PYB102 The Mind and the Brain
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | PYB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | The Commonwealth supported place student contribution amount for this unit depends upon the course of study. Find out more |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,024 |
| International unit fee | $4,224 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | PYB102 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Brooke Andrew | brooke.andrew@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Psychology is a broad-ranging and multifaceted discipline which encompasses the scientific study of human behaviour and the systematic application of knowledge gained from psychological research to a broad range of real-world issues. The goal of this foundational unit is to introduce you to the areas of biological (physiological) and cognitive psychology and to develop your understanding of the methods used to critically evaluate, ethically conduct, and effectively communicate psychological research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically examine the major concepts, theories, and research in the areas of biological and cognitive psychology
- Employ digital capabilities to access and utilise psychological research, and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of that research
- Effectively communicate real-world psychological research through the creation of a written Laboratory Report
- Synthesise and apply your understanding of biological and cognitive psychology to a range of a real-world situations
- Critically reflect on ethical conduct of psychological research
Content
This unit introduces you to the major theories, concepts, methods, and basic findings in the areas of biological (physiological) and cognitive psychology. Key areas covered include functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and core cognitive processes.
Learning Approaches
The unit comprises a series of learning modules that are designed to introduce you to the theories, concepts, methods, and basic findings in the areas of biological (physiological) and cognitive psychology. We take a blended and flexible approach to delivering the modules, offering both in person and online engagement with the learning activities. Primary unit content will be delivered both in person and in asynchronous online learning activities.
As part of these modules, there will be exercises and collaborative activities designed to clarify and deepen your understanding of important concepts, as well as covering essential information to help you to understand how to effectively communicate psychological research through completing the Laboratory Report. Students have the option to engage with these activities in person (via on campus tutorials) or via synchronous online engagement (online tutorials). Support for your learning is embedded throughout these activities, including guidance on how to develop your academic writing skills. Throughout semester, you will engage with a series of summative Online Quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you keep on track with your learning and give you feedback on your understanding of the unit content. To augment your understanding of the ethical conduct of real-world contemporary psychological research, students are encouraged to undertake an Applied Research Participation experience and to critically reflect on this learning experience as part of the Final Examination.
The Canvas site provides embedded support for learning through the provision of writing resources and practice quizzes. Face to face and online learning is conducted in such a way that there is peer and teacher guidance and feedback. Writing resources include links and videos about APA style, finding articles, paraphrasing, and academic integrity. Moreover, SSG offers online resources, targeted email support and activities, as well as face-to-face and Zoom workshops.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Early and regular feedback on your understanding of the unit content is provided via the use of a series of summative Online Quizzes. This will give you a good sense of how you are progressing toward meeting ULO 1 and provide opportunities for you to reflect upon and refine your study approach as you prepare for the Final Examination, which assess your ability to synthesise and apply your understanding (ULO4).
Formative feedback regarding ULO 2 will be obtained through instructor-led collaborative activities in the learning modules, and this ULO, along with ULO 3, will be addressed via written summative feedback provided on the Laboratory Report.
ULO 5 will be assessed via a brief, critically reflective essay as part of the Final Exam.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit will be submitted electronically. You will be required to submit your assessment via Turnitin content-matching software. Assessment will be marked online and your feedback will be supplied via Canvas.
This is an internally offered unit; you are required to attend examinations in person, on QUT Brisbane campuses.
Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that criteria and standards have been applied consistently and fairly. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success. Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Online Quizzes
A series of three online multiple-choice quizzes released during the course of the semester to assess your ongoing learning and provide feedback.
Typically, these three quizzes are opened in Weeks 4 or 5 (Quiz One), Weeks 8 or 9 (Quiz Two), and Weeks 12 or 13 (Quiz Three). These quizzes typically remain open for two weeks.
Assessment: Laboratory Report
The Laboratory Report will be based on an experiment conducted in the first few weeks of the semester. You will conduct the experiment under the guidance of your tutor using digital survey and experiment delivery software commonly used by behavioural science professionals. Your task as a behavioural scientist, is to write sections of a research report introducing and discussing the experiment, using the data collected and analysed. You will use industry-standard databases such as PsycINFO to search and review relevant literature. Your report will follow the standard format for scientific writing adopted by psychological professionals (developed by the American Psychological Association).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Examination
Multiple-choice questions on all information covered in the unit and a short reflective essay about the design and ethical principles related to your research participation during the semester.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2019). Psychology: Australian and New Zealand (5th ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley and Sons. (Print or Digital version)
Risk Assessment Statement
You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.PY45 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
- Describe and evaluate the core scientific perspectives of psychology with reference to theories, methods and research, from diverse perspectives, including first-nations perspectives.
Relates to: Online Quizzes, Laboratory Report, Final Examination - Critically examine the scientific discipline of psychological research and theories using oral, written and digital communication to address psychological issues in a respectful, ethical and professional manner.
Relates to: Online Quizzes, Laboratory Report, Final Examination - Employ strategies for self-reflection, with regards to your conduct, values and impact on others and the profession in a culturally sensitive, inclusive, ethical and sustainable way.
Relates to: Final Examination - Implement a range of digital capabilities to access, examine and utilise evidence-based information in the context of effectively responding to, and communicating, real world problems.
Relates to: Laboratory Report