PSYC20006 Biological Psychology
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- Final exam 50%
- About 3 class hours a week
Is PSYC20006 hard?
PSYC20006: About average.
What you learn
How the brain produces behaviour, from neurons and brain chemicals up to thinking, plus stats for research.
After it you can
- Explain how the brain controls behaviour
- Analyse and interpret brain and behaviour data
- Write up research findings clearly
What you need first
None
What it leads to
Careers
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 15%, Final exam 50%, Assignments 35%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2021–2026)
- It is science-heavy. Neuroimaging, including the basic physics of MRI, is the hardest part; neuropharmacology is often the favourite.
- Views on the lab report are split. Some say it is harshly marked with little guidance; others found it straightforward and fair.
- The multiple-choice exam is objective. Most found it manageable, though a few said it was hard or tight on time.
- Less suited to students mainly interested in the humanities side of psychology.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate PSYC20006
Quick answers
- When is PSYC20006 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking PSYC20006?
- No prerequisites.
- Does PSYC20006 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Quizzes 15%, Final exam 50%, Assignments 35%.
- Is PSYC20006 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: It is science-heavy. Neuroimaging, including the basic physics of MRI, is the hardest part; neuropharmacology is often the favourite.
- What do students say about PSYC20006?
- It is science-heavy. Neuroimaging, including the basic physics of MRI, is the hardest part; neuropharmacology is often the favourite. Views on the lab report are split. Some say it is harshly marked with little guidance; others found it straightforward and fair. The multiple-choice exam is objective. Most found it manageable, though a few said it was hard or tight on time.
- How many class hours a week does PSYC20006 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take PSYC20006 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after PSYC20006?
- 2 subjects need it first, for example BMEN30011, PSYC30021.
- Can I rate PSYC20006?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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