PSY4507

Contemporary issues in psychobiology ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: A/Prof Alan Lill

Offered:
Caulfield First semester 2005 (Evening)
Caulfield First semester 2005 (OCL)
Singapore First semester 2005 (OCL)
Singapore Second semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: This elective will examine some selected, topical issues in Biological Psychology, building on the background in this area of psychology developed in the undergraduate curriculum. The unit will focus on the biological aspects of psychological issues that are controversial and/or for which there are currently competing explanatory hypotheses. The broad scope of Biological Psychology will be reflected in the choice of topics. The general areas from which the specific topics will be chosen are human sexual behaviour, aspects of drug addiction, mood and psychotic disorders, learning and memory mechanisms, and regulation of hunger and thirst.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students will have: 1. become familiar with several topical and controversial issues in psychobiology; 2. acquired skills in reviewing evidence and evaluating contentious theories; 3. gained an appreciation of the value of informed group discussion in evaluating important ideas in psychology; and 4. had practice in the clear and concise summarising of ideas both orally and in a written form.

Assessment: Two written papers (1000-15000 words) + On-campus: participation in discussion, and one oral presentation + OCDL: participation in online discussion groups, and presentation (on the web) of a paper.

Contact Hours: On campus students will attend 2 hour sessions for a period of 9 weeks.

Off-campus attendance requirements: 2 day Residential workshop.

Prerequisites: Entry into the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology or an Honours year in psychology is required to enrol in this unit.

Prohibitions: PSY4508, PSY4509