Syllabus

 

Foundations of Neuroscience

PSYC 3760-01

Spring Semester 07

 

 

Instructor: Dr. Donadrian L. Rice

Office: 123 Melson Hall

Office Hours: by Appointment

Ph.: 678.839.6510

Email: drice@westga.edu Quickest Response

Class Meeting Room 302 Pafford

 

Text: (Required) Biopsychology 6th Ed. By John J. Pinel, Allyn and Bacon Pub.

Student Study Guide Grade for AID Recommended, but not required

A Free E-Book published 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/

Another interesting and informative website is: www.neurosciencenews.com

Additional Readings Announced in Class.

Grades, announcements, and additional reading assignments will be posted on WebCT-Vista: Be sure to check regularly.

Course Description

This course is an exploration of nervous system 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

a)     Read text and assigned materials

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.

e)     You are required to be on time for class and to conduct yourself in a manner conducive to a classroom environment. Late comers (after class has started) are considered absent. This means: No Cell Phone Usage of Any Kind! No Talking or Chattering that is not directed related to classroom discussions. Failure to follow these rules will result in administrative withdrawal.

Evaluation

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

Note: No make-up exams will be given, if you will not be present for a scheduled exam, please discuss with me about the possibility of taking it early.

These grades will be weighted as follows:

Quizzes: 40%

 

Midterm: 30%

 

Final: 30%

 

Grading Scale

 

90-100= A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60= F

 

 

Tentative Schedule

 

1/9-Syllabus and overview of course

1/11-Chapter 1 Biopsychology as a Neuroscience

1/16-Chapter 2 Evolution, Genetics and Experience

1/18-Chapter 3 The Anatomy of the Nervous System

1/23-Chapter 4 Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission

 

1/25-Quiz 1

 

1/30-Chapter 5 The Research Methods of Biopsychology

2/1- Chapter 6 The Visual System

2/6- Chapter 7 Mechanisms of Perception, Consciousness, Awareness, and Attention

2/8-Chapter 7 cont.

2/13-Chapter 8 The Sensorimotor System

 

2/15-Quiz 2

 

2/20- Chapter 9 Development of the Nervous System

2/22 Chapter 9 cont. and Review

 

2/27- Midterm

 

3/1- Last day to Withdraw with W

3/1- Chapter 10 Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity

3/6- Chapter 11 Learning Memory and Amnesia

3/8- Chapter 11 cont.

3/13-Chapter 12 Hunger, Eating, and Health

3/15 Chapter 13 Hormones and Sex

 

3/19-23-Spring Break! Enjoy

 

3/27-Chapter 13 cont.

 

3/29 Quiz 3

 

4/3- Chapter 14 Sleep, Dreaming and Circadian Rhythms

4/5- Chapter 14 cont.

4/10- Chapter 15 Drug Addiction and the Brain's Reward Circuits

4/12- Chapter 16 Lateralization, Language, and the Split Brain

 

4/17- Quiz 4

 

4/19 Chapter 17 Biopsychology of Emotion, Stress, and Health

4/24- Chapter 18 Biopsychology of Psychiatric Disorders

 

5/1-Final Exam 8-10 AM

 

I reserve the right to make necessary adjustments to the above schedule with announcements of such adjustments in class.