Course

Biological Bases of Behaviour

Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Course code
PSYC 2315
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course will introduce the student both to the variety of biological approaches to understanding behaviour, and to the research techniques used. After an introduction to basic neuroanatomy and physiology and to the development and evolution of brain structure and function, various topics in biological psychology will be surveyed. These will include the communication and coding functions of nerve cells; the psychobiology of: development and aging, movement, learning and memory, and internal motivational emotional states; the biological approaches to mental illness; and the behavioural effects of drugs, hormones, and brain damage.
Course content
  1. Issues and Principles of Biological Psychology.
  2. Development and Evolution of the Brain.
  3. Communication Function of Nerve Cells.
  4. Anatomy of the Nervous System and Methods of its Investigation.
  5. Coding Function of Nerve Cells: Sensory Systems.
  6. Movement.
  7. Sleep and Wakefulness.
  8. Regulation of Internal Motivational and Emotional States: Temperature, Thirst, Hunger, Sexual and Emotional Behaviour.
  9. Learning and Memory.
  10. Biological Approaches to Mental Illness.
  11. Behavioural Effects of Drugs, Hormones, and Brain Damage.
  12. Effects of Genetics and of Developmental Experiences on Various Structures and Functions.
Learning activities

This course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives and will include some of the following:

  • Lectures
  • Seminar presentations
  • Audio visual presentations
  • Small group discussions
  • Research projects
  • Research papers
  • Laboratory demonstrations
Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be in accordance with Douglas College and Psychology Department policies. Evaluations will be based on the course objectives. The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

 

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

 

In-class exams (4)  70%
Term paper or project      20%
Student presentation  10%
Total 100%
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:

  1. Describe and explain the global issues and principles of biological psychology.
  2. Describe research methods used to study brain and behaviour.
  3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of brain anatomy and function by being able to identify and/or define terms, concepts and structures.
  4. Describe and explain the development and evolution of brain structure and function.
  5. Describe and explain the communication and coding functions of nerve cells.
  6. Identify and define terms, concepts and theories related to the psychophysiology of: development and aging, movement, learning and memory, and internal motivational and emotional states.
  7. Describe the biological approaches to mental illness and the behavioural effects of drugs, hormones, and brain damage.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:

Textbook(s) such as the following, the list to be updated periodically:

  • Kalat, J.W. Biological psychology (current edition). Belmont, CA., Nelson/Cengage.
  • Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I.Q. Introduction to brain and behaviour (current edition). MacMillan/Worth.

Selected readings may also be assigned by the instructor.

Requisites

Prerequisites

PSYC 1100 AND PSYC 1200

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses

Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for PSYC 2315
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO PSYC 215 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU PSYC 225 (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) CMTN PSYC 2XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU PSYC 2315 (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG PSYC 2331 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC PSYC 230 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU PSYC 280 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU PSYC 2040 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU PSYC 254 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO PSYO_O 230 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV PSYC_V 2nd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC PSYC 221 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV PSYC 280 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) DOUG PSYC 2315 (3) & DOUG PSYC 2360 (3) = UVIC PSYC 251 (1.5) & UVIC PSYC 2XX (1.5)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC PSYC 2XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC PSYC 2XXX (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU PSYC 205 (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
24
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D1024
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
34
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
12
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1714
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20