PSY2061 Biological psychology
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PSY2061 Biological psychology is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2025 in Summer A and Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Summer A, Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PSY2061
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After PSY2061
2 units list PSY2061 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Must have passed PSY1011 and 1 of (PSY1022 or PSY1023)
Prohibitions: PSY2031, PSY2051
Overview
This unit is aimed at developing your knowledge of psychological functions and mental disorders by examining physiological and neural processes underlying human behaviour. Building on first-year psychology, you will consolidate your knowledge of the structures and functions of the nervous system.
You will build understanding of the organisation of the neural systems and circuits that underlie movement and cognition. You will become familiar with current scientific thinking and outstanding questions about common mental disorders (psychiatric, neurodegenerative, etc.). You will develop analytical and research skills enabling you to evaluate neuroscience claims in the popular media, empowering you as citizen scientist to promote well-founded neuroscience news stories, and refute frivolous claims.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester A | Clayton | Online |
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Clayton | Online |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Case studyWritten20%
- Research report and response to reviewerWritten50%
- Group podcast episode (Up to 20 mins & 250 words for description)Artefact30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Recognise the major structures of the nervous system and describe the roles these structures play in behaviour
- 2
Explain neural signalling processes of neurotransmitters and hormones.
- 3
Summarise how neurons and neural systems relate to sensation, perception, cognition, movement, emotion, and sleep.
- 4
Develop proficiencies in written and oral communication of current topics and trends in biopsychology for a variety of audiences.
- 5
Critically review relevant and reliable scientific literature related to a specific research topic or current trend within biopsychology.
- 6
Differentiate the functional, neurochemical and/or structural alterations of the nervous systems related to major substance, neurological, and psychiatric disorders.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials19 hours
- Lectures24 hours
One hour unit induction tutorial in week 1.
Two hours of lectures weekly.
Two hours of tutorials 9 times per semester.
Preparation: 8 hours background reading/preparation for lectures, tutorials and assessment tasks per week.
Attendance at tutorials is recommended in order to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.
Where it fits
PSY2061 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Swati Mujumdar
- Dr Beth Johnson
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Dawei Zhang
- Elly Francis-Pester
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PSY2061?
PSY2061 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PSY2061?
PSY2061 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including PSY3041 and SWM3127.
When is PSY2061 offered?
In 2025, PSY2061 runs in Summer A and Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia, with an online option.
Does PSY2061 have an exam?
No. PSY2061 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include PSY2061?
PSY2061 is part of Behavioural commerce and Psychology.