Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
All psychological phenomena are based in the brain and nervous system. This course overviews the rapidly expanding discipline of neuroscience as relevant to psychologists. Topics include neural changes during learning, cortical control of executive functions and language, control of movement and skilled actions as well as the biological bases of common mental disorders.
The main aim of the course is to develop a critical understanding of neuroscience so that knowledge relevant to psychology in this expanding field can be evaluated by the student. Our approach is a bottom-up hierarchical one: sensory and perceptual processes are essential knowledge for the understanding of neuroscience principles. A secondary aim is to inculcate a feeling of interest in some students who may want to go on to study more advanced topics such as human neuropsychology, sensory neuroscience, or the neuroscience of social behaviour, and prepare them with the methodological background to approach these issues.ﾠTo this end, we will be spending some tutorial time learning a few basic principles of programming in Matlab, as preparation for 3rd-year, Honours and potentially PhD-level pursuits.ﾠKnowledge of methodology is fundamental to conceptualising behavioural and neuroscience principles, therefore methodology will be interwoven into all topics covered in the tutorials.ﾠ
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
10 units of any courses + (PSYC1020 or NEUR1020) + (PSYC1030 or PSYC1040)
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC2020
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Guest lecturer
Dr Mirko Zeljko
Associate Professor Jess Taubert
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The main aim of the course is to develop a critical understanding of neuroscience so that knowledge relevant to psychology in this expanding field can be evaluated by the student. Our approach is a bottom-up hierarchical one: sensory and perceptual processes are essential knowledge for the understanding of neuroscience principles. A secondary aim is to inculcate a feeling of interest in some students who may want to go on to study more advanced topics such as human neuropsychology, sensory neuroscience, or the neuroscience of social behaviour, and prepare them with the methodological background to approach these issues.ﾠTo this end, we will be spending some tutorial time learning a few basic principles of programming in Matlab, as preparation for 3rd-year, honours and potentially PhD-level pursuits.ﾠKnowledge of methodology is fundamental to conceptualising behavioural and neuroscience principles, therefore methodology will be interwoven into all topics covered in the tutorials.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
locate basic brain structures and use anatomical terms
LO2.
identify parts of neurons
LO3.
identify types of brain cells and their functions
LO4.
specify how signals are transmitted through neurons
LO5.
specify the consequences of damage to certain brain regions
LO6.
define some key neurological syndromes (for example, agnosia, apraxia)
LO7.
specify the distinctions between several types of key neurological syndromes
LO8.
define and explain basic facts about how neurons, neurotransmitters and complex brain systems operate to produce normal and abnormal cognition, emotions, motivation and behaviour
LO9.
demonstrate understanding of facts in tests and written reports
LO10.
write an empirical report about a behavioural experiment, clearly defining theory, methods, data and results and inferences to be drawn from data and results
LO11.
demonstrate, through active laboratory activities, a knowledge of some key perceptual functions.
LO12.
demonstrate, through active laboratory activities, an understanding of selected cognitive functions.
LO13.
understand and explain how both low-level abilities, such as perception and motor control, and higher-level abilities, such as inhibitory control and working memory, are organised in the brain
LO14.
Identify and explain the range of research methods used in neuroscience
LO15.
Understand some preliminary principles of computer programming (Matlab)
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Quiz 1
|
21% |
24/03/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial. |
| Quiz |
Quiz 2
|
22% |
28/04/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial. |
| Quiz |
Quiz 3
|
22% |
26/05/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial. |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration | Lab Report 1 - Signal Detection | 10% |
4/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Lab Report 2 - Multisensory Cueing | 25% |
23/05/2025 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Quiz 1
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 21%
- Due date
24/03/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L14
Task description
multiple-choice - paper form
Content: Methods, Neuroanatomy Lecture and Tutorial; Visual System; Non-Visual Systems; Pulfrich Illusion Tutorial
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Quiz 2
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 22%
- Due date
28/04/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05, L06, L07, L08, L14
Task description
multiple-choice - paper form
Content: Attention; Fear / Anxiety; Multisensory Perception /Reward & Motivation; Neuroplasticity; Motor Control;
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Quiz 3
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 22%
- Due date
26/05/2025 -
The quiz will be completed during the weekly tutorial.
