If the content you are seeing is presented as unstyled HTML your browser is an older version that cannot support cascading style sheets. If you wish to upgrade your browser you may download Mozilla or Internet Explorer for Windows.
Revision 5 closed, replaced by current version.
View previous syllabus
Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study.
Online-enhanced.
Credits: 3 - Social Science*
*Course can also be used to fulfill Science area of study (credential students only). Please check the degree regulations for the program you are enrolled in, as not all credentials allow this.
Prerequisite: A senior high school level biology course (or an introductory university biology course) and a course in introductory psychology (or animal behaviour) are recommended.
Centre: Centre for Psychology
PSYC 402 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Course website
Psychology 402 examines the relationship between the brain and behaviour. The course explores the biological basis of behaviour, learning, memory, language, and thinking, as well as disorders that arise from nervous system malfunctioning.
Unit 1: The Major Issues
Unit 2: Nerve Cells and Nerve Impulses
Unit 3: Communication at Synapses
Unit 4: Anatomy of the Nervous System
Unit 5: Development and Plasticity of the Brain
Unit 6: Vision
Unit 7: The Other Sensory Systems and Attention
Unit 8: Movement
Unit 9: Wakefulness and Sleep
Unit 10: Internal Regulation
Unit 11: Reproductive Behaviours
Unit 12: Emotional Behaviours
Unit 13: The Biology of Learning and Memory
Unit 14: Lateralization and Language
Unit 15: Psychological Disorders
To receive credit for PSYC 402, you must complete all of the course assignments, achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and at least “D” (50 per cent) for the course composite grade. The weighting of assignments is as follows:
5 Quizzes | Term Paper | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|
25% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Kalat, J. W. (2004). Biological Psychology (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
The course materials include a student manual, workbook, and a study guide.