PYMCCBP-Cognitive and Biological Psychology (Conversion)

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available to students on the MSc Psychology Conversion programme.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Lydia Yee
Email: t.yee@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores core contemporary topics in biopsychology and cognition, including perception and neuroscience. Each topic will be covered from a biological, to cognitive, to behavioural perspective. This module also acknowledges the historical developments in these perspectives. Topics may include, attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, pain, cognitive control, emotion and motivation, judgement and decision-making, problem solving and creativity, memory and skills. As part of this module, students will conduct and write-up a research project designed to link with one of the topics covered. This module is delivered at the University of Reading.

Aims:

The aims of this module are for students to gain an understanding and critical appreciation of theory and research into how we sense and perceive the world, and different aspects of thinking and higher-level cognition. This module aims for students to integrate information from different perspectives (biological and cognitive) and to understand their links with behaviour. Importantly, this module aims for students to be able to critically evaluate and compare experiments and theories on the topics covered. In addition, using knowledge acquired in the module, students will conduct a quantitative research project to investigate a particular hypothesis. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to: 

• Describe and critically evaluate research on core topics in perception and cognition 


• Use knowledge of biopsychology and neuroscience to evaluate research and theories 


• Succinctly report findings from a quantitative project 


• Review relevant literature 


• Develop accurate hypotheses 


• Clearly describe methods 


• Use descriptive and inferential statistics to report findings 


• Summarise the results 


• Discuss the results with reference to previous literature 

Additional outcomes:

• Help design and conduct an experimental research project on one of the topics covered 


• Work effectively within a group; Listening; Explaining; Planning; Problem solving 


• Creativity; Written and oral communication; Reading effectiveness; Information retrieval; Critical analysis 


• Numeracy; Data handling & analysis; Computer literacy 


• Self-management; Prioritisation 


• Appreciation of research ethics 

Outline content:

This module provides a detailed exploration of topics in cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on their empirical and theoretical intersection. Each topic will be examined from a biological, cognitive and behavioural perspective. Topics covered may include: attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, emotion and motivation, pain, cognitive control and flexibility, judgement and decision-making, problem solving and creativity, memory, skills and habits. 

Global context:

This module will consider the global context of the research and its approaches, with an aim to improve students’ understanding of how biopsychology and cognition can be context-bound.?Internationally-relevant examples will be used to illustrate international similarities and differences within the fields. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is taught via 10 lectures, each followed by a one-hour seminar, and supported by recommended reading.

• Teaching methods include the following:


• Lectures on cognitive and biological psychology


• Seminars to support these lectures


• CBP project workshops, consisting of 6 sessions


• Recommended reading

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		10
Project Supervision		13
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		57
Wider reading (directed)		30
Exam revision/preparation		15	15
Preparation for seminars		20
Carry-out research project		20
Total hours by term	0	185	15
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

An end of year short answer question (SAQ) exam (50%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One quantitative, individually written CBP project report (50%).

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be given formative feedback on the results section of their CBP project report. 

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment is by re-assessment/examination of failed summative assessment(s).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: None

2) Specialist equipment or materials: None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None

4) Printing and binding: None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 30 March 2023