Undergraduate - UnitPSY2031 - Developmental and biological psychology

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Continuation of first-year psychology topics: developmental psychology and biological psychology. Developmental psychology encompasses physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes across the life span and how these are shaped by macrosystems such as culture, and microsystems such as peers and the family. Biological psychology includes states of consciousness, mental disorders and addiction, mechanisms and disorders of learning and memory, and the regulation of emotional and motivated states. The laboratory program complements the lectures, and provides further training in research techniques, report writing, oral presentations and teamwork. Compulsory weekend school for OCL students.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will have:

1. learned how human behaviour, both simple and complex, is underpinned by physiological and neural processes;

2. acquired an understanding of the interplay between local and distal, and familial and cultural, factors in determining the course of development from birth through to old age; and

3. developed more advanced skills in report writing.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours, multiple-choice): 50%
Two assignments: 10% (Developmental presentation) and 20% (Biological lab report) 20% On-line lecture quizzes
Hurdle requirement: 75% lab attendance

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Joanne Fielding

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture per week, plus one 2-hour laboratory per fortnight

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory attendance at a 1-day weekend school is required for all off-campus students.

Prerequisites

PSY1011 and PSY1022

Co-requisites

PSY2051

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/course/ugrad/major-minor.html