512-222 Behavioural Neuroscience 2

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-120 and 512-121 (or equivalent).

Pre/corequisites

512-220 (or equivalent).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject provides students with an opportunity to study at an introductory level the relationship between brain mechanisms, perception and behaviour. This subject comprises two units:

Brain Mechanisms and Behaviour

Covers the neurobiological basis of psychological function and dysfunction. In the first half of the unit, brain development, neurons, neural circuits, neurotransmission, and the structuofunctional properties of selected brain regions will be discussed. Neurobiological principles will be illustrated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. The second half of this unit considers the relation between the higher level cognitive functions and their biological substrate. The techniques of neuroscientific research and what these techniques can reveal about psychological functioning will be discussed within an historical context. Human laterality will be used to gain a detailed insight into neuropsychological research.

Sensation and Perception

An introduction to sensation and perception, with an emphasis on the visual system as a model perceptual system. The unit will examine: functional properties of sensory systems (e.g. auditory system, colour vision); phenomenology of sensation and perception; psychophysical limits of perceptual systems; goals of sensory coding; evolution of sensory systems; and computational models of perception.

Assessment

A combination of laboratory reports and examinations, with the laboratory reports being weighted at least 40% of the total assessment.