Course

Unit 1

Foundations of Biological Psychology and Neuroscience

Definition, history, and scope of biological psychology. Relationship between biology and behaviour. Psychophysiological and neuroscientific methods: EEG, FMRI, PET, TMS, lesion studies. Ethical issues in neuroscience and behavioural research. Interactive tutorials on virtual EEG and FMRI simulations to visualise brain activity in response to stimuli.

Unit 2

Nervous System and Signal Transmission

Organisation of the central and peripheral nervous system. Structure and functions of neurons and glial cells. Synaptic transmission and neurochemical processes. Neurotransmitters: Types, pathways, and behavioural implications. Blood–Brain Barrier. Introduction to pharmacology: drug actions, agonists, antagonists. Use of online neural network simulators to understand action potentials and synaptic transmission.

Unit 3

Genetics and Neuroendocrinology

Basic principles of genetics and heredity. Behavioural genetics: twin studies, gene-environment interaction. Epigenetics and its impact on behaviour. The endocrine system and hormonal regulation. Neuroendocrine responses to stress and development. Virtual labs to explore gene expression effects on behaviour and interactive hormone response simulations.

Unit 4

Sensory and Motor Systems

Physiology of sensory systems: visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory systems. Sensory integration and perception. Structure and function of the motor system. Neural control of voluntary and involuntary movement. Online sensory-motor simulation exercises for visual, auditory, and motor coordination tasks.

Unit 5

Biological Bases of Normal and Abnormal Development and Behaviour

Neural plasticity and brain development across the lifespan. Biological factors in developmental disorders. Neurobiological basis of mood disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Interaction of biological and social networks in shaping behaviour. Application of biological psychology to mental health and well-being. Use of beginner-friendly data visualisation tools to analyse real-world psychophysiological datasets

Text Books / References

Textbooks

1. Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (2020). Neuroscience: Exploring the brain (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Breedlove, S. M., Watson, N. V., & Rosenzweig, M. R. (2016). Biological psychology: An introduction to behavioural, cognitive, and clinical neuroscience (7th ed.). Sinauer Associates.
3. Carlson, N. R., & Birkett, M. A. (2021). Physiology of behaviour (13th ed.). Pearson.
4. Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2018). Brain & behaviour: An introduction to behavioural neuroscience (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
5. Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2018). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind (5th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.

References

1. Kalat, J. W. (2018). Biological psychology (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
2. Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., Jessell, T. M., Siegelbaum, S. A., & Hudspeth, A. J. (2013). Principles of neural science (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
3. LeDoux, J. E. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. Simon & Schuster.

This course offers a foundational understanding of Biological Psychologyan interdisciplinary field that explores how biological processes influence behaviours, emotions, and cognitive functions. The course introduces students to the structure and function of the nervous system, neurochemical transmission, physiological regulation, genetics, and sensory-motor systems. Emphasis will be placed on psychophysiological and neuroscientific methods, as well as ethical standards in neuroscience research. Students will learn to observe and describe normal and abnormal behaviour through biological perspectives and to appreciate the interplay of biology and environment in shaping development across the lifespan. Students will also gain hands-on exposure to beginner-friendly technology tools such as virtual brain atlases, online neurophysiology simulations, and software for visualising neural activity, enabling interactive learning of biological processes.

Course Objectives

• To introduce the fundamental concepts and scope of biological psychology and neuroscience.
• To develop an understanding of the nervous system and its role in behavioural regulation.
• To explore the neurochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying behaviour.
• To provide insights into the genetic and neuroendocrine influences on normal and abnormal development.
• To examine the ethical standards and methods used in biological and neuroscientific research.
• To familiarise students with beginner-level technological tools to simulate neural activity, visualise brain structures, and analyse psychophysiological data.

Course Outcomes

• CO1: Identify and describe the basic structure and functioning of the nervous system.
• CO2: Explain how synaptic transmission and neurochemical processes affect human behaviour.
• CO3: Understand the principles of behavioural genetics and neuroendocrinology in explaining developmental trajectories.
• CO4: Evaluate the physiological foundations of sensory and motor systems.
• CO5: Apply biological perspectives to interpret both normal and abnormal human behaviours across the lifespan.

CO-PO Mapping