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 2026 in Summer A and Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Summer A, Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PSY2061
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After PSY2061
1 unit 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 will develop your knowledge of the biological foundations of human behaviour and psychological experiences. Building on first-year psychology, you will consolidate your understanding of nervous system structure and function, and how organisation and variations in these systems influence behaviour and psychological experiences. You will develop the skills to engage with key frameworks and research methods to critically analyse multiple lines of evidence to explain psychological function and experience, and contribute to respectful, evidence-based discussions around brain and mental health.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester A | Clayton | Online |
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Clayton | Online |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Research proposal and response to reviewer (2 parts; up to 2,750 words)Written50%
- Group podcast episode (Up to 20 mins & 250 words for episode description)Project30%
- Case study analysisWritten20%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
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 and psychological experiences.
- 2
Explain neural signalling processes of neurotransmitters and hormones.
- 3
Explain the hierarchical organisation of neural systems and relate these to systems of sensation, perception, action, cognition, emotion, and states of consciousness.
- 4
Differentiate and analyse how variations in nervous system function, neurochemistry, and structure interact within hierarchical systems that underpin behaviour and psychological experiences.
.
- 5
Critically evaluate research frameworks and methods in biological psychology, using evidence-based reasoning and feedback, and apply this to real-world contexts.
- 6
Develop proficiencies in respectful and destigmatising dialogue around brain and mental health conditions for a variety of audiences, through written and oral communication of current biopsychology topics.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures20 hours
- Seminars2 hours
- Tutorials20 hours
- Workshops2 hours
Students are expected to spend a total of 144 hours on this unit, which is equivalent to an average of 12 hours of study per week over the teaching weeks.
Teacher-directed learning (total = 44 hours)
Across the 12 teaching weeks, students will engage in the following contact hours per week:
Students will have either a lecture, a workshop, or a seminar:
- Lectures: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks (20 hours in total)
- Workshop: 1 × 2-hour workshop per week?
- Seminar: 1 × 2-hour seminar per week?
In addition, students will attend:
- Tutorials: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks (20 hours in total)
Regular attendance at tutorials, workshops, and seminars is strongly recommended, as active participation in these sessions is essential for developing the skills and understanding needed to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.
Self-directed learning (total = 100 hours)
Students are expected to undertake approximately 8 hours per week of self-directed study, including engagement with content related to and preparation for lectures, workshops, or seminars, together with preparation and development of assessment tasks.
Where it fits
PSY2061 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Dawei Zhang
- Elly Francis-Pester
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Beth Johnson
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 1 unit, including SWM3127.
When is PSY2061 offered?
In 2026, PSY2061 runs in Summer A and Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia, with an online option.
How much work is PSY2061?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
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.