Behavioral Neuroscience
Instructor: Steven W Brown, Ph.D
Office: Van Ackeren 422a
Phone: (816) 501-4039
Email: steven.brown@rockhurst.edu
HomePage: http://cterockhurst.imodules.com/browns
Fax: (816) 501-4169
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00 – 12:00
Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 – 12:00
I am also happy to meet with you by appointment. Call or email and let me know when you are available.
Text: Optional
Kalat, J.W. (2004). Biological Psychology 8th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.
WebCT:
The WebCT site for this course will be your primary resource for assignments, lecture notes and reference materials. The site can be reached at: http://webct.rockhurst.edu/
Course Description:
Behavioral Neuroscience is designed to be an introductory course focusing on the relationship between the nervous system and behavior. Given the incredible advances in understanding various aspects of brain function and the relationship between the brain and our subjective experience, the serious student of human behavior can no longer enjoy the luxury of ignoring “all that biology stuff”. We will spend the majority of our time in this course studying the brain. Although we will need to learn some basic anatomy and physiological processes, we will always focus on the behavioral consequences of the processes we study. So why it might be uninspiring to talk about the mechanics of synaptic transmission, I think it is fascinating to consider the role neurotransmitters play in addiction, memory and abnormal behavior. It is my hope that after you have completed this course, you will possess a new and exciting perspective on human behavior.
Learning Objectives:
Specific learning objectives will be provided before we begin studying a particular section of material, however, below I have listed several global objectives I have for the course. I believe a student completing this course should:
- Be familiar with the basic structures and processes of the central nervous system
- Have a foundational understanding of brain development, and environmental factors that may have an impact on brain development
- Have a working understanding of the biological basis of selected human abilities and behaviors
- Understand the relationship between brain abnormalities and several categories of abnormal behavior in humans
Grading
Your grade will be based on three unit exams, a final exam, several components of research paper development, one research paper, homework and attendance.
Exams
There will be a unit exam following the completion of each of the first three units in the course (see course calendar). Each unit exam will only cover material presented in the unit being tested. I strive to return exams the following class period; if you are forced to miss a test, it is your responsibility to contact me so that a make-up time may be arranged before the next class meeting.
Final Exam
There will be a comprehensive final exam
Library Research Paper
The papers must be typed. The research paper should be approximately 10 double spaced pages in length. I will suggest several topics for the research paper in class and you will be allowed to choose a topic that you find interesting. The process of developing the paper will be divided into several components and each of these components will be graded (see calendar for deadlines). Because part of writing is learning to meet deadlines, there will be a penalty for late papers. It is also your responsibility to keep a copy of your research paper on file.
Homework
The Internet
You will be asked to visit web pages related to topics we are discussing in class and answer questions or prepare short reports over the content presented at these sites.
The Literature
I will also provide you with a few short articles over the course of the semester and ask you to answer questions related to the articles.
Attendance
I believe class attendance is important. In order to promote attendance I will take roll and include attendance as a component of your final grade. Your grade will be the percentage of classes you attend (i.e. #classes attended/45). Students that miss 7 or more classes will be given the option of dropping the course or receiving a failing grade.
Rational Underlying the Assignments
- The Internet exercises are designed to supplement your content knowledge over material covered in class as well as expose you to the tremendous range of resources available on the web.
- The short article assignments are provided to expose you to some of the most recent developments in Behavioral Neuroscience research. The questions I ask you about the reading are designed to exercise your critical thinking skills.
- The Unit exams allow me to assess your understanding of the lecture/discussions.
- The Final exam allows me to evaluate your retention of course content.
- The various assignments related to the research paper are designed to encourage you to distribute your library research, reading, and writing over the course of the semester. The assignments also allow me to provide you with feedback concerning your paper before it is graded formally.
- The research paper is designed to allow you to go “in depth” into a topic in behavioral neuroscience that you find particularly intriguing.
Final Grades
Grades will be calculated as follows:
Three Unit Exams ……………... 45% (15% each)
Research Paper Development ….. 5%
Research Paper (1st draft)….……10%
Research Paper (final draft)..…….10%
Final Exam …………………..….15%
Homework ……….……………. 10%
Attendance …………………….. 5%
The following grading scale will be used:
93-100% = A
90- 92% = A-
87- 89% = B+
83- 86% = B
80- 82% = B-
77- 79% = C+
70- 76% = C
67- 69% = D+
60- 66% = D
Below 59% = F
Students with Disabilities:
Rockhurst University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Please contact Sandy Waddell in Access Services (Massman Hall, Room 7, 501.4689, sandy.waddell@rockhurst.edu) to provide documentation and request accommodations. If accommodations have already been approved by the Access Office, please communicate with the instructor(s) of this course regarding these arrangements by the second week of class in order to coordinate receipt of services.
Calendar of Events
Unit 1 Basic Neurological Processes:
| Date |
Topic
|
Optional Reading
|
|
August 26 – 29
|
Introduction
Nerve Cells
Choose Topic
|
Chapter 2
|
|
September 3-5
|
Neural Transmission
Labor Day: September 1
|
Chapter 2
|
|
September 8-12
|
Synaptic Transmission
Article Summaries Due 9/12
|
Chapter 3
|
|
September 15-19
|
Neurotransmitters
Exam 1: September 19
|
Chapter 3
|
Unit 2 Brain Anatomy and Organization:
| Date |
Topic
|
Optional Reading
|
|
September 22-26
|
Brain Anatomy
|
Chapter 4
|
|
September 29-
October 3
|
Brain Anatomy (Cont.)
Brain Development
|
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
|
|
October 6-10
|
Lateralization and Language
Paper outline Due 8/10
|
Chapter 14
|
|
October 13-15
|
Lateralization and Language
Exam 2: October 15
Midsemester Holiday Oct. 17
|
Chapter 14
|
Unit 3 Basic Human Processes:
| Date |
Topic
|
Optional Reading
|
|
October 20-24
|
Emotion
|
Chapter 12
|
|
October 27-29
|
Memory
AACU Conference Oct. 31
|
Chapter13
|
|
November 3-7
|
Sexual Development
Paper Due 9/7
|
Chapter 11
|
|
November 10-14
|
Sexual Development (Cont.)
Exam 3:
|
Chapter 11
|
Unit 4 Abnormalities of Brain Function:
| Date |
Topic
|
Optional Reading
|
|
November 17-21
|
Disorders of Memory
|
Chapter 13
|
|
November 24
|
Disorders of Object Recognition and Spatial Cognition
|
|
|
December 1-5
|
Movement Disorders and OCD
|
Chapter 8
|
|
December 8-12
|
OCD (cont.) and Schizophrenia
Paper Rewrites Due 12/10
|
Twitch and Shout
Chapter 15
|
|
Final Exam
|
Monday Dec. 15, 1:00-3:00
|
Comprehensive
|