Home Study - Biopsychology Advanced Course
Pre-requisite ‘Biopsychology I’
Duration: 100 Hours (you study at your own pace).
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into seven lessons as follows:
1.Evolution, genetics and experience
2. Research methods in biopsychology
3. Brain damage
4. Recovery from brain damage
5. Drug dependence and the brain
6. Memory
7. Language
WHAT YOU MAY DO IN THIS COURSE
Viewing behaviour as part genetic and part experiential.
Discuss how human behaviour is linked to evolution.
Explain how dominant traits are passed on to offspring by genetics.
Describe the relationship between gene expression and the genetic code.
Consider how studies of identical twins shed light on the development of differences among individuals?
Explain how CT and PET scans are used to obtain images of the brain.
Determine what invasive research methods have been employed to try and understand the brain and behaviour?
Consider how drugs are used to understand neurotransmitters and their effect on behaviour?
Explain how gene knockout and gene replacement techniques are used.
Outline methods of neuropsychological testing.
Determine how studying animal behaviour in the laboratory can be useful in understanding human behaviour.
List and define the most common causes of brain damage.
Explain the significance of neuron death.
Explain what happens during neural regeneration and neural degeneration?
Determine the function of slow and rapid neural reorganisation in the mammalian brain?
Determine the extent of neurotransplantation of replacement parts in the brain.
Explain the relationship between physical dependence on drugs and withdrawal syndrome.
The extent that neural mechanisms seemingly involved in addiction?
Determine what medial temporal lobe amnesia tell us about implicit and explicit memory?
Consider cerebral dominance through language lateralisation and left and right-handedness.
Consider evidence that suggests that the hemispheres of split-brain patients function independently.
Identify what we now know about lateralisation of function in the left and right hemispheres.
Evaluate the Wernicke-Geschwind model of cortical localisation of language.
Excessive stress for an extended period at first will cause unpleasant feelings, but in due course, it can cause physical damage to the body, fatigue, and in extreme situations, ultimately death. Excessive stress that causes physical damage has been called dystress (by Syle). The Greek prefix “dys” means bad. Dystress literally means “bad stress”. Some stress is both inevitable, and in some respects, desirable. Dystress (or distress), however, is not desirable.
There are damaging effects to the human body caused by constant stress. Changes in the physiological processes that alter resistance to disease (e.g. blood chemistry changes) and pathological changes (e.g. organ system break down and ulcers) are both manifestations of stress. The body’s defence mechanisms may be affected both directly and indirectly (by promoting behaviours that weaken these mechanisms or that lead to exposure to pathogens).
Modern humans with their new technology, do less physical work, stimulate themselves when tired (television, food, alcohol), and eat when they are not hungry, etc. This actually goes against all natural feelings "signals from the brain". Humans are actually depriving themselves, and this is a major psychosocial cause of stress. Another psychosocial cause of stress is "adaption" overload where people are being faced by constant or rapid change whether it be social, cultural, technological, etc.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
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What learning method should I choose?
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How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
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If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
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Who is ACS Distance Education?
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