PS411-7-SP-CO:
Brain and Behaviour
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
13 May 2019
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
The module is co-ordinated by Dr Nick Cooper, to whom queries should be addressed.
The aim of the module is to provide an appreciation of the physiological mechanisms that underlie human behaviour. The brain is an extremely complex organ, and many areas of interest to psychologists are as yet, beyond the reductionist approach adopted here. However, it is hoped that the module will at least establish the possibility that even our deepest thoughts and feelings arise from a combination of electrical and chemical interactions.
The lectures will be taught by Dr Steffan Kennett, Dr Helge Gillmeister and Dr Geoff Cole. PS411 will be supported by additional tutorial classes, which will introduce the use of Powerpoint Presentations.
PS411 is assessed by an oral PowerPoint presentation (10%), and a timed essay (15%) and a final end-of-year essay-based summer examination (75%).
Socrate and International students:
These students have different assessments and must check with the department what the requirements are.
This module will detail the psychological mechanisms that underlie human behaviour and highlight the possibility that even our deepest thoughts and feelings arise from electrical and chemical activity in our brains.
Compulsory for:
Year 2 BA Psychology, Year 2 BSc Psychology
Correct as at 18-04-16. SC
The PS411 module will have an oral PowerPoint presentation and coursework essay of 2500 words. Full details will be made available in the module handout. The Module will provide seminars to support your study.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
Lectures:
Lectures form the bulk of teaching in Year II, with weekly lectures on all modules. All lectures are 2 hours in duration. Two-hour lectures will normally have a short break at the halfway point. With the consent of the lecturer, you may ask questions during lectures if any point is unclear, but please remember that lecture time is limited, and there may not be time to resolve questions during the lecture itself. Please note also that use of mobile phones or audience conversations during a lecture, even if whispered, can be very distracting both to the lecturer and other students and should not occur under any circumstances. Be ready to receive a request from a lecturer to be silent if you do start conversations, and expect requests to become more pointed if you are a persistent offender. Promptness at a lecture, which starts on the hour, is essential so that you can collect handouts and take a seat without disrupting the class. If you are unavoidably late, please take a seat quickly and quietly, and be as unobtrusive as possible. If you are persistently late, consider altering your travel arrangements.Tutorials:
Tutorials are available for all second-year modules. For undergraduates these tutorials are not compulsory. Instead, they may be arranged at times of mutual convenience. In order to indicate that you have an interest in attending a tutorial, simply e-mail the module organiser to request a meeting time and date. Tutorials work best if there is a group of interested students, so it is a good idea to request that a tutorial be arranged if you know of a few others who would be willing to come along and participate. Individuals who wish to discuss issues related to the module may simply arrange an appointment. Please note that there is actually a high staff/student contact in computer workshops, laboratory classes and essay-focussed seminars, and many quick questions associated with lectures can be dealt with in these sessions.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Nicholas Cooper, email: ncooper@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nick Cooper, Dr Steffan Kennett, Dr Vincenzo Romei & Dr Gethin Hughes
email: ncooper@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Psychology
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