M.A. (Psychology) Biological Basis of Human Behavior Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
Semesters III and IV are from the Board's own Semester III and IV syllabus approved on 12 July 2024 (item 5.7 (N)), in force from 2024-25. The 2023 document's credit table shows an earlier plan for Semesters III and IV; the 2024 syllabus is the one the University examines, and its Winter 2026 timetables name these papers.
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Syllabus for Biological Basis of Human Behavior
The University's syllabus heads this course “Biological Basis of Human Behaviour”; the University's list of courses names it “Biological Basis of Human Behavior”.
Course objectives
- 1 To understand the role of biological and neurological aspects that influence the human behaviour
- 2 To develop understanding of Psychobiology of Sensorimotor System and Motivation and Emotion.
- 3 To develop understanding of the neurobiological basis of the cognition, emotion and motivation
- 4 To evaluate role of biological systems in psychology
Course outcomes
- CO1 Students will be able to understand structure of the biological systems and neurological systems.
- CO2 Students will be able understand the role of biological systems in sensory motor, cognition, motivation, and emotion.
- CO3 Students would be able critically examine various biological systems in psychological aspects.
- CO4 Students will be able to apply this knowledge to different areas of psychological functioning.
Unit 1: Brain and Nerves System
- a Nervous System: Structure and function of Brain: CNS, PNS. Neuron: Structure. Neural conduction and Synaptic transmission.
- b Foundations: Human genetics, Human evolution, and Behaviour
- c Endocrine system. Immune Systems.
- d Cerebral Specialization. Brain Plasticity.
Unit 2: Psychobiology of Sensorimotor System
- a Methods of investigating: Methods of Visualizing and Stimulating the Living Human Brain; Recording Human Psychophysiological Activity; Invasive Physiological Research Methods. Pharmacological Research method. Genetic Engineering.
- b Behavioural Research Methods of Biopsychology
- c Neuropsychology of Visual system, Hearing, Touch, Smell, & Taste.
- d Neuropsychology of the Sensorimotor System.
Unit 3: Psychobiology of Motivation and Emotion
- a Neuropsychological basis of Thirst and Hunger.
- b Neuropsychological basis of sleep.
- c Neuropsychological basis of Sex.
- d Neuropsychological basis of Emotion.
Unit 4: Psychobiology of Cognition
- a Neuropsychology of Attention. Brains, minds and consciousness
- b Neuropsychology of Language.
- c Neuropsychology of Learning, Memory, and Amnesia.
- d Neuropsychology of Executive Functions.
Books for study
- 1 Pinel, J. P. J. (2017). Biopsychology. Pearson.
- 2 Zilmer, E. A. & Spears, M. V. (2001). Principals of neuropsychology. Canada: Wadsworth
- 3 Carlson, N. (2010). Physiology of behaviour. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Reproduced from the University of Mumbai syllabus for M.A. (Psychology), Semester III and IV, AC 12/07/2024, Item No. 5.7 (N), in force from the academic year 2024-25. Wording and numbering are as printed there; the marks scheme is in the PDF above.
The complete syllabus
This subject is cut from the University document for its semesters. Open the document here if you want the whole thing rather than a single subject.