COURSE TITLE: PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY COURSE CODE: PSY1716

COURSE LEADER: Email:

Mob No.:
VENUE: A1 BLOCK COURSE STRUCTURE: L T P C
51 0 6
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

The course will introduce the students to:

1. Physiological basis of human behaviour and concepts, function and

structure of the Nervous and Neuroendocrine System.
2. History and development of functional brain mapping systems;
Pharmacological drugs classification in treatment of mental disorders.
3. Gain knowledge about neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and the
significance of sleep, deprivation of sleep.
4. the importance of hormones in behaviour, cognition and emotions
CODE COURSE OUTCOMES
On completion of the course students will be able to:
CO explore the nature, scope, and ethics of physiological
PSY1716.1 psychology.
CO outline the organization and mechanism of the central nervous
PSY1716.2 system, peripheral system and endocrine system
CO identify the tools and techniques for functional brain mapping
PSY1716.3
CO critically evaluate the principles of psychopharmacology and impact of
PSY1716.4 drugs on neurotransmitters
CO Apply the fundamental aspects of neurophysiology to the production of
PSY1716.5 simple and complex behaviour.
COURSE TOTAL HOURS: 54-60 Lectures
CONTENT/SY
LLABUS

Unit 1: Origins of Physiological Psychology 8 - 10 Lecture

Hours
Introduction to Physiological Psychology: Understanding Basic Terms; Nature and scope.
Relating Brain and Behavior. Methods and Ethics in Physiological Research. Historical Roots
of Physiological Psychology.

Unit 2: Structure and Functions of Cells of the Nervous System 12-14 Lecture
Hours
Cells of the Nervous System: Structure and functions of neurons. Communication
within Neuron; The Membrane Potential, The Action Potential; The Concept of
Chemical Transmission; Structure of Synapses; Postsynaptic Potentials.
Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators: Acetylcholine, The Monoamines, Amino
Acids, Peptides, Lipids, Nucleosides, Soluble Gases. Functional abnormalities of
neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin hypothesis

Unit 3: Organization of Nervous System and Endocrine System 14-18 Lecture

Hours
The Central Nervous System: The Forebrain, The Midbrain, The Hindbrain, The Spinal Cord.
The Peripheral Nervous System: Spinal Nerves, Cranial Nerves. Endocrine System and
Functions of major glands: Hypothalamus, Pituitary and Pineal, Thymus, Thyroid, Adrenal,
Pancreas, Gonads; Impact of Hormonal Imbalance on behavior.

Unit 4: Human Brain Mapping and Psychopharmacology 12 - 14 Lecture

Hours
Brief history of Brain Diagnostic Radiology- advancements in the field of science and
technology- EEG, ERP, PET, SPECT, MRI, fMRI. Principles of Psychopharmacology,
Pharmacokinetics, Major classes of drugs used in treating mental illnesses and their
mechanism of action.

Relationship between the Course Outcomes (COs) and Program Outcomes (POs)
Mapping between COs and Pos
Mapped
Course Outcomes (COs) Programme
Outcomes
explore the nature, scope, and ethics of physiological
CO1 PO1
psychology.
explaining the anatomical structure and function of the
CO2 PO1
Human Nervous System.
outline the organization and mechanism of the central
CO3 nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and PO2
endocrine system
identify the tools and techniques for functional brain
CO4 mapping PO6, PO11
Critically evaluate the principles of psychopharmacology
CO5 and impact of drugs on neurotransmitters PO11
 S.
No.
CO.5
CO.4
CO.3
CO.2
CO.1
CO Code

(Average)

yyyy
Overall CO’s

Date

1. dd/mm/
Understand the evolution of

2
2
2
PO1
Psychology as a scientific
discipline.

L
(L/T)
1
Apply the fundamentals of

PO2
Psychology to different fields.

Tutorial
CO-PO MAPPING MATRIX

Lecture/
Level of Mapping/correlation
Develop the understanding of the

PO3
application Psychology

1-Indicate-Lowest Correlation
throughoutofthe life span.

