Instructor Office Hours: Bousfield
room 113 (first floor) Thurs 2-4, & by appointment. (Please email
me to set up an appointment time if these hours do not fit your
schedule).
Textbook (required):
Biological Psychology: An Introduction to Behavioral and Cognitive
Neuroscience 6/e (Edition 6), 2010, Rosenzweig, Breedlove and Watson.
ISBN-13: 978-0-87893-324-2 http://www.sinauer.com/detail.php?id=3242
Test Schedule and Policy:
There will be 4 (four) sectional multiple-choice tests, with one
optional make-up opportunity (total 5). If you take all 4 sectional
tests and choose to take the make-up, the top 4 test grades out of 5
will be used. If you miss one of the 4 sectional tests for any reason
(excused or unexcused), or if you would like to substitute for a poor
test grade, the sectional make-up will be Dec 7. Those who don’t
want/need to take the make-up will have the day off : )
The make-up multiple-choice test will cover material from all prior 4 tests (cumulative), plus 2 post-Thanksgiving lectures. This will be the only sectional make-up test opportunity.
In addition, there will be a final exam (multiple-choice) covering all
material discussed over the semester (cumulative). The final exam will
occur according to the UConn Final Exam schedule (http://www.registrar.uconn.edu/preliminary_fall.htm).
Any
student missing the final exam will receive a class grade of “X” in
PeopleSoft. If an absence is excused/validated in writing by the Dean
of Students, arrangements will be made for re-scheduling the final
(please go to the DOS website, http://www.dos.uconn.edu
for acceptable reasons for missing a final & timeline to
reschedule). If the student cannot validate a missed final, a class
grade will be calculated accordingly (20% of your class grade = F).
Test Material: Tests will be multiple choice, and will cover material discussed in class.
Items from readings that were not discussed in class will not be on the
test, although some material covered in class may not be in the text
(and still be on the exam). To assist you in studying, I will make
available downloadable PowerPoint presentations for each lecture (in PDF). Click on the link below to go to the "Physio Psych -- DOWNLOADS" page at this website (click on the file you
want, and it will be downloaded to your computer, so you can print it).
Note -- some public computers (e.g., library) may not accept downloads. The PDFs for each lecture will normally be available the day before,
allowing you to print the material and bring it to class for
note-taking. Study guides with key terminology will be uploaded here
prior to exams (I will try to bring hard copies of the Study Guides to
Review Sessions for those who forget to print, but copies are limited).
The syllabus provides some basic info about material to be covered in
each lecture, but please use the PowerPoints and Study Guides to prepare for exams.
Click BELOW for PHYSIO PSYCH DOWNLOADS PAGE -- PDFs of class syllabus, lectures (organized by date), study guides, and post-exam grade sheets.
Grading: Your grade will reflect the average score from the 4 sectional tests, and the final. If you have taken all 4 sectional tests and also take the make-up, the top 4 out of 5 grades will be used, plus the final. These 5 exams will be averaged equally (20% each). Again, if one of the first 4 tests is missed (or failed), you can take the make-up on Dec 7.
Reviews: Review sessions are scheduled prior to each test, and students are strongly encouraged to bring any questions on the material to class at this time.
Readings: Class readings are assigned from the required textbook. The readings are intended to elaborate/support the lectures, but all details covered in the specified text readings will not necessarily be covered in class, nor included in the tests.
Some additional readings are provided by links, as a supplement to special topics of interest covered at the end of each class ("Current Interests"). Detailed material from these websites will not be on tests unless the material is discussed in class. Again, the tests will cover material that has been discussed in class. Please use the PowerPoints and study guides to focus in on pertinent material.
Extra Credit: Each student may write an extra credit paper (1 per student) that can be applied for up to 10 points (depending on quality) to the overall grade. (Since tests are on 100-point scale, this would be like increasing one test score by a letter grade). The paper will be a review of a current peer-reviewed science article. Below are 4 paper choices – please choose and download one. You will be expected to write a synopsis of the scientific paper addressing the Problem being investigated (2 points), Hypothesis (2 points), Methods (2 points), Conclusion (2 points), and Why Do We Care (2 points). Recommended minimum 3 pages (double-space). Click here for detailed Extra Credit Instructions (PDF).
