Program Overview

Unit of Study PSYC3004 Biological Psychology

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• Faculty & College: Faculty of Health
• Placement: No
• Pre-requisites: PSYC1001 - Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition AND must have completed or be currently enrolled in STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology

Unit Description

Provides a thorough overview of the structures and functions of the human brain for the professional and/or academic psychologist. This knowledge is supplemented with consideration of the neural mechanisms of memory and learning, communication, and complex human behaviour. In addition, students will engage with modern neuroscientific research methods and findings and write two research reports related to these areas.

Unit Content

1. Cells of the central nervous system
2. Communication in the brain
3. How do we know about the brain?
4. Cognition
5. Sensory systems
6. Putting biopsychology into practice

Availabilities

• Location: Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Online
• Domestic: Term 1
• International: Term 1

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• Integrate information about psychobiological structures and processes, human experience, and behaviour
• Identify the processes that form the basis of neural functioning
• Communicate neuroscience and/or psychological information in a format consistent with accepted practice in psychology
• Analyse and interpret experimental data relating to biopsychology and neuroscience and identify areas for future research

Teaching and Assessment

Coffs Harbour (Term)

• Teaching method: Workshop 1 hour (Weekly), Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
• Assessment:
  • Report: 30%
  • Report: 50%
  • Quiz: 20%

Gold Coast (Term)

• Teaching method: Workshop 1 hour (Weekly), Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
• Assessment:
  • Report: 30%
  • Report: 50%
  • Quiz: 20%

Online (Term)

• Teaching method: Workshop 1 hour (Weekly), Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
• Assessment:
  • Report: 30%
  • Report: 50%
  • Quiz: 20%

Prescribed Learning Resources

Term 1

• Prescribed Texts: No prescribed texts.
• Prescribed Resources/Equipment: Internet Access

Fee Information

Domestic

• Commonwealth Supported courses: For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
• Fee paying courses: For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

International

• Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

Courses that Offer this Unit

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (2025): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (2026): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws (2025): Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws (2026): Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science (2025): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
• Bachelor of Exercise Science and Psychological Science (2026): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
• Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Business (2025): Gold Coast, Online
• Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Business (2026): Gold Coast, Online