6 ECTS credits
180 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1002893AEW for working students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
NOTE: registration for this course is only possible for working students. Day students can register for courses whose code ends with an R. At Inschrijven / studentenadministratie@vub.be you must be registered at the VUB as a working student for the current academic year.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
Department
Experimental and Applied Psychology
Educational team
Kris Baetens (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
39 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Biological pschyology refers to the study of the biological basis of behaviour. This entails both the physiology of behaviour and an evolutionary perspective on the structure and functions of the nervous system and psyche.

This introductory course contains an oververview of (1) micro and macro structures of the nervous system, (2) the most important basic physiological mechenisms in the nervous system, (3) a general overview of the research methods in biological psychology and (4) a brief introduction to an evolutionary perspective on human behaviour.

For a detailed description of course content: see Canvas.

 

Course material
Handbook (Required) : Physiology of Behavior, Neil Carlson & Melissa Birkett, 13de, Pearson, 9781292430287, 2023
Digital course material (Required) : Powerpoints
Handbook (Recommended) : Fitzgerald's Clinical Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience, Estomih Mtui, Gregory Gruener & Peter Dockery, 8e, Elsevier, 9780702079092, 2021
Additional info

Study guidance via Canvas forum.

Working methods:

  • 39h LEC– for working students, recordings of the collective classes are provided, in addition to an online Q&A.
  • 13h SELF: Students get additional self study assignments to deepen their understanding of the course materials.
Learning Outcomes

General competencies

De student can demonstrate the importance of the biological basis of behaviour for psychology.

The student can illustrate the influence of evolutionary processes on the structure and function of the nervous system.

The student can name the cardinal functions of the most important macro structures of the nervous system from a psychological point of view.

The student can list the cardinal connection of the most important macro structures of the nervous system from a psychological point of view.

The student can designate the cardinal functions of the most important macro structures of the nervous system from a psychological point of view on anatomical images.

The student can explain the fundamental principles of communication within and between cells of the nervous system.

The student can list  the strengths, weaknesses and basic applications of the most important research methods in biological psychology.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written exam with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Multiple choice exam with higher pass mark

Additional info regarding evaluation

100% written exam

The multiple-choice exam will be graded by positive scoring with Higher Pass Mark. No points will be deducted for a wrong answer. On the other hand, getting points by guessing is calculated in the end point by increasing the pass limit (= cut-off score). The cut-off score for the exam and the exact conversion table will be communicated in a timely manner on Canvas and in the exam instructions. The exam strategy is simple because of this method: Do your best on the entire exam, answer questions you don't know or partially know to the best of your ability, without worrying about possible deduction of points.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Psychology: Traject van 90 studiepunten met Profiel Arbeids- en Organisatiepsychologie (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical Psychology (only offered in Dutch)