3- Indicates Highest Correlation

Identify clinical and therapeutic

2-Indicates Moderate Correlation

PO4
applications of Psychology.
Developing and understanding of

PO5
Socio-Cultural context & being
mindful
traditions.
of Indigenous Traditions.
Demonstrate knowledge of

2
PO6

psychology
diverse Psychological tools of

COURSE PLAN (LECTURE/TUTORIAL/PRACTICAL)

assessment.
Adopt values that contribute to

Topics / Sub- Topics

PO7
community

Introduction to physiological
global levels.building at local &
Develop Analytical skills and
PO8

Research
Psychology.orientation in
Demonstrating skills of
PO9

Course
communication,
work
effective negotiation, team
& presentation.

Outcomes
(Learning)
Apply and adopt best
PO10

COPSY1716.1
Professional & Ethical practices.
Gain insight into inter-
1
2
1

An
PO11

disciplinary exposure &

environmental studies.
Create an attitude of life-long

Kolb, B. &

Q. (2013).
PO12

Behaviour.
Whishaw, I.
learning.

to Brain and
Introduction
Pre-Reading
 New York:
Worth
Publishers.
2. L Basic concepts of biology COPSY1716.2 Selected
relating to psychology readings will
be provided
3. L Terms and terminology in COPSY1716.1 Selected
physiological psychology readings will
be provided
4. L Nature and scope of COPSY1716.3 Selected
physiological psychology readings will
be provided
5. T Evolution of biological COPSY1716.2 Selected
psychology readings will
be provided
6. L Relating brain and behaviour COPSY1716.1 Selected
readings will
be provided
7. L Historical roots of COPSY1716.2 Selected
physiological psychology readings will
be provided
8. L Historical roots of COPSY1716.4 Selected
physiological psychology readings will
be provided
9. T Methods of research COPSY1716.3 Selected
readings will
be provided
10. L Methods of research, Ethics in COPSY1716.4 Selected
physiological research readings will
be provided
11. L Structure of the nervous COPSY1716.2 Selected
system- Introduction and readings will
Basic terms be provided
12. T Human nervous system- COPSY1716.3 Selected
overview readings will
be provided
13. L Cells of the nervous system COPSY1716.2 Selected
readings will
be provided
14. L Communication within the COPSY1716.2 Selected
neuron, synapses readings will
be provided
15. L Action potential , membrane COPSY1716.2 Selected
potential- chemical readings will
transmission be provided
16. L Neurotransmitters – COPSY1716.2 Selected
introduction and basic readings will
concepts be provided
17. T Neurotransmitters and COPSY1716.3 Selected
 neuromodulators readings will
be provided
18. L Neuromodulators COPSY1716.2 Selected
and chemical readings will
substances in the be provided
nervous system
19. L Functional abnormalities of COPSY1716.1 Selected
neurotransmitters readings will
be provided
20. T Dopamine and serotonin COPSY1716.1 Selected
hypothesis- implications readings will
be provided
21. L The central nervous system- COPSY1716.1 Selected
introduction and basics readings will
be provided
22. L Forebrain- structure and COPSY1716.1 Selected
functions readings will
be provided
23. L Mid brain- structure and COPSY1716.1 Selected
functions readings will
be provided
24. T Hindbrain- structure and COPSY1716.1 Selected
functions readings will
be provided
25. L Spinal cord- structure and COPSY1716.4 Selected
functions readings will
be provided
26. L Peripheral nervous system- COPSY1716.2 Selected
spinal nerves, cranial nerves readings will
be provided
27. L Endocrine Glands- COPSY1716.2 Selected
introduction and basics readings will
be provided
28. L Hormones- types, causes of COPSY1716.3 Selected
imbalance & impact readings will
be provided
29. L Blood supply to the brain COPSY1716.4 Selected
readings will
be provided
30. T Sleep and biological rhythms- COPSY1716.2 Selected
case studies references
will be
provided
31. L Sleep deprivation, sleep COPSY1716.2 Selected
disorders readings will
be provided
32. L Integration of brain and spinal COPSY1716.2 Selected
cord functions readings will
be provided
 L Cerebrospinal fluid- functions COPSY1716.3 Selected
and composition readings will
be provided
34. L Imbalance of COPSY1716.1 Selected
neurotransmitters readings will
be provided
35. L Brian mapping- introduction COPSY1716.1 Selected
and basics readings will
be provided
36. T History of brain mapping in COPSY1716.4 Selected
neuropsychology references
will be
provided
37. L Scope and application of COPSY1716.1 Selected
mapping techniques references
will be
provided
38. L Advancements in science and COPSY1716.1 Selected
technology (1) references
will be
provided
39. L Advancements in science and COPSY1716.4 Selected
technology (2) references
will be
provided
40. L Advancements in science and COPSY1716.2 Selected
technology (3) references
will be
provided
41. L Advancements in science and COPSY1716.2 Selected
technology (4) references
will be
provided
42. T Pharmaceutical drugs COPSY1716.2 Selected
references
will be
provided
43. L Major drug classes used in COPSY1716.3 Selected
treating mental illness references
will be
provided
44. L Pharmacokinetics- Basics COPSY1716.4 Selected
references
will be
provided
45. L Intoxication and the higher COPSY1716.2 Selected
brain references
will be
provided
 L Disorders due to drug abuse- COPSY1716.2 Selected
introduction and brief basics references
will be
provided
47. L Introduction to biofeedback COPSY1716.3 Selected
references
will be
provided
48. T Case presentation on sleep COPSY1716.2 Selected
studies (1) references
will be
provided
49. L Case presentation- EEG in COPSY1716 Selected
Neuropsychology (2) references
will be
provided
50. L Case presentation (3) COPSY1716 Selected
references
will be
provided
51. L Revision Unit I COPSY1716 Kolb, B. &
Whishaw, I.
Q. (2013).
An
Introduction
to Brain and
Behaviour.
New York:
Worth
Publishers.
52. L Revision Unit II COPSY1716 Kolb, B. &
Whishaw, I.
Q. (2013).
An
Introduction
to Brain and
Behaviour.
New York:
Worth
Publishers.
53. L Revision Unit III COPSY1716 Kolb, B. &
Whishaw, I.
Q. (2013).
An
Introduction
to Brain and
Behaviour.
New York:
Worth
 Publishers.
54. L Revision Unit IV COPSY1716 Kolb, B. &
Whishaw, I.
Q. (2013).
An
Introduction
to Brain and
Behaviour.
New York:
Worth
Publishers.
55. L Revision: consolidated COPSY1716 Kolb, B. &
Whishaw, I.
Q. (2013).
An
Introduction
to Brain and
Behaviour.
New York:
Worth
Publishers.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
The marks allocated for internal assessment shall be awarded as per the scheme given
below.
i) Marking Scheme
Criteria Maximum Marks
Mid Semester Examination 20
Attendance (Refer Table ii below) 4
Academic activities (Average of any 3 activities e.g. quiz, assignment, 15
open book test, field work, group discussion and seminar)
Student – Teacher interaction 5
Total Internal Assessment 40
End Semester Examination 60
Total (Internal +External Assessment) 100
ii) Scheme for the allotment of marks for attendance
Percentage of Attendance Marks
95-100 4
90-94 3
85-89 2
80-84 1
Less than 80 0