- Learning outcomes
- L05, L06, L07, L08, L13, L14, L15
Task description
multiple-choice - paper form
Content: Face Processing: Higher Order Cognitive Functions; Self and Others; Body Representations tutorial; Matlab tutorial
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Lab Report 1 - Signal Detection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
4/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12
Submission guidelines
via Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Lab Report 2 - Multisensory Cueing
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12
Task description
lab report - Introduction and Discussion, 1,800 words total
Submission guidelines
via Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Plagiarised material will be awarded 0 (zero) marks and the student will be referred to the co-ordinatorﾠ and / or Integrity Officer for disciplinary Action.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Course Introduction; Methods in Neuroscience (Dr Mick Zeljko) Readings: Pinel Chapter 5. Learning outcomes: L15 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Neuroanatomy Peripheral and Central Nervous Systems, neuronal and brain structures and functions (Ada Kritikos) Readings: Pinel Chapter 4 (For the lecture). Pinel Chapter 3 is a good reference for Tutorial 1. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05, L08, L09 |
Tutorial |
Neuroanatomy Introduction and Guided Tour of the Brain Readings: Pinel Chapter 4 (For the lecture). Pinel Chapter 3 is a good reference for Tutorial 1. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L08 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
The Visual System Basic Visual Anatomy and Perception (Mick Zeljko) Readings: Pinel Chapter 6 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L11, L13, L14 |
Tutorial |
Signal Detection Signal Detection : ***Attendance extremely important data collection and background for assignment Readings: Pinel Chapter 6 Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L13 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Non-Visual Systems Non-Visual Perception and Function (Mick Zeljko) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
The Pulfrich Illusion The Pulfrich Illusion; lab report 2 : ***Attendance extremely important a)The Pulfrich Illusion b)data collection for lab report 2 Learning outcomes: L11, L12, L13, L14 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Attention Attention theories and processes (Ada Kritikos) Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
week 6 Fear / Anxiety Non-Visual Perception and Function (Mick Zeljko) Recommended reading: Pinel Chapter 7 Mechanisms of Perception: Learning, Touch, Smell, Taste, and Attention. Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Multisensory cueing part a Assignment 2 part a: Lab Report 2: Background and Introduction Learning outcomes: L09, L10, L11, L12 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Multisensory Perception; Reward & Motivation Part 1: Multisensory Perception; Part 2: Reward & Motivation(Mick Zeljko) Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L13 |
Tutorial |
Multisensory cueing part b Assignment 2 part b- Lab Report 2: Results and Discussion Learning outcomes: L09, L10, L11, L12 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Neuroplasticity Neuroplasticity and Recovery from Brain Damage (Ada Kritikos) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L14 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Motor Control Movement and movement disorders (Ada Kritikos) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L13, L14 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Face Processing Face Processing : (Jess Taubert) Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L13 |
Tutorial |
Body Representation Body representation : Body representation and space; rubber hand illusion Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L14 |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Higher Order Cognitive Functions Higher Order Cognitive Functions and the Frontal Lobes (Ada Kritikos) Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L13 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming part 1 Matlab programming 1 - determining features of visual stimuli for experimental presentation Learning outcomes: L13, L14, L15 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
The Self and Others The Self and Others : How we construct a sense of Self (Ada Kritikos) Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L13 |
Tutorial |
Matlab Programming part 2 Matlab programming 2 - Basic coding functions Learning outcomes: L13, L14, L15 |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Revision for quiz Revision for Quiz 3: Motor Control, Face Processing, Higher Cognitive Functions & Self + Others and Matlab Programmin Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07, L13, L14, L15 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: