2341 - Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience

The course will provide several possible outcomes for graduates. These are:

• an in-depth specialised program in behavioural neuroscience leading to a research-based honours year in the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine or another biomedical science department
• a vocationally focused degree, which meets the accreditation requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, and will lead to higher studies in psychology in honours and later years
• a non-specialised general undergraduate degree in behavioural neuroscience.

Students will, by the selection of elective units in second and third year, and their subsequent performance in these units, determine which of these outcomes is to be achieved.

On completion of this course, students will have:

• acquired a basic knowledge of behavioural neuroscience, and will understand the relationship of behavioural neuroscience to other areas of learning
• become familiar with the diversity of topic areas covered within the disciplines of psychology and the biomedical sciences
• become familiar with the research frontier at which advances in behavioural neuroscience are occurring; developed the skills necessary to critically appraise the relevant literature
• an appreciation of the ethical and social attitudes and responsibilities which arise as a professional behavioural neuroscientist
• mastered the essential research design procedures, statistical analyses and methods of written and oral communication relevant to the field of behavioural neuroscience
• acquired skills in modern information technologies, which will enhance their effectiveness in employment as modern neuroscientists.

The course is designed as a series of interlinked and consecutive sequences of units aimed to permit students to readily acquire fluency and proficiency in the concepts, language and fundamentals of behavioural neuroscience. The development of such a flexible curriculum may be achieved as part of one or more orderly course sequences or knowledge streams. The distinctive feature of this educational approach is that students are allowed some flexibility in their choice of units so that they are able to construct a sequence of studies suitable to their own requirements. In this way, students choose the most appropriate studies for their own particular career aspirations.

Areas of study

All students in the Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience course will complete a program which is a combination of core and elective units.

The degree involves successful completion of:

• six compulsory behavioural neuroscience units (one at first year, two at second year and three at third-year level)
• five compulsory biomedical units (four at first year and one at second-year level)
• five compulsory psychology units (two at first year and three at second year level)
• eight elective units (one at first year, two at second year and five at third-year level).

In third year, students will major in behavioural neuroscience plus one of psychology, physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, or pharmacology.

Successful completion of the degree plus appropriate choice of major at the third-year level will provide an opportunity of gaining entry into a fourth-year honours program.

Students enrolled in the behavioural neuroscience course will receive a manual for the degree outlining policies regarding teaching, assessment and acceptable conduct. In addition, students will receive more detailed information about core units from unit convenors and individual unit manuals. These manuals contain detailed information on teaching staff, contact persons, timetables, textbooks, reading guides, supplementary lecture material, details and weighting of assessment methods and procedures including some specific assessment dates. Manuals are available at the commencement of each semester.

First year

First semester

• BMS1011 Biomedical chemistry
• BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms
• PSY1011 Psychology 1A
• elective unit

Second semester

• BMS1052 Human neurobiology*
• BMS1062 Molecular biology
• BNS1072 Foundations of behavioural neuroscience
• PSY1022 Psychology 1B

* Prerequisite for all BNS second and third year units.

Second year

First semester

• BMS2021 Biochemistry in human function
• BNS2011 Brain structure and function I
• PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology
• PSY2051 Research design and analysis

Second semester

• BNS2012 Brain structure and function II
• PSY2042 Cognitive and social psychology
• elective unit
• elective unit

Third year

First semester

• BNS3021 Neurochemistry and behaviour
• elective unit
• elective unit

Plus select one of:*

• BCH3031 Advanced molecular biology: modern concepts and applications
• BHS3110 Researching Behaviour: Principles and Practice
• GEN3030 Genetics of development
• PHA3011 Principles of drug action
• PSY3051 Perception and personality
• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3180 Human neuropsychology: Developmental and neurodegenerative disorders
• PSY3160 Psychology of language

* The chosen unit will contribute towards the major in behavioural neuroscience.

Second semester

• BNS3052 Drugs, brain and altered awareness
• BNS3062 Imaging and brain disorders
• elective unit
• elective unit

Elective units

All other elective units in third year must be chosen from the following disciplines: psychology, anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, pharmacology or immunology. Students should select third-year electives carefully, as choice of major will determine eligibility for entry into the various units being offered at honours level.

An additional honours year is available to eligible students.

Depending on the units completed, students may meet the accreditation requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.