Understanding the Brain and Mind

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2027/05
Institute / School :Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Unit Title: Understanding the Brain and Mind
Unit ID: PSYCB1112
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): Nil
ASCED: 090701
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the key psychological principles and theoretical underpinnings in contemporary psychology. The aims of this unit are to provide students with a foundational understanding of human behaviour and its application in a variety of contexts. Unit content is delivered through a combination of online materials, textbook readings, and interactive activities. This material may be supplemented with other online resources. Online learning introduces significant theories and methodologies, while classes focus on applied skills in research, critical thinking, and writing, and prepare students for assessment work. Topics introduce students to the study of psychology and its application in the modern world.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Identify and describe theories, principles, and concepts in several major areas within psychology.

K2.

Review, discuss and appraise major psychological terms, methods, and research findings.

K3.

Identify, describe and interpret research techniques

Skills:
S1.

Critically review and evaluate the literature and interpret experimental findings

S2.

Conduct, analyse, and communicate psychological research at a basic level

S3.

Choose and apply the appropriate American Psychological Association (APA) conventions when describing psychological research

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Critically evaluate psychological literature and concepts

A2.

Prepare a written assignment using APA conventions

A3.

Communicate an understanding of key psychological principles and concepts

Other outcomes:
Unit Content:

This unit is designed to enable students to gain an understanding of the key psychological principles and theoretical underpinnings in contemporary psychology.

Topics may include:

  • Introduction to and research in psychology
  • Biological psychology
  • Sensation and perception
  • Learning and memory
  • Consciousness
  • Cognition and language.
Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeightingProfessional Standards
1. K1, K2, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3

Produce a written assignment requiring critical evaluation of the literature and following the appropriate conventions

Written Assignment

30-50%

2. K1, K2, K3, S3, A3

Online Tests: Review of lecture, laboratory, and readings content

Examination(s) and/or Online Tests

10-30%

3. K1, K2, K3, S3, A3

Final Exam or Online Test: Review of lecture, laboratory, and readings content

End-of-Semester Examination and/or Online Test

20-40%

4. K3, S2

Practical or Written: Appreciation of Research Practice

Participation in Research or Short Review

5-10%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency