PL4S157 - Brain and Cognition 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL4S157
Module Title: Brain and Cognition
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology and Therapeutic Studies
Faculty Sub Group: Psychology
Module Leader: Rachel Taylor
Module Team: Sarah-Anne Evans, Andrea Mahoney, Kirsty Richards, Alexis Jones, Dan Bowers, Leigh Attwood
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100493 - applied psychology 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To provide students with the core requirements for BPS accreditation in the areas of biological and cognitive psychology.
To encourage students to develop their critical understanding of the relationship between biological processes and cognitive and behavioural abilities.

Content Summary

This module will address core topics in biological and cognitive psychology including sensation and perception, learning and memory, language and communication, thinking and problem solving. Students will be encouraged to critically appraise the relationship between brain structure and cognitive function. Students will also critically assess the effects of individual differences in relation to aspects of daily living. This will include topics such as experiencing the world through deficits in sensation and perception, communicating with others with atypical language development, and the challenges of making economic decisions. These topics will be contextualised around current concerns faced by the external organisations partnered with the course. The challenges of identifying and supporting difference in cognitive abilities will form part of the discussions in online seminars and students will be encouraged to formulate evidence-based solutions to meet these challenges. Each topic of learning will be supported by an online formative test to promote the development of a breadth of knowledge in the area.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 12
Independent Study 148
Directed Study 20
Formative Assessment - Independent 5
Problem / challenge based learning 15
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Provide an integrated and critical understanding of the key principles, concepts, and empirical findings in the study of cognitive and biological psychology.
LO2 Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge of biology and cognitive processes to address everyday challenges.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Written Work 1 Students will be required to conduct a usability appraisal of a public space in their local area to assess challenges and adjustments made for those with sensory impairments or cognitive processing issues. This will be accompanied by photographs, video or a weblink to the space to enable tutors to verify the students’ appraisal. 0 3000 100 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Written Work 1

Reading List

Biswas-Diener, R. and Diener, E. (2020) Psychology as a Biological Science. Noba. https://nobaproject.com/textbooks/psychology-as-a-biological-science 

Eysenck M.W. and Groome, D (2023).  Cognitive Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies.  Sage Publishers 

Eysenck, M.W. and Keane, M.T. (2020) Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (7th Edition). Psychology Press  

Freberg, L. (2022).  An Introduction to Applied Behavioural Neuroscience: Biological Psychology in Everyday Life. Taylor & Francis 

Gazzaniga, M., Ivry R., & Mangun. GR (202019) Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind. W.W. Norton & Company  

Higgs, S., Cooper, A., and Lee, J. (2023).  Biological Psychology.  Sage Publishers 

Plus, journals relevant to Biological & Cognitive Psychology such as: Applied Cognitive Psychology 

Biological Psychology Cognitive Neuropsychology Cognitive Psychology