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Course Description
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Course Name
Biological Psychology
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Host University
University of Galway
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Location
Galway, Ireland
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Area of Study
Psychology
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Prerequisites
Admission to some psychology courses will depend on the academic background of the student in the relevant subject area.
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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ECTS Credits
5 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits2
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units3
Hours & Credits
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Overview
The aim of this course is to provide students with a good understanding of the biological bases of behaviour from a brain systems perspective. The structure, modes of communication and functions of the nervous system will be reviewed with reference to the following: the biological basis of schizophrenia, the biological rhythms of waking, sleeping and dreaming, and the neural mechanisms of higher level cognitive functions such as language, learning and memory.
Module objectives
* To introduce the relation between brain and cognition and to thus encourage a physiological perspective on psychological function
* To introduce the concept of localized or modular brain function and to then develop the contrasting but nonetheless key concept of distributed brain function with reference to complex disorders of the brain such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia
* To impart to students the distinct roles and contributions of the various brain systems that collectively mediate higher level cognitive functions (e.g., language, learning and memory) and also waking, sleeping and dreaming.
* To encourage students to think in a critically evaluative way about empirical research in the biological psychology field.Basic Reading
Carlson, Neil R. (2007). Foundations of Physiological Psychology, 7th Edition. Boston: Pearson / Allyn & Bacon.
Additional topic-related reading lists are provided during the course.
Evaluation
One two-hour examination at the end of Semester 2.
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.
Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.
Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.