Please make sure to SIGN UP in class (by Nov 18) if you plan to do an Extra Credit paper. Papers will not be accepted if you have not signed up by Nov 18.
Extra credit papers must be turned in (hard copy, not email) by the start of class on Thurs Dec 2 (or anytime during the semester before Dec 2). Late extra-credit papers, or papers not addressing the assigned topic, will not be accepted.
Honors Conversion: A once-weekly discussion group (1 hr/week), focusing more in depth on original scientific papers relating to the topics of study, is being held for PSYC 2200 students who would like to convert this class to Honors credit. Discussion group place and time TBD. For questions about conversion, see the Honors website, or visit CUE Building Rm. 419.
Extra Support: In addition to individual lecture web-links, the website "Neuroscience for Kids" has extensive explanations and demo's (including animations) for many basic principles and topics that we will be covering in class. Check it out at: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
*************************************************************** Lecture and Test Schedule: **************************************************************
SECTION I, Fundamentals of the Brain
Tues Aug 31 – Introduction First class, no readings. Review syllabus, tests, grading, and class format.
Thurs Sept 2 – Fundamentals of the Brain 1 – Anatomic Structure and Organization Reading: CH 2, 23-49 (to end of “ventricles”); CH 19, 587 604-697: (total pages 30). What you need to know: Basic structure of a neuron; structures and subdivisions of the human brain (peripheral (cranial, spinal, autonomic)/central (brain, spinal cord)); developmental subdivisions; structural subdivisions; cortical hemispheres, cortical regions and function; basic ventricular system; laterality, ear-advantage, corpus callosum. Current interest: Split-brain and hemispheric asymmetry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfGwsAdS9Dc Watch an episode of House MD (season 5, episode 24, "Both Sides Now") where a patient with callosal transection shows "alien hand syndrome" -- his left hand acts out the non-verbal communications coming from his right brain: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029LZ2CE
Tues Sept 7 – Fundamental of the Brain 2 – Mammalian Brain Evolution & Development Reading: CH 6: 156 - 175 (evolution); CH 7, 179 - 194 (development) (total pages 36). What you need to know: Phylogeny versus ontogeny, classification, evolution & natural selection, ways to measure evolutionary/species brain differences; stages of neurodevelopment, cell migration, cell death (necrosis, apoptosis), neurotrophic factors, stem cells. Current interest: When does the brain stop developing? Adolescents, decision-making and the frontal cortex. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html
Thurs Sept 9 – Fundamentals of the Brain 3 – Neurons, synapses, & transmission. Reading: (CH 2, rev 23-34); CH 3, 57 - 79 (neurons, APs, synapses) (total pages 23). What you need to know: Detailed neuronal structure/function (dendrite, soma, axon), glia, synapse, circuits; action potential, hyperpolarization/depolarization, ion channel, basics of synaptic transmission, EPSP/IPSP; synaptic vesicle and release, synaptic cleft. For an animation of ion flow during the action potential see: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/matthews/channel.html Click here to see a movie on synaptic transmission as seen in class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXx9qlJetSU&feature=related
Tues Sept 14 – Fundamentals of the Brain 4 – Basic Experimental Design, Methods of Study (MRI, fMRI, electrophysiology) Reading: CH 2, 50 - 55 (neuroimaging); CH 19, 600 - 603; see also -- http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/home.html What you need to know: Basics of experimental design (experimental/control groups, independent/dependent variables, “significant difference”); CAT scan, MRI, PET, fMRI, electrophysiology, MEG, TMS, applications for neuroimaging techniques in human health. Current interest: Neuroimaging & vegetative state: surprising activity using fMRI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXbd1LaMGvc&feature=channel_page Watch an episode of House MD (Season 5, episode 19) where Mos Def has a biking accident and suffers "locked-in syndrome." http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0023P9KX8
Thurs Sept 16 – Section I -- Review Session and discussion, with Q&A. Reading: Review all Section I readings; bring questions.
