Psychology (PSYC) 402
Biological Psychology (Revision 6)
View previous syllabus.
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study.
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science. Course can also be used to fulfill Science area of study (credential students only).
Prerequisite: A senior high school level biology course (or an introductory university biology course) and a course in introductory psychology (or animal behaviour) are recommended.
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
PSYC 402 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
Psychology 402 examines the relationship between the brain and behaviour. The course explores the biological basis of behaviour, learning, memory, language, and thinking, as well as disorders that arise from nervous system malfunctioning.
Outline
Unit 1: The Major Issues
Unit 2: Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses
Unit 3: Synapses
Unit 4: Anatomy of the Nervous System
Unit 5: Development and Plasticity of the Brain
Unit 6: Vision
Unit 7: The Other Sensory Systems
Unit 8: Movement
Unit 9: Wakefulness and Sleep
Unit 10: Internal Regulation
Unit 11: Reproductive Behaviours
Unit 12: Emotional Behaviours
Unit 13: The Biology of Learning and Memory
Unit 14: Cognitive Functions
Unit 15: Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 402, you must complete all of the course assignments, achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and at least “D” (50 per cent) for the course composite grade. The weighting of assignments is as follows:
| 5 Quizzes | Term Paper | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Kalat, J. W. (2009). Biological Psychology (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Other Materials
The online course materials include a student manual, workbook, and study guide. These can be accessed from the Moodle course page.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 402 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 6, July 21, 2010.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS 02/13/2013 11:11:28
