An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care , Psychology and Counselling and Science.

What do biologists and psychologists understand by the concepts of brain and consciousness? How do we study the brain, its structure and development? What is schizophrenia? This course presents an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the brain and to the behavioural and psychological sciences. It focuses on humans, and where possible considers implications for human health of factors affecting behaviour and the nervous system. Much of our understanding of the nervous system derives from animal research, so this is also described. The emphasis is on observation and experiment, and you’ll carry out some investigations yourself.

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What you will study

You will learn how to formulate hypotheses; plan and carry out investigations; and manipulate the resulting data. You will also be expected to carry out an investigation of your own. The course develops your written presentation skills, and your ability to understand and interpret current findings in biological psychology.

The course will enable you to:

• acquire a core of basic knowledge concerning neuroscience and biological perspectives on psychology, which will allow you to proceed to a detailed interdisciplinary study of important topics in this area
• appreciate the implications for human health of factors affecting behaviour and the nervous system, and how the study of disease has helped in the study of normal physiological and psychological phenomena
• understand the conceptual context of the study of the brain and behavioural sciences
• integrate information from a variety of sources
• plan, conduct, analyse and report biological investigations
• develop skills in scientific communication, handling data and retrieving information.

The course is presented in six books, some accompanied by CD material. A Study Guide and Glossary provides guidance on studying the study materials.

Book 1 From Cells to Consciousness begins with an introduction to the course, explaining both its approach and its scope. This leads into an examination of nervous systems, in particular the human nervous system, its organisation and the various different types of cell within it. There is then a discussion of the phenomenon of consciousness.

Book 2 Beyond Reasonable Doubt is a guide to designing experiments in the behavioural sciences. More specifically, it provides a background to the experiments that are undertaken in the investigative strand of the course.

Book 3 Exploring the Brain starts with some basic cell biology. It then proceeds with a survey of the many techniques used to study nervous systems and the brain. It ends with a study of how genes and the environment, nature and nurture, work together in the development of the human nervous system, in particular during the period from conception to birth, to make each of us unique.

Book 4 From Neurons to Behaviour begins by examining how the cells in the nervous system communicate with each other; and how networks of such cells receive, process and communicate information. This leads in to an examination of how information is processed in the human nervous system and in the control of movement.

Book 5 Learning and Language is in two parts. The first is an examination of the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. This includes a discussion of how both are affected by the external and the internal environment. The second part of the book addresses the linked topics of hearing, speech and language.

Book 6 Emotions and Mind begins with a discussion of the topics of motivation and emotion: what are they and what is their neurobiological basis? This leads on to a study of schizophrenia; its biology, its causes, and its treatment. The course ends with a brief return to the phenomenon of consciousness, which was first discussed in Book 1.

Entry

This is a Level 2 course and to study it successfully you need to have the study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, obtained either through Level 1 study with the OU, or by doing equivalent work at another university. We strongly advise you to study one of our key introductory Level 1 courses, such as Exploring science (S104) or Introducing the social sciences (DD101) before progressing to Level 2 study.

As this is an interdisciplinary course, it is likely to present a challenge to all its students. The first half of the course is more 'biological' while the second half is more 'psychological'. Students from a non-science background may find the biological content of the course demanding, while those from a science background may find the psychological approach unfamiliar.

It is not essential to have a scientific background to study this course, although clearly some knowledge of basic biology would be very useful. 

You are also strongly recommended not to start your Level 2 study with this course. It would be helpful to have studied another Level 2 course first such as Exploring psychology (DSE212), Child development (ED209), Human biology (SK277) or Biology: uniformity and diversity (S204).

It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For SD226? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed as an interactive program for PC or printed as a PDF from the Science Faculty website. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Preparatory work

SD226 requires students to interpret diagrams, graphs and tables, analyse and present data in an appropriate way, and write accounts and experimental reports. Students who feel they may not have the necessary study skills are strongly advised to read relevant sections in The Sciences Good Study Guide (1997) by A. Northedge, J. Thomas, A. Lane and A. Peasgood before they start the course.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

The printed study material is available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. It has not been possible to describe the diagrams contained in the books in audio, but some figure descriptions are available in MS Word format on the website. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the study material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific materials, diagrammatic or foreign language material may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The printed study materials are also available in a comb-bound format. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.

This course includes significant use of a personal computer including the study of a number of interactive activities on CD-ROMs which are essential to the course and some disabled students may require the support of an assistant to complete these. The course also includes use of a website and tools such as online conferencing. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.

Study materials

What's included

Course books, study text and other printed materials, CD-ROMs, a website.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
• A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
• If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

The end-of-module assignment (EMA) that takes the place of an examination must be submitted online.

Professional recognition

This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. Download Recognition leaflets 3.1 British Psychological Society and 3.8 Scientific Institutions for more information.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013 when it will be available for the last time.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Child development (ED209)
• Cognitive psychology (DD303)
• Social psychology: critical perspectives on self and others (DD307)
• Exploring psychology (DSE212)
• Exploring psychology project (DXR222)

How to register

We regret that we are currently unable to accept registrations for this course. Where the course is to be presented again in the future, relevant registration information will be displayed on this page as soon as it becomes available.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information read Distance learning explained.

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