Tues Sept 21 – *****Test, Section I, Fundamentals of the Brain *****
SECTION II – Things that Affect the Brain
Thurs Sept 23 – Things that Affect the Brain 1 –Hormones (emphasis on steroids) Reading: CH 5, 117 - 120 (top) & 123 (bottom) - 138 (note table 5.2); CH 12, 365 - 382 (sexual differentiation) (total pages 36). What
you need to know: Hormone categories (protein, amine, steroid); major
glands, their products & basic functions; sexual differentiation,
organizational versus circulating (activational) steroid effects,
gender, sexual orientation. Current interest: Sex differences in cognition: Myth or reality? http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/debate05/debate05_index.html
Tues Sept 28 – Things that Affect the Brain 2 – Experience & Genes (Nature vs Nurture) Reading: CH 7, 194– 203; CH 9, 261 - 262 (auditory experience); CH 17, 531 - 532 (enrichment); CH 19, 586 - 587 (birdsong) (total pages 16). What
you need to know: intrinsic versus extrinsic influence,
critical/sensitive periods, Hubel & Wiesel, twin/adoption studies,
genetic abnormalities, deprivation, enrichment, plasticity, experience. Current interest: Does early music training alter brain development? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy8r8q9VRis&feature=channel_page
Thurs Sept 30 – Things that Affect the Brain 3 –Aging, Injury & Disease Reading: CH 3, 83 (epilepsy); CH 7, 206 - 209 (aging/Alzheimers); CH 11, 338 (bottom) - 346 (motor & Parkinsons); Ch 18, 570 - 571 9 hemi-spatial neglect) & 578 - 579 (Phineas Gage); CH 19, 590 - 596 (aphasia) & 610 - 615 (prosopagnosia, functional recovery) (total pages 30). What
you need to know: How brain function changes with aging; alzheimers and
dementias; brain trauma (stroke, etc) and functional effects (aphasia,
prosopagnosia, hemispatial neglect, dementia pugilistica), spinal
injury, apraxia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s, ataxia. Current interest: Stem cells and spinal cord injury: Can paralysis be cured? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28802225/
Tues Oct 5 —Things that Affect the Brain 4 – Drugs and Alcohol Reading: CH 4, 87 - 116 (total pages 30) What
you need to know: receptors, receptor sub-types, endogenous/exogenous,
affinity, competitive and non-competitive agonist and antagonist,
re-uptake inhibitors, neuromodulators (e.g., caffeine), recreational
drugs and their effects. Current interest: The neural effects of alcohol and other recreational drugs. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html
Thurs Oct 7 –Section II -- Review and Discussion w/Q&A Reading: Review section II readings; bring questions.
Tues Oct 12 – *****Test, Section II – Things that Affect the Brain*****
SECTION III – How the Brain Works, Part I
Thurs Oct 14 – How the Brain Works Pt. Ia – Touch, Pain, and Smell Reading: CH 8, 215 - 245 (touch & pain); CH 9, 272 (middle) – 275 (smell) (total pages 34) What
you need to know: sensory receptors, detection thresholds, sensory
transduction, intensity, adaptation, somatosensory cortex, receptive
field, nociceptor, endorphin, enkephalin; papillae, taste buds,
olfactory receptors. Current Interest: Life without pain receptors (CIPA) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ths2RJRenvI&feature=related
Tues Oct 19 – How the Brain Works Pt. 1b – Hearing Reading: CH 9, 247 - 257 (total pages 10) What
you need to know: Outer, middle and inner ear; cochlea, organ of corti,
hair cells, stereocilia, tonotopy; sound properties (frequency,
intensity, AM, FM); basic mechanisms of sound transduction; ascending
auditory structures, basic organization of primary and secondary
auditory cortices. Current interest: Reorganization of auditory cortex in the congenitally deaf. Deaf Performing Arts Network (D-PAN) gallery of music video translated in ASL: http://d-pan.org/index.php/d-pan-feature-galleries/video-galleries
Thurs Oct 21 – How the Brain Works Pt. 1c – Vision Reading: CH 10, 281 - 319 (total pages 29) What
you need to know: Structures of the eye (retina, fovea, optic disk,
lens, blind spot); photoreceptors, rods & cones, rhodopsin, basic
mechanisms of light transduction, acuity, visual properties (spatial
frequency, motion), ascending visual structures, basic organization of
primary and secondary visual cortices. Current interest: Visual illusions: How we trick the brain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_illusion
Tues Oct 26 – How the Brain Works Pt. 1d – Motor Function (half-class) and Review w/Q&A (half class) Reading: CH 11, 322 - 330 (muscle, pyramidal) & 336 - 338 (extra-pyramidal); p. 334 (motor learning); rev Section III readings; bring questions. What
you need to know (motor function): Muscle fibers, myosin, actin, smooth
& striated muscle, neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine, spinal reflex, pyramidal system, extra-pyramidal system, proprioception & feedback.
