Outline

Overview

This unit of study will focus on approaches to studying neurosciences incorporating molecular, pre-clinical and clinical models of brain function. These biological models of brain function will be linked with behavioural, affective and cognitive function and dysfunction. The implications of focal cognitive deficits in neurological patients for models of normal cognitive function will also be explored. Specific topics to be covered will be selected from the following areas: sensorimotor integration and the neural and molecular basis of learning and memory, attention, language, visual cognition and praxis. In addition to lectures, a practical component will cover basic neuroanatomy and neuroscientific methods. The practical component will also introduce students to experimental and neuropsychological approaches to studying the relationship between brain and behaviour.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	[6 credit points from (PSYC2X10 or PSYC2X11 or PSYC2X15)] and [6 credit points from (PSYC2012 or PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 or PSYC2016 or PSYC2017) or (NEUR2001 or MEDS2005)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PSYC3914
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tom Carlson, thomas.carlson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam See Canvas for details.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Participation See Canvas for details.	5%	Ongoing	See Canvas for details.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz 1 See Canvas for details.	5%	Week 04	See Canvas for details.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz 2 See Canvas for details.	5%	Week 07	See Canvas for details.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Report See Canvas for details.	30%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Oct 2025	See Canvas for details.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz 3 See Canvas for details.	5%	Week 13	See Canvas for details.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial Participation: Participation in tutorials and the associated learning activities and experiments. See Canvas for full details.

Research Report: The Research Report is based on an experiment we will run in the first tutorial. See Canvas for full details.

Quizzes: Each quiz is assessing the lecture and tutorial material
covered to that point. See Canvas for full details.

Final Exam: A two-hour closed book exam will be held after the teaching period ends. If you miss the Final Exam and are approved by Special Consideration, you will sit a Replacement Exam in the University's Replacement Exam period. The Final Exam is a compulsory assessment, so if you do not attempt it, you will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade, and it is also a hurdle assessment, so students will need to meet the required standard in order to pass the unit. See Canvas for more details.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
	Measuring the brain: direct approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
	Being a scientist	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Measuring the brain: indirect approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
	Rhythms in the brain	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neuroscience methods	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Sleep	Lecture (1 hr)
	The brain as an information processing system	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sleep tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	High Level Visual Processing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Visual Agnosias	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Episodic Memory and Amnesia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Neuropathologies and resting state brain activity	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Semantic Memory and Dementia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Simulating li’l Brains	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Social Neuroscience	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Illusions of the mind and body	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Neurobiology of learning and memory I & II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Neurobiology of learning and memory III	Lecture (1 hr)
	Movement and motor control	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neuroanatomy lab	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Basal ganglia	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neurodegenerative diseases	Lecture (1 hr)
	Neurodegenerative Diseases	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Neuropharmacology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Neuropharmacology & treatment of epilepsy + Debate	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Prediction & Dopamine	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

As noted in the Assessment table, the Final Exam is a compulsory assessment, so a student who does not attend it and is not approved to miss it will receive an Absent Fail (AF) grade.

Please note, marks for the Tutorial Participation assessment are achieved by attending tutorials, but there is no other consequence related to tutorial attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience.
LO2. develop an awareness of the applications of the theories and research findings in learning, memory, language, perception and action, computational modeling and sleep.
LO3. understand, apply and evaluate basic research methods in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, including design of laboratory and clinical research, data collection, analysis and interpretation, literature searches and review. Demonstrate an understanding of technologies used to study brain function and activity.
LO4. demonstrate critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to the neuroscientific bases of behaviour. Develop ability to identify and evaluate the purposes, research questions, data, perspectives, inferences, concepts, implications and assumptions associated with research presented during the course.
LO5. value empirical evidence; tolerate ambiguity during the search for greater understanding of behaviour and knowledge structures.
LO6. use information in an ethical manner, be able to recognise and promote ethical practice in research and clinical interventions and respect diversity associated with cognitive and neurological disorders.
LO7. demonstrate sound communication skills in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, including i) writing effectively in a variety of formats and for a variety of purposes; (ii) effective oral communication skills in various formats and for various purposes; (iii) collaborating effectively in a group to complete projects.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.1.1. the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social, 1.1.12. research methods and statistics. 1.1.2. individual differences in capacity, behaviour and personality 1.1.3. psychological health and well-being 1.1.4. psychological disorders and evidence-based interventions 1.1.5. learning and memory 1.1.6. cognition, language and perception 1.1.7. motivation and emotion 1.1.8. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour 1.1.9. lifespan developmental psychology
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.1.12. research methods and statistics. 1.1.3. psychological health and well-being 1.1.4. psychological disorders and evidence-based interventions 1.1.5. learning and memory 1.1.6. cognition, language and perception 1.1.7. motivation and emotion 1.1.8. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.1.12. research methods and statistics. 1.1.8. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour 1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats. 1.6. Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.1.12. research methods and statistics. 1.1.8. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour 1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats. 1.6. Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.4. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology. 1.6. Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.1.8. neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour 1.2. Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals. 1.4. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
	Australian Psychology Accreditation Council - 1.3. Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats. 1.5. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Writing lab added to support writing the research report. Discussion board opened on Canvas to facilitate dialogue.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PSYC3014: Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links