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2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PSYC3419 Joint Honours: Behavioural Neuroscience
10 creditsClass Size: 10
Module manager: Dr Pam Birtill
Email: p.birtill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2021/22
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successful completion of all pass for progression modules in Level 2 of BA Philosophy, Psychology & Scientific thought (and its International and Industrial variants)This module is mutually exclusive with
| PSYC2519 | Behavioural Neuroscience |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This is an intermediate course on behavioural neuroscience of animal cognition, including illustrative experimental examples. Specific topic areas will include brain mechanisms of learning and memory, drug addiction, social attachment, appetite, and fear.Objectives
This module aims to provide in depth coverage of key concepts in Behavioural Neuroscience.The module will be taught by a team of experts in the subject.
Students will continue to develop their knowledge of this discipline with particular emphasis on the research expertise of the module team.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to:
1. understand the importance of animal models to advances in our knowledge of key areas such as learning and memory, motivation, and social
behaviour.
2. critically evaluate the successes, limitations, and problems associated with the use of animal models.
3. evaluate key theories and findings related to learning and memory, motivation and addiction, social attachment, appetite, and fear and anxiety.
4. understand some of the ways in which our biology can interact with our environment to influence the way we behave
5. provide a brief written critique of relevant published work.
Skills outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in the critical analysis of published behavioural neuroscience research and in literature researching.
Syllabus
- Animal models of learning and memory.
- Animal models of motivation and addiction.
- Neurobiology of social attachment.
- Neurobiology of appetite
- Neurobiology of fear and anxiety.
In all cases, there will be an emphasis on brain & behaviour, with some reference to human behaviour. The contribution to understanding from other approaches/disciplines will be noted as appropriate including ethology, learning theory, neuroscience, physiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| On-line Learning | 1 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Drop-in Session | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.50 | 15.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Private study hours | 82.50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 17.50 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
- 40 hours: 10 x 4 hours preparation for each lecture- 5 hours: preparation for mid-module MCQ
- 5 hours: preparation for journal article critique
- 29 hours: preparation for the end of semester exam
- 3.5 hours: preparation for tutorial
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Submission of the coursework (500-word assignment) is compulsory to pass this module.The mid-module MCQ test will provide feedback to the student as to whether their preparation and understanding of the topic areas has been sufficient.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Critique | 500 word assignment - compulsory | 20.00 |
| In-course MCQ | . | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20.00 | |
The coursework is a compulsory component of the module assessment.
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr 00 mins | 80.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80.00 | |
The exam will consist of two parts. Essay questions (50% of module mark) and MCQs (30%)
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 14/03/2022
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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