Mind, Brain and Behaviour A (PSYC10006)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
| Availability | July - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Mind, Brain & Behaviour A (MBBA) is a 12.5-point subject equivalent to PSYC10003 Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1. It is taught entirely online in an intensive format in the first six weeks of semester 2. It can be taken in conjunction with Mind, Brain & Behaviour B (MBBB) which is a 12.5-point subject equivalent to PSYC10004 Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2 that is taught entirely online in an intensive format in the second half of semester 2. MBBA and MBBB can be taken together in succession within the same semester. Doing so would allow a student to enter the Psychology Major mid-year and complete all the first-year requirements of the major within semester 2. Alternatively, students can complete all the first-year requirements of the Psychology Major by taking MBBA then PSYC10004 Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2. Students may not take both MBBA and PSYC10003 Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1 as these subjects cover the same content.
The purpose of MBBA is to provide an introduction to psychology. It describes how we sense and perceive our world to construct our own internal psychological experience. It explores how we learn, think, remember, and operate within our constructed worlds and it describes the neural mechanisms that underpin these psychological processes and experiences.
It covers the following three topic areas: Sensation and Perception; Learning and Cognition; and Behavioural Neuroscience. Students are given the opportunity to develop and apply a range of fundamental skills in areas of critical thinking, psychological research methods, and communication of psychological knowledge. The subject is designed to raise significant questions, prompting students to think about their own individual experiences and the experience of others.
Students are introduced to the tools used in psychology to find answers to these questions. A common research-centred framework is adopted, and the methodological and statistical tools that support this framework are introduced and developed as an integral part of the subject.
Although the online modules for this subject will be released all at once, they are designed to be studied in a progressive fashion and students will be encouraged to work through them at a constant rate, in sync with the weekly e-tutorials. Weekly quizzes will help ensure that students stay up-to-date with the modules and on track to achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Knowledge
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- List cognitive processes of learning and memory;
- Recall the mechanisms underpinning human sensation and perception;
- Describe the fundamental principles of behavioural neuroscience, including the structure and function of the nervous system;
- Discuss psychological research methods, including ethical considerations;
- Discuss psychologically informed approaches to maintaining wellbeing and mental health in the context of tertiary study.
Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Describe, utilise and illustrate psychological research methods and data analysis;
- Demonstrate argument formation and logical reasoning in relation to psychological theories;
- Discuss and critically evaluate psychological literature;
- Write research project proposals;
- Use, evaluate and analyse scientific methodology and enquiry;
- Maintain wellbeing in the context of tertiary study.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate psychological literature and utilise research design and data analysis skills to communicate the outcomes of a psychological investigation;
Generic skills
- Give and receive constructive feedback;
- Work effectively in teams to achieve desired outcomes;
- Promote and maintain the wellbeing of self and others;
- Apply research and analytical skills to investigate and evaluate new issues;
- Communicate the findings of empirical studies in written reports for a scientific readership
Last updated: 12 May 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC10003 | Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PSYC90097 | Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1 | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 May 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Online hurdle module
| From Week 2 to Week 5 | N/A |
Written Assignment
| From Week 6 to Week 8 | 40% |
Online quizzes: These will occur weekly, each one comprising 20 multiple option questions.
| From Week 1 to Week 6 | 50% |
Contribution to online discussion as demonstrated by discussions in Perusall and on the online discussion board
| From Week 1 to Week 6 | 5% |
Participation in up to 5 hours of research activities as detailed at https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/research/research-experience-program with 1% awarded for each hour of participation. Students will be allowed to do all 5 hours online.
| From Week 1 to Week 6 | 5% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: Attendance of at least 80% of the tutorials. In case of failure to meet the attendance requirement, additional work related to the missed class activities (e.g., an essay whose length is 500 words for each tutorial missed) will be required before a passing grade can be awarded. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 12 May 2024
Dates & times
- July - Online
Principal coordinator Piers Howe Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 2 September 2022 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2022 Census date 5 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 August 2022 Assessment period ends 16 September 2022 July contact information
Last updated: 12 May 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Eysenck, M.W. (2009) Fundamentals of Psychology. Hove, Sussex, UK: Psychology Press/Palgrave Macmillan
Ranzijn, R., McConnochie, K. & Nolan W. (2009) Psychology and indigenous Australians: Foundations of cultural competence. Palgrave Macmillan
Smyth, T.R. (2004) The Principles of Writing in Psychology Basingstoke, Hampshie, UK: Palgrave Macmillan
Gravetter, F.J. & Wallnau L.B. (2009) Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences (7th ed.). Belmont CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning
Gravetter, F.J. & Forzano, L-A.B. (2010) Research Methods for the Behavioural Sciences (custom publication of the complete book). Belmont CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Arts Course Graduate Diploma in Psychology Course Bachelor of Biomedicine - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 12 May 2024