Psychology 1A: Biological and Experimental

Short Description

To introduce students to core material in the area of biological, cognitive and experimental Psychology broadly defined, including exposure to the conduct of experimentation, data gathering and analysis

Timetable

Lectures weekly Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9 am and 5 pm. Weekly tutorials and laboratories by arrangement.

Assessment

1 essay (25%), 1 laboratory portfolio (25%), 1 degree exam 50%. The degree exam will last 2 hours and is comprised of one essay and 80 multiple choice questions. It will take place at the completion of the course in December.
Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to introduce students to core material in the area of biological, cognitive and experimental Psychology broadly defined, including exposure to the conduct of experimentation, data gathering and analysis. The course also teaches practical skills involved with experiments employing human participants, focussing on research design, statistical analysis, and professional standards in the communication of research findings. Communication skills are also encouraged by means of regular tutorials and group discussions/presentations.
Although the lectures, together with Psychology 1B, form part of a programme which leads to an Honours degree with the Graduate Basis for Chartership with the BPS, the course is also intended for students who wish to exit after Psychology 1A. It therefore can serve as an introduction to the field for students taking the course as part of the general degree or as an outside subject in another honours programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Describe, explain, and evaluate a broad range of theories and research findings in Psychology which will introduce students to Research Methods; Biological Psychology; Perception and Visual Cognition; Human Memory; and, Language.
2. Discuss and evaluate the methodological bases for psychological research.
3. Explain the nature of experimentation in Psychology.
4. Practice and understand experimental and statistical methods in an applied and practical context.
5. Report empirical work adopting professional standards.
6. Discuss and critically evaluate psychological ideas in a written format.
7. Express and explain psychological ideas orally in front of an audience.
8. Summarise and critically evaluate psychological theories and research findings in an unseen examination.