Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Biological Psychology, Sensation and Perception
  • Unit Code

    PSY3350
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit focuses on the fundamental biological determinants of behaviour by examining the biological patterns associated with normal and abnormal human and animal behaviours. The unit also provides an in-depth understanding of the structures and processes that allow humans to have sensory and perceptual experiences, along with a focus on psychophysical methods of investigation.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from PSY1101, PSY1102

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PSY1203, PSY2214

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Categorise basic psychological disorders on the basis of patterns within biological systems.
  2. Critique ethical issues associated with investigations of complex biological systems.
  3. Evaluate the nature and function of the five senses, with an emphasis on the visual and auditory systems, and psychophysical methods of investigation.
  4. Generalise patterns of states and behaviours, and explain those generalisations in terms of biological systems, such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and genetics.
  5. Identify various structures within the central and peripheral nervous systems, and immunological and musculoskeletal systems and briefly describe their functions.

Unit Content

  1. Basic investigative techniques used in biological psychology.
  2. Biological determinants of learning and memory, the control of movement, eating and drinking, and emotional behaviours.
  3. Definitions and treatments of psychological disorders.
  4. The structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
  5. The structure and function of the endocrine and musculoskeletal systems.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, and on-line support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay/Report50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay/Report50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Kalat, J. W. (2013). Biological psychology (11th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Journal References

  • Scientific American
  • Psychobiology
  • Science
  • Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
  • Physiology and Behaviour

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY3350|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Biological Psychology, Sensation and Perception
  • Unit Code

    PSY3350
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit focuses on the fundamental biological determinants of behaviour by examining the biological patterns associated with normal and abnormal human and animal behaviours. The unit also provides an in-depth understanding of the structures and processes that allow humans to have sensory and perceptual experiences, along with a focus on psychophysical methods of investigation.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from PSY1101, PSY1102

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PSY1203, PSY2214

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Categorise basic psychological disorders on the basis of patterns within biological systems.
  2. Critique ethical issues associated with investigations of complex biological systems.
  3. Evaluate the nature and function of the five senses, with an emphasis on the visual and auditory systems, and psychophysical methods of investigation.
  4. Generalise patterns of states and behaviours, and explain those generalisations in terms of biological systems, such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and genetics.
  5. Identify various structures within the central and peripheral nervous systems, and immunological and musculoskeletal systems and briefly describe their functions.

Unit Content

  1. Basic investigative techniques used in biological psychology.
  2. Biological determinants of learning and memory, the control of movement, eating and drinking, and emotional behaviours.
  3. Definitions and treatments of psychological disorders.
  4. The structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
  5. The structure and function of the endocrine and musculoskeletal systems.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, and on-line support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay/Report50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay/Report50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Kalat, J. W. (2013). Biological psychology (11th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Journal References

  • Scientific American
  • Psychobiology
  • Science
  • Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
  • Physiology and Behaviour

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY3350|2|2