Thurs Oct 28 – ***Test, Section III – How the Brain Works Pt I******
Thurs Nov 4 – How the Brain Works Pt. IIb – Emotion Reading: CH 15, 445 - 470 (total pages 26) What
you need to know: Limbic system, amygdala, anterior cingulate,
aggression, stress, oxytocin, cortisol, norepinephrine/epinephrine and
excitement. Current interest: Surfing, snowboarding, skydiving – addicted to adrenalin? http://stress.about.com/od/situationalstress/a/adrenaline0528.htm
Tues Nov 9 – How the Brain Works Pt. IIc – Learning and Memory Reading: CH 17, 511 - 531 (total pages 20) What
you need to know: Anterograde/retrograde amnesia,
declarative/procedural memory, Korsakoff’s, classical conditioning,
operant conditioning (shaping), short vs long term memory, brain
structures involved in learning and memory (e.g., medial temporal
lobe), primacy & recency effects, LTP. Current interest: 50 First Dates: Does it really happen? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesia
Thurs Nov 11 – How the brain Works Pt. IId – Cognitive & Language Development Reading: (review CH 7, 179 - 194 (development); Review cognitive milestones over the first 5 years of life at website below. What
you need to know: Review stages of brain development; sensory/motor maturation and milestones; how to test babies; timescale of language development. http://www.nichcy.org/Disabilities/Milestones/Pages/Default.aspx
Tues Nov 16 – How the Brain Works Pt. IIe – Language Continued; and Review w/Q&A Reading: CH 19, 583 - 603; review section IV readings, bring questions. What you need to know (language): phoneme, spectrogram, formants, Wernicke’s, Broca’s, aphasias, non-human "language." http://www.rxpgnews.com/evolution/Non-human_primates_may_be_linchpin_in_evolution
Thurs Nov 18 – ***Test, Section IV-- How the Brain Works Pt. II**** *************Deadline to sign up for extra credit***********
Tues Nov 23 – NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING BREAK
Thurs Nov 25 – NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING BREAK
SECTION V – Wrapping Up
Tues Nov 30 -- Developmental Disorders Reading: CH 7, 204 - 206 (ADHD, autism); CH 19, 597 - 600 (dyslexia) & 603 (bottom) - 604 (Williams).
What you need to know: Dyslexia, autism and autistic spectrum disorders andother PDDs, mental retardation, Williams syndrome, ADHD, fetal alcoholsyndrome; clinical diagnosis versus biological criteria, “risk” genes,prematurity, DSM Guide. Current interest: Autistic savante: mysterious genius. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4913196365903075662&ei=wL83StPUF4HblQeS4qTKAQ&q=daniel++savant&hl=en
Thurs Dec 2 – – Adult Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment ****Extra Credit Papers Due today***** Reading: CH 16, 477 - 507 (total pages 32). What you need to know: Schizophrenia, antipsychotics, depression, bipolar, anxiety, phobia, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD. Current interest: Iraq/Afghan war veterans and PTSD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_H_mAm4a4s
Tues Dec 7 --Cumulative make-up test (optional)
Thurs Dec 9 – Last class; General Review and Discussion for Final, Q&A. Class game of "Brain Jeopardy" using sample test questions; complete student evaluations. Reading: Review all readings; bring questions.
