King's College London

This course builds upon compulsory level 4 courses with a review of the muscle cell and an understanding of the biochemical processes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and aminoacids to provide the energy for muscle contraction. It also provides an understanding of how metabolism changes and is regulated in different types of exercise, and the role of nutrition in modulating these changes. 

The course examines the classical distinction between 'nature’ and ‘nurture’, and the status of genetic and environmental explanations of psychological variation. The research techniques covered include twin studies, gene-environment interaction studies, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and polygenic risk scores. The course also explores the nature of gender differences, including the role of biological sex and culture in the development of gender identity, and sex differences in cognitive abilities and vulnerability to mental health problems and developmental disorders such as autism. Lastly, students explore social and cultural influences on the vulnerability to mental health problems, using developmental psychology, global mental health, and social psychiatry approaches.