Unit Outline

This unit provides intermediate level coverage of material introduced in Brain and Behaviour (PSY112) and Psychological Processes (PSY125). Lectures will extend upon introductory material related to the biological basis of behaviour, including the structure and function of the nervous system, how we sense and perceive information, and how we monitor and control our actions. Neuroscience will be balanced with cognitive theories to cover topics such as attention, learning and memory, emotion, cognitive control, and language. Practical classes provide hands-on demonstrations and exercises related to lecture topics. Students develop their understanding of behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, and further develop their skills in critically reviewing research literature, analysing and interpreting data, and reporting findings from psychological research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Describe the major neuroanatomical structures and neural processes that underlie normal human behaviour.
2	Apply the key methodologies, theories and concepts of behavioural and cognitive neuroscience to explain behaviour.
3	Implement skills in the critical interpretation and analysis of neuroscientific data and literature.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	PSY112 AND an additional 12.5 points at introductory level
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA258

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations

How will I be Assessed?

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Online Assessment	Week 7	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Written Assignment	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Final Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Assessment

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Online test assessing ILO’s 1, 2, 3.

TASK LENGTH:

Time limit of 2 hours once commenced.

DUE DATE:

Week 7

WEIGHT:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Identify and interpret relevant neuroanatomical structures and neural processes, demonstrate interpretation of neuroscientific data and critically evaluate basic experiments.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Apply knowledge of the key methodologies, theories and concepts in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Written Assignment

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Written Neuroscientific Data Interpretation: Interpret and critique a scientific study - In this document, students will
describe relevant neuroanatomical structures and neural processes, briefly explain and apply knowledge of the key
methodologies and theories, demonstrate practical skills in the analysis and interpretation of neuroscientific data. Writing
assessment will be focused and succinct - 800 word. The topic will be provided in Week 1.

TASK LENGTH:

800 words

DUE DATE:

Week 10

WEIGHT:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Describe the theoretical and empirical justification for the study/hypotheses.	LO2, LO3
2	Describe the methodology and results.	LO2
3	Explain and evaluate what this article(s) has added to the body of knowledge in its area.	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Discuss the impact of the article in terms of both metrics and real-world implications/applications	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Final Exam

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Final Exam - Online test assessing ILO’s 1, 2, 3.

TASK LENGTH:

2 hours

DUE DATE:

Exam Period

WEIGHT:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Identify and interpret key neuroanatomical structures and processes.	LO1
2	Demonstrate knowledge of key methodologies, theories and findings in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.	LO2
3	Critically interpret key behavioural and cognitive neuroscience data from real experiments.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.