2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC3508 Drugs, Hormones and Behaviour

15 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Prof John Rodgers
Email: r.j.rodgers@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of all pass for progression modules in Level 2 of: BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology

Pre-requisites

PSYC2503	Psychological Disorders
PSYC2519	Behavioural Neuroscience

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Topic 1 will critically review the psychopharmacology of aggression and violence. Topic 2 will critically review the discovery & functional significance of the endogenous opioid peptides (endorphins). Topic 3 will critically review work on brain mechanisms of reward & their relevance to drug abuse. Topic 4 will critically review the role of the early hormonal environment in sexual differentiation of body, brain and behaviour.

Objectives

This module aims to provide in depth coverage of empirical, conceptual and theoretical issues relating to the highly active research area of 'Drugs, Hormones and Behaviour'. The module will be taught by an expert in the subject.
Students will continue to develop their knowledge in this area of the discipline with particular emphasis on relevant research.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion, students will have acquired a 'state of the art' understanding of research techniques and findings in four highly topical areas of behavioural neuroscience. In addition to the four taught topics, an understanding of a self-researched topic is expected.

Skills outcomes
In addition to a detailed grasp of the literature on 4 main topics in behavioural neuroscience, students will be able to critically evaluate scientific theory/evidence and assess its potential clinical implications.

Syllabus

1. Psychopharmacology, aggression and violence [4.5 hours: lectures, support video]
2. The brain's natural opiates[3 hours: lectures, support video
3. Dopamine, reward and drugs of abuse [4.5 hours: lectures, support video]
4. Hormones, sex and the brain [4.5 hours: lectures, support video.]

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Drop-in Session	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	11	1.50	16.50
Tutorial	1	1.00	1.00
Private study hours			131.50
Total Contact hours			18.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students will have approximately 131.5 hours of private study. It is envisaged that this time will be spent reading for each lecture (3 hours/lecture = 33 hours), independent reading & research (48.5 hours), and in exam preparation (50 hours).

The 'independent reading and research' includes background work on a seen essay question provided at the beginning of the module. This compulsory question relates to a hot topic in behavioural neuroscience but one not specifically taught in the module. It forms section 1 of the examination paper. Students are required to use their library skills to independently locate and assess literature relevant to the question, and to produce a well-structured, argued and supported essay under examination conditions. More conventionally, Section 2 of the paper (unseen) requires the student to write an essay on one of the three topics taught on the module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored during class discussions, active participation in which will be facilitated by a topic-relevant video. Progress can also be gauged via the pre-exam question and answer tutorials; Q&A are providing individual feedback on student’s progress about their understanding of key topics.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Exam with advance information on questions	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

To clarify the exam assessment table above. Students will actually sit a single 2 hour examination paper, comprising seen and unseen components. Section 1 will comprise a single compulsory seen essay question (distributed week 1 of teaching & requiring students to use their library skills to independently research relevant literature). Section 2 will comprise a choice of one from 3 essays based on the taught components of the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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