PSYC 3760 - Foundations of Neuroscience

Spring, 2006

 

Instructor: Dr. Donadrian Rice

Office: 123 Melson Hall

Phone: 770-836-6510

E-mail: drice@westga.edu  (fastest way to get a response)

Office Hours: Please make appointments with the Secretary 

 

Teaching Assistant: Kimberly LaPlante

E-mail: klaplan1@my.westga.edu

 

Texts:

Lambert, K. & Kinsley, C.H. (2005).Clinical Neuroscience: The Neurobiological Foundations of Mental Health. New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Website for this text can be found at http://www.bfwpub.com and searching for Clinical Neuroscience under Psychology, then clicking ‘go to the companion site’

 

A Free E-Book put out by the Society of Neuroscience: Brain Facts: A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System is available at

http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainFacts/index.html

 

‘The Secret Life of the Brain’ is a website put out by PBS with interesting information on the brain and an interactive tutorial on the gross anatomy of the brain is available at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/

 

Other readings may be distributed in class or on reserve in the Library which can be accessed online at http://www.westga.edu/~library/reserves/

Scroll down to PSYC 3760, Username- rice, Password - mind

 

Course Description

This course is an exploration of human anatomy and physiology, specifically of the central and peripheral nervous system, in relation to experiences such as perception, emotion, motivation, learning, language, thought, and decision-making. This course will provide and understanding of the macro- and micro-anatomy of the nervous system, the physiology of neurotransmission, neurochemistry, the physiological basis for psychological disorders as well as ethical issues within neuroscience.  

 

Course Objectives

Students will:

1)      Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the physiological basis of psychological disorders.

2)      Have an understanding of the ethics and implications of the psychological and physiological processes discussed.

 

Requirements

Students are expected to:

a)      Read texts and assigned material

b)      Come prepared for class

c)      Participate in class discussions

d)      You are required to attend all scheduled classes.  More than four absences will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

 

Evaluation

Your final grade will be determined by 4 quizzes covering information from the lectures and the required readings, 10 reflections which will be assigned in class, a paper, a midterm exam covering all information from the first half of the semester, and a comprehensive final exam.

Note: Late work will not be accepted and no make-up exams will be given, if you will not be present for a scheduled exam please discuss it with the professor and it may be taken early.

 

These grades will be weighted as follows:

Quizzes - 40%

Reflections - 20%

Paper - 10%

Midterm - 15%

Final - 15%

 

Grading Scale:

90-100    -  A

80-89      -  B

70-79      -  C

60-69    -  D

below 60 - F

 

Tentative Schedule

1/10 - Syllabus and an overview of what will be covered

1/12 – Chapter 1: The Emergence of Clinical Neuroscience

 

1/17 – Chapter 2: Historical Perspectives

1/19 – Chapter 2 cont’d: Research and Treatments, a discussion of ethics

 

1/24 - Chapter 3: Macroanatomy of the Nervous System

1/26 - Chapter 3: Anatomy of the Brain, a functional analysis

 

1/31 – Chapter 4: Microanatomy of the Neuron

2/02 – Quiz 1

 

2/7 – Chapter 4: Action Potential: The biology of cellular communication

2/9 – Chapter 5: Neurotransmitters

 

2/14 – Chapter 5: More Neurotransmitters, Neurochemistry and Psychopharmacology

2/16 – Chapter 6: Neural Development – Prenatal through Childhood

 

2/21 - Chapter 6: Neural Development – The Aging Process

2/23 – Quiz 2

 

2/28 – Chapter 7: Anxiety Disorders; OCD and Tourette ’s syndrome

3/02 – Midterm Exam

 

3/07 – Chapter 8: Mood Disorders; Depression

3/09 - Chapter 8: Mood Disorders; More depression and Bipolar Disorder

 

3/14 – Chapter 9: Schizophrenia

3/16 – Quiz 3

 

3/21-3/23         Spring Break – Enjoy!

 

3/28 – Chapter 10: Drug Addiction

3/30 - Chapter 10: Drug Addiction

Paper Due

 

4/04 – Chapter 11: Stress and Coping

4/06 - Chapter 11: Stress and Coping, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

4/11  - Chapter 12: Psychoneuroimmunology – Overview of the Immune system

4/13 - Chapter 12: Psychoneuroimmunology – Psychology and Stress

 

4/18 – Chapter 13: Eating Regulation and Disorders

4/20 – Quiz 4

 

4/25 – Epilogue – Ethicality of criminal behaviors and designer drugs

4/27 – Epilogue – Neural Plasticity and Treatments

 

Final Exam:  Thursday, May 4, 8-10 am

 

The instructor reserves the right to change this schedule as necessary