PL1S122 - Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 5

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL1S122
Module Title: Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: James Greville
Module Team: Gareth Miles, Kirsty Richards, Dan Bowers, Alexis Jones, Leigh Attwood
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 5
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To provide students with a broad overview of key concepts, theories and research in biological and cognitive psychology.

Content Summary

A range of topics in biological and cognitive psychology will be included as part of this module. The module will establish the Biological Basis of Behaviour, consider the roles that hormones and behavioural genetics play in psychological functioning and will introduce key theoretical perspectives in neuroscience, neuropsychology and evolutionary psychology. Key perspectives in cognitive psychology will also be considered including perception, attention, learning and memory as well as higher cognitive processes such as thinking, problem-solving, consciousness and language.

Independent formative assessment activities will be included as part of this module to support students’ progress towards summative assessments.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 84
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a good understanding of key concepts and research in biological and cognitive psychology
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of how behaviour is the result of underlying biological and cognitive processes

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Written essay with a choice of titles on key topics in biological or cognitive psychology 0 1500 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 Online class test (timed, open-book) comprising a selection from a bank of MCQs and short answer questions, covering topics from the module 60 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Eysenck, M.W. and Keane, M.T. (2015) Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (7th Edition). Psychology Press

Hood, B.M. and Schacter, D. (2015). Psychology: Second European Edition. Palgrave

Kolb, B. and Whishaw, I. (2016). An Introduction to Brain and Behaviour. Worth Publishers