| Type: | Undergraduate Subject |
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| Code: | PSYC12-214 |
| EFTSL: | 0.125 |
| Faculty: | Faculty of Society and Design |
| Semesters offered: |
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| Credit: | 10 |
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| Subject fees: |
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Description
This subject introduces biological psychology, the branch of psychology that seeks to understand human and animal behaviour in terms of brain activity and related nervous system structures. Major research findings in biological psychology have significant implications for medical, psychiatric, and clinical psychological treatments and philosophical issues such as the relationship between mind and brain. This subject deals with the biological bases of human behaviour, including the nervous system, especially the brain and the hormonal system. Influences on these systems, such as injury, illness and drugs, are also considered. This subject also aims to develop a critical thinking perspective on issues and findings in psychological research.
Subject details
Learning outcomes
- Apply foundational and contemporary theory in biological psychology and neuroscience to explain neural, sensory, and physiological mechanisms underlying perception, sleep, motivation, emotion, learning, and mental disorders.
- Apply knowledge and skills of Psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
- Analyse theory and research in biological psychology and neuroscience.
- Critically evaluate and synthesise biological psychology and neuroscience literature to communicate evidence-based arguments using APA conventions.
- Communicate biological psychology research to an academic audience using evidence-based scientific reasoning.
- Apply ethical principles and professional standards when evaluating biological psychology and neuroscience research.
- Investigate psychological questions through the critical evaluation, selection, and synthesis of appropriate scholarly sources and methods.
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Pre-requisites:There are no pre-requisites Co-requisites:There are no co-requisites Pre/Co-requisites: |
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| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. All Psychology programs are accredited in the sequence presented and designed to provide students with learning and graduate outcomes in line with APAC accreditation standards. In order to meet these outcomes, students in the Undergraduate program should complete PSYC11, then PSYC12, and finally PSYC13 subjects in the order sequenced. |
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Subject outlines
- September 2026 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2025 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2024 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2023 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2022 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2021 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2020 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2019 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2018 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
- September 2017 [Standard - Biological Psychology]
Subject dates
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September 2026
Standard Offering Enrolment opens: 19/07/2026 Semester start: 14/09/2026 Subject start: 14/09/2026 Last enrolment: 27/09/2026 Teaching census: 09/10/2026 Withdraw - Financial: 10/10/2026 Withdraw - Academic: 31/10/2026
| Standard Offering | |
|---|---|
| Enrolment opens: | 19/07/2026 |
| Semester start: | 14/09/2026 |
| Subject start: | 14/09/2026 |
| Last enrolment: | 27/09/2026 |
| Teaching census: | 09/10/2026 |
| Withdraw - Financial: | 10/10/2026 |
| Withdraw - Academic: | 31/10/2026 |