Biological psychology and neuropsykology

Course content

Purpose and Content

Biological psychology and neuropsychology covers the (neuro)physiological, evolutional and developmental mechanisms that make up the foundation for our behaviour, experiences and thoughts as they appear in both healthy and pathological cases. Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology is mainly concerned with the basic biological mechanisms that are important to an understanding the function and anatomy of the central nervous system, and there is an emphasis on basic genetics and genetic factors in the development of normal as well as pathological processes within the neurobiological, psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological areas. There is also an emphasis on the pre- and post-natal development of the nervous system. Within the pathological field, psychopathology (psychiatry) and neuropathology (neurology) and covered in the light of a biological and neurobiological perspective with an eye for psycho- and neurophamacology. Furthermore, the neural foundation for selected cognitive processes is covered – including sensation, perception, learning and memory. Finally, an array of neuroscientific methods are introduced, that are utillised within biological psychology. The subject element ensures a basic knowledge of biological psychological processes that are relevant to other psychological core subjects and disciplines, such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology and clinical psychology.

Learning outcome

Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, the student should be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate knowledge of human neuroanatomy alongside the functions of the nervous system.
  • Demonstrate insight into basic genetics and developmental mechanisms.
  • Know of possibilities and limitations connected to selected neuroscientific and neuropsychological methods.

Skills

  • Account in detail for terminology, methods and empirical results within anatomy, physiology, neurochemistry, psycho- and neuropharmacology and neuropathology.
  • Identify the biological foundation behind the appearance of selected diseases relating to the nervous system.

Competencies

  • Identify and critically discuss the relevant biological psychological aspects in other psychological core subjects and disciplines.

Weekly lectures and practice classes every other week
- For the lectures, the student is expected to prepare through literature studies. Recommended reading is indicated in the lecture schedule.
- In the exercise teams, key topics from lectures and syllabi (eg genetics, neuroanatomy, neuroscience methods, plasticity and psycho- and neuropathology) are processed through exercises and group-based student presentations, on which feedback is given and received.

Not relevant
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The exam can only be taken individually.
The student must answer 30 multiple choice questions as well as one open-ended question. The relative influence of the questions on your final grade will be stated before the exam.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assessment

Single subject courses (day)

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Class Instruction
  • 14
  • English
  • 42

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Partially in Danish
Course number
APSB21005U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Bachelor
Bachelor choice
Duration

1 semester

14 weeks beginning week 6
Placement
Spring
Price

800,00 DKK = 1 ECTS

Schedulegroup
B
Capacity
300
Studyboard
Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Psychology
  • Social Data Science
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinators
  • Hana Malá Rytter   (9-6b6471643170646f644373767c316e7831676e)
  • Ro Julia Robotham   (3-706b784676797f34717b346a71)
Saved on the 06-02-2023

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