| Effective Term: | 2025/04 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Cognitive and Biological Psychology |
| Unit ID: | PSYCB2107 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (Two of: PSYCB1101, PSYCB1102, PSYCB1003 or STATS1000) |
| 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 main areas in cognitive psychology and biological psychology, and to become acquainted with the research methods employed in both fields. The unit will cover a range of topics in experimental cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and biological psychology, including the biological foundations of behaviour (functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology), attention and perception, memory, language, and thinking. Unit content is delivered through a combination of online resources, theoretical text readings, and laboratory (lab) classes. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| 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 Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | |  | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify and describe the major areas in cognitive psychology and a range of topics in biological psychology, including relevant terms, concepts, theories, and research. |
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| K2. | Evaluate and explain the importance of relevant research studies and advancements in cognitive and biological psychology. |
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| K3. | Identify and describe the main research methods used in cognitive and biological psychology. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Develop skills to critically review the literature and evaluate different research methodologies used in cognitive and biological psychology. |
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| S2. | Develop skills in conducting experimental research in cognitive psychology. |
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| S3. | Further develop skills in the presentation of a standard laboratory report using the required American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply relevant skills and knowledge to critically evaluate psychological literature and concepts. |
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| A2. | Apply relevant skills and knowledge to prepare a report using APA conventions. |
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| A3. | Apply relevant skills and knowledge in linking experimental cognitive psychology and the biological bases of behaviour to real world applications. |
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| Unit Content: |
This unit is designed to enable students to gain and understanding of the main areas of cognitive and biological psychology. Topics covered may include:
•Introduction to the historical background, broad issues, and methodologies of experimental cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and biological psychology.
•Biological foundations of behaviour, including an introduction to functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology.
•Concepts and theories related to perception, attention, memory, language, and thinking (judgement and decision-making, reasoning, and problem solving), along with relevant biological correlates. |
| 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.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | N/A - Not Applicable | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | N/A - Not Applicable | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Quizzes to test knowledge of practical component and experimental research related to topics covered in lectures | Quizzes | 10 - 20% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2 | Produce a written assessment requiring an understanding of experimental research and a critical evaluation of the literature that follows appropriate conventions | Written Assignment | 30 – 50% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, S1, A1, A3 | Examination: Review of lecture, laboratory, and readings content | Exam(s) | 40 – 60% |
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