Biological Psychology of Mental Health (C8504)
Biological Psychology of Mental Health
Module C8504
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Full Module Description
The module examines the biological underpinnings of selected mental health conditions. Topics covered may include addictions, anxiety disorders, attentional disorders, autism, dementias, eating disorders, mood disorders, psychosis, and sleep disorders. Clinical observations, human experiments, genomic investigations, and studies using animal models may be used to illustrate the relationships between altered cognitive-behavioural states, biochemical processes, and functional neuroanatomy. The biological implications of therapies for mental health conditions will also be discussed.
This module builds on knowledge gained in the core psychology modules C8003: Psychobiology and C8518: Brain and Behaviour. Students who are not enrolled on the BSc Psychology course at Sussex are expected to be familiar with the material covered in these modules.
Module Outline
This module examines the biological underpinnings of selected mental health conditions. The module is delivered via both lectures and seminars.
Although the topics covered can change across module presentations, mental health conditions discussed may include (but are not limited to) the following:
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attentional Disorders
• Behavioural Addictions
• Dementias
• Eating Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
• Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
Clinical observations, human experiments, genomic investigations, and studies using animal models may be used to illustrate the relationships between altered cognitive-behavioural states, biochemical processes, and functional neuroanatomy. The biological implications of therapies for mental health conditions will also be discussed
Module learning outcomes
Appreciate the potential biological bases of various mental health conditions, along with possible biomedical interventions
Critically evaluate scientific research investigating the biological underpinnings of mental health conditions
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Based Exam | Semester 1 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | T1 Week 8 (1 hour) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11101101110 |
| Autumn Semester | Workshop | 2 hours | 00010010001 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Bryan Singer
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/454349
Dr Maria Hadjimarkou
Convenor
/profiles/438422
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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.