iii) Proposed Timeline

Due Date Type of Assessment Max. Final
Marks Weightag
e
Mid Semester Examinations (Average of two examinations)
dd.mm.yy to dd.mm.yy Mid Semester Examination-I 20 20
Assignments (Average of three activities)
By Assignment-I Quiz 10 05
By Assignment-II Report 10 05
By Assignment -III Presentation 10 05

COURSE READINGS

Core Textbooks

T1. Carlson, N. R. (2009). Foundations of Physiological Psychology (6th ed.). New Delhi:
Pearson Education.
T2. Hall, J. E. (2015). Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (13th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
T3. Kalat, J. W. (2012). Biological Psychology. CA: Wardsworth / Thomson Learning.
T4. Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I. Q. (2013). An Introduction to Brain and Behavior. New York:
Worth Publishers.

Reference Books/ Sources

R1. Pinel, J. P. J. and Barnes, S. J. (2017). Biopsychology (10th ed.). Pearson Education
Limited - Prentice Hall.
R2. Toates, F. (2011). Biological Psychology (3rd ed.). England: Pearson Education
Limited.
R3. Wickens, A. (2009). Introduction to Biopsychology (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
R4. Breedlove, S. M., Rosenzweig, M. R., & Watson, N. V. (2010) Biological Psychology: An
Introduction to Behavioural, Cognitive, and Clinical Neuroscience (6th ed.). Sunderland,
MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers.
R5. Barrett, K.E., Barman, S. M., Boitano, S., & Brooks, H. L. (2016). Ganong’s Review of
Medical Physiology (25th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Education.
R6. Internet Archives for Case Presentations.