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 10:00 – 10:50
Tuesday, Thursday 1:00 – 2:00
I am also happy to meet with you by appointment. Call or email and let me know when you are available.
Text:
Kalat, J.W. (2001). Biological Psychology 7th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.
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 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 Book.
It is critical that you have familiarized yourself with the course material before class so that you will be able to contribute to class discussion. To assist you, I will distribute questions related to your reading assignments that will be turned back to me and graded.
The Internet
You will also 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/41). 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
1. The reading questions are designed to help motivate you to get the reading done on time and help you focus on aspects of the reading I consider most important.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The Unit exams allow me to assess your understanding of the lecture/discussions.
5. The Final exam allows me to evaluate your retention of course content.
6. 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.
7. 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:
If you have a disability that might affect your work (in or out of class) it is your responsibility to contact :
Mike Anderson
Director, Access Office
109 Massman Hall
(816) 501-4856
This office works with students and faculty in planning necessary accommodations.