Keele University Prospectus Undergraduate | 2016 | Page 206

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology and Neuroscience
Psychology and Neuroscience offers the opportunity to
gain a fuller understanding of the human condition than
could be obtained from either subject studied alone. It
is extremely popular with those who wish to understand
the relationship between the mind and the brain. You
will learn about the biological bases of human behaviour,
alongside developing an understanding of behaviour
in a social environment, and the internal processes
underpinning cognition. Your studies will include the
modern science of genetics, which defines the limits
within which the human body and brain develop.
You will find out how individual nerve cells within the
nervous system work to produce emergent properties
of perception, learning and consciousness, and this will
complement your understanding of these topics from a
psychological perspective.
Psychology is a large and varied discipline concerned
with the systematic investigation of mind and behaviour.
Psychology is one of the longest established academic
disciplines at Keele University, and the School of
Psychology is lively and dynamic, with research active
academic staff providing teaching and research
expertise across a range of specialised topics. We
have laboratory space for experimental research in
the areas of cognition, perception, health, social and
developmental psychology. In addition, we have access
to facilities in local settings arising from many active links
and collaborations, especially in social, health, clinical
and educational psychology.
Neuroscience at Keele is a contemporary and
multidisciplinary course covering the structure and
function of the nervous system, the action of drugs,
and the molecular biology of neurological diseases
and disorders. Modern neuroscience is not an isolated
speciality; instead it integrates information from
biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, pathology,
psychology and psychiatry to address the normal and
abnormal functioning of the nervous system. The course
offers a balance between molecular and cellular aspects
of the subject and systems and clinical neuroscience.

Course content
First year
Core modules:

Individuals in Society introduces psychological theories
and concepts in three different areas: child development,
social psychology and the study of individual differences.
Research Methods 1 introduces the range of research
methods used in psychology, and focuses on developing
an introductory understanding of data collection and
analysis.
Biological and Cognitive Psychology introduces
fundamental mechanisms and ideas in psychology
by looking at perception, memory, learning and the
biological basis of human behaviour.
Research Methods 2 extends the work done in the
first module on research perspectives and develops
understanding of more advanced techniques of
data analysis.
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Introduction to Neuroscience explores key concepts
of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and introduces the
sensory and motor systems.
Students will also be able to choose from a range of
elective modules, including: Understanding Self and
Others and Distress and Mental Health.
Second year
Developmental and Social Psychology extends and
builds on the material taught in the first year. You will
study more detailed and specific accounts of research
and theories in developmental and social psychology.
Survey and Qualitative Research Methods elaborates
upon the material taught in the first year, particularly
in relation to the design and analysis of questionnaires,
observational methods and qualitative research
methods. Data from interviews, observations, and
conversations lend themselves to qualitative analysis.
Biological Psychology, Perception and Cognition
extends and builds upon the material taught in the first
year. You will gain more detailed knowledge of recent
and current issues in biological basis of behaviour,
perception and low level cognitive processes.
Cognitive and Biological Research Methods further
extends and builds on the material taught in the
first year modules on research perspectives and
quantitative methods. Topics studied include: factorial
experimental designs, analysis of variance, the analysis
of interactions and an introduction to research methods
in neuropsychology and psychobiology.
Neuroscience Research Methods covers a range of
fundamental practical neuroscience research techniques
and provides you with key skills such as the use of
databases and statistical tools in research.
Students will be able to choose from a range of elective
modules, including:
• Community Psychology: Theoretical and research
perspectives;
• Community Psychology: Placement (optional
supervised attachment to a charitable or statutory
sector organisation)
• Psychopathology
• The Psychology of Advertising
Third year
Core modules:
• Final Year Project (double module)
• Individual differences and Conceptual Issues
• Key Readings in Cognitive Psychology
• Contemporary Research in Social Psychology
You will study a selection of elective modules.
Examples include:
• Psychobiology
• Current Perspectives in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Psychology of Memory
• Making a Difference with Psychology