Unit Outline

This unit extends 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 theories and concepts will be integrated with cognitive theories to cover topics such as attention, learning and memory, emotion, cognition, and language. You will apply your knowledge of behavioural and cognitive neuroscience to summarise peer-reviewed neuroscience literature, analyse and interpret empirical data, and report findings from psychological research studies.

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 major neuroanatomical structures and neural processes that underlie human behaviour.
2	Apply methodologies, theories and concepts from behavioural and cognitive neuroscience to explain behaviour.
3	Interpret and analyse 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

In 2023 we received quite a bit of feedback regarding the major assignment and rubric. They have been amended for 2024.

We greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, via staff-student consultation sessions at the end of semester and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

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	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Final Exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Assessment

Task Description:

Mid-semester test assessing unit content from weeks 1-6.

Task Length:

Time limit of 2 hours once commenced.

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe neural anatomical structures and processes that underlie human behaviour.	LO1
2	Interpret neuroscientific data obtained from a variety of study designs and neuroscience methodologies.	LO3
3	Apply behavioural and cognitive neuroscience methodologies and theories to explain behaviour in laboratory and real-world contexts.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Written Assignment

Task Description:

Summarise and interpret a current empirical neuroscience research article and evaluate its real-world significance.

Task Length:

1200 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the theoretical justification of the study's hypotheses.	LO2, LO3
2	Summarise the methodology and results for a non-expert reader.	LO3
3	Evaluate the real-world impact of the study’s findings.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Final Exam

Task Description:

Final exam assessing unit content from weeks 8-12.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe neural anatomical structures and processes that underlie human behaviour.	LO1
2	Interpret neuroscientific data obtained from a variety of study designs and neuroscience methodologies	LO3
3	Apply behavioural and cognitive neuroscience methodologies and theories to explain behaviour in laboratory and real-world contexts.	LO2

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.