Genes, Environment & Development in Psychology & Psychiatry

Course detail Description

Our interdisciplinary course covers the advances that have been made in behavioural genetics over recent years. It focuses on how genes and environments shape the development of normal and abnormal human behaviours, including cognitive ability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), anxiety and depression and schizophrenia.

In addition to disorder characterisation and presentation of the genetic, social and other environmental risk factors, our course also covers the molecular mechanisms and the specialised analysis methods relevant to interdisciplinary research in this field. By focusing on current research in this area, our course will enhance your understanding of research methods and enable you to critically appraise the relevant scientific literature.

Our course also aims to provide a thorough grounding in a range of research methods and their application and to develop skills of critical evaluation, problem solving and intellectual rigour in order to carry out independent research. You will develop an awareness of the practical and ethical issues related to conducting, writing up and disseminating research and develop transferable skills and knowledge needed for a research career in academia or industry, or in science communication.

We seek to increase your knowledge and understanding of behavioural genetics and social development, especially if you wish to convert from your original degree discipline and to equip you to apply it in your future career choice, either in further postgraduate education (e.g. PhD) or employment related to the subject.

Many recent advances in behavioural genetics have been made with growing evidence for the role of genes in shaping our behaviour. The purpose of our course is to focus on how genes and environments influence the development of human behaviours, providing interdisciplinary training to students from a range of scientific backgrounds.

For information on open events visit

Format

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Introduction to Genes, Environment and Development

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (5 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (5 hours) | Self-study time (260 hours)

Research Methods

Lectures (70 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials 10 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (80 hours) | Self-study time (440 hours)

Psychology and Psychopathology

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (5 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (5 hours) | Self-study time (260 hours)

Research Project

Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (60 hours) | Project work (340 hours) | Self-study time (200 hours)

Year 1

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations.

Examination (15%) | Coursework (70%) | Practical (15%)

Regulating body
King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England

Other related courses:

Health Psychology MSc

Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology MSc

Read more

Structure

Year 1 Required Modules

Students on this course are required to take:

• Introduction to Genes, environment & Development (30 credits)

• Research Methods (general statistics; statistical genetics including twin model fitting and genomewide association studies; molecular genetics) (60 credits)

• Psychology & Psychopathology (developmental psychology; social development; psychosis and bipolar disorder; emotional/behavioural disorders; model systems) (30 credits)

• Research project (60 credits)