During individual and group seminars students will have the opportunity to discuss potential careers within the area and seek advice from lecturers.

The experimental psychology element of this module will be delivered through a combination of lectures (including classroom assessment techniques (CATs)), practical classes, group tutorials, and workshops.

Lectures will deliver core content to students, and lecture-based CATs will facilitate students’ reflection upon their understanding of these concepts. Practical classes will enable students’ experiential learning of the process of experimental research in psychology, as well as providing students with the research examples upon which their written reports will be based. Group tutorials will use the practical class research examples as a basis for developing students’ ability to critique research (for example, in terms of considering limitations of and alternatives to the research design). Finally, the workshops will provide students with the opportunity to engage in discussions and practical exercises designed to facilitate active learning of core concepts and skills, and to facilitate reflection on their learning and clarification of any issues raised.

Students’ active engagement in these elements is essential to success on this module. Students will be supported in their learning through the provision of directed reading and exercises, and through online learning materials (e.g., video tutorials). Students are responsible for engaging with these activities in a timely manner and for using formative feedback provided in relation to both contributory assessments (practical reports) and non-contributory assessments (directed private study activities) to facilitate reflection on their progress.

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. provide knowledge of the nervous system and its influence on human behaviour under examination conditions and a time restriction;
2. conduct literature reviews including the use of  journal articles and specialist texts rather than just general texts, evaluating theories and communicating this within a word limit;
3. develop skills in the writing of a report of a psychology experiment in the format described by American Psychological Association (APA) style conventions.

For the biological psychology component, summative and formative assessment will be via an unseen closed examination of 1.5 hrs (25%); and a coursework essay of 1500 words (25%).

Additional formative assessment can be gained from a non-contributory web based test, where answers will provided to students after completion of the test.

For the experimental psychology component of the module, contributory assessment will consist of four partial research reports and one full research report. The first two partial reports will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. The remaining two partial reports are worth 15% each of the marks available for the module, and the full report is worth 20% of the marks available for the module. The aim of this strategy is for students to develop mastery of and confidence in writing a research report in APA style by dealing with the task in managed stages (addressing learning outcome 4).

American Psychological Association. (2010). Concise rules of APA style (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Banyard, P., & Grayson, A. (2008). Introducing psychological research (3rd ed.). Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Carlson, N. R. (2009). Physiology of behaviour (10th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied
Kalat, J. W. (2008). Biological psychology (10th ed.). Belmont, California: Wandsworth Publishing.
Pinel, J. P. J. (2010). Biopsychology (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
The British Psychological Society. (2009). Code of ethics and conduct. Guidance published by the Ethics Committee of The British Psychological Society. Retrieved from http://www.bps.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/code_of_ethics_and_conduct.pdf
The British Society for Immunology has information concerning latest immunology research and can be retrieved from: http://www.immunology.org/
The Society for Neurosciences includes latest neurosciences research and can be retrieved from:  http://www.sfn.org/