Brain and Behaviour



Overview

Discover the brain and main topics of neuroscience with this online day school.

We will discuss biological theories in the context of psychology, covering basic brain neuroanatomy and linking it to human behaviour and mind functions such as learning, memory, emotion, motivation, eating and sleeping, as well as psychological dysfunction and disorders such as amnesia and mood disorders.

The day provides an introduction to the field of biological psychology to non-psychologists. It aims to familiarise you with general principles in biological psychology so that you can apply various approaches in order to better understand yourself and others.

The day will give you a better understanding of the topic of biological psychology, help you to understand the influence of these theories upon both normal and abnormal behaviour, and provide you with the basic tools for appropriate evaluation of biological theories.

Due to the nature of the contents of this day, it is not suitable for people under 18 years old.

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT on 10 November 2025.

Programme details

All times GMT (UTC)

Thursday 13 November

10am
This is your brain: an introduction to neurons, neurotransmitters, brain structure and the teenage brain

11.15am
Break

11.35am
The development of thought: from infancy to adulthood

1pm
Lunch break

2pm
Eating and drinking, sleeping and sex: emotion and motivation

3.15pm
Break

3.45pm
When it goes wrong: psychological disorders, tumours and disease

5pm
Day ends

Fees

Description Costs
Event fee £115.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Anna Scarna

Tutor

Dr Anna Scarnà is a psychologist who is interested in language, personality traits, and psychological disorders. Her research has been on non-drug treatments for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, and autism in females. Anna's most recent work has involved the occurrence of trauma in chimpanzees who were taught sign language and she has written two books about Nim Chimpsky: Primatology, Ethics and Trauma (2023) and Trauma in Sentient Beings: Nature, Nurture, and Nim (2024), both published by Routledge.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

IT requirements

The University of Oxford uses Microsoft Teams for our learning environment, where students and tutors will discuss and interact in real time. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the session at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.

If you have not used the Microsoft Teams app before, once you click the joining link you will be invited to download it (this is free). Once you have downloaded the app, please test before the start of your course. If you are using a laptop or desktop computer, you will also be offered the option of connecting using a web browser. If you connect via a web browser, Chrome is recommended.

Please note that this course will not be recorded.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support