1) Scores on all 4 exams are listed in black (with subbed make-up exam scores in blue); 2) EC grades are shown in red; 3) Final Exam scores are shown in RED; 4) A final Semester Score -- (Exams 1+2+3+4+EC+Final)/5 -- is shown in GREEN. 5) The Final Semester grade (based on the grading scheme below) is shown in BLUE. (This is the grade I will input in PeopleSoft).
As a side note to those thinking about it, DO NOT EMAIL ME AND ASK ME TO TWEAK, BUMP OR OTHERWISE ALTER your grade!!! I believe that my exams and grading are very fair and straight-forward and I DO NOT change grades! Also, my "rounding" is not off, as this is done by computer. PLEASE only email me if you see what you believe to be a true error in your scores.
Most everyone in the class was able to maintain their pre-final grade, which is impressive since the final was a cumulative exam of all material!!!
Sooooo..... Have a GREAT HOLIDAY EVERYONE! It has been a pleasure teaching you. Best, Dr. Fitch
Instructor Office Hours: Bousfield
room 113 (first floor) Tues 3-4p and Thurs **1-2p**, & by appointment. (Please email
me to set up an appointment time if these hours do not fit your
schedule).
Textbook (recommended):
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 four sectional multiple-choice tests, one make-up opportunity, and a final
(total 5 tests).
•If you miss one of the 4 sectional tests for
any reason (excused or unexcused), you can take the sectional make-up on Dec 4
to sub the missed grade. The make-up will be cumulative multiple-choice, covering
material from all 4 sectional tests (plus 2 final lectures).
•If you take all 4 sectional tests, you may also
take the make-up on Dec 4 and I will use the top 4 test grades out of 5. The make-up will NOT hurt you if you
have 4 higher grades, so it is great practice for the final! (Alternately, you
may opt to take the day off!). You
cannot sub the make-up for the final. •The final exam will
be 50 multiple-choice, and will cover all material discussed over the semester
(cumulative). See the UConn Final Exam schedule for date/time (tentative Tues Dec 11, 10:30 - 12:30). A student who
misses the final exam will receive a class grade of “X” in PeopleSoft. If an
absence is excused in writing by the OSSA,
please email me to reschedule the final (go to the Office for Student Services
and Advocacy website, http://www.ossa.uconn.edu/students.html, for acceptable reasons for missing a final & how to
reschedule). If you cannot validate a missed final, your class grade will be
calculated accordingly (20% of class grade = F).
Test Material:
Tests will be multiple-choice, 50
questions, 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 book and
still be on the test). To help you study, I will post downloadable PowerPoint
presentations for each lecture (in PDF). The PDFs for each lecture will normally
be available the day before class, so
you can print the material and bring it to class for note-taking. Study guides with key terminology will
be uploaded on the website before tests (and I will bring some extra hard
copies to Review Sessions). The syllabus provides some basic info about
material to be covered in each lecture, but please
use the individual lecture PowerPoints and Review Study Guides to prepare for
tests.
Bubble sheets and Versions:
All exams are 50 multiple choice
questions graded by ScanTron. If you list the wrong PeopleSoft number, your grade wont get matched to you.
Also, because of the size of the class, I use two versions of the exam. It is
really important to read and code this accurately in column K. Every year I get students
with a 35 or 40% score in a panic, who listed the wrong version. This takes a
lot of time to fix and re-score -- students lose 4 points when this happens. Be
careful!
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 be the average score
from the 4 sectional tests plus the final. If you take 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).
Reviews:
Review sessions are scheduled before
tests, and students should bring questions to these class reviews. Also you can
email Dr. Fitch with specific questions in advance of the exam (but please
don’t email me to say you don’t understand an entire concept, or send me
questions the night before a test!). Finally, you can email me to schedule a
meeting (again, in reasonable advance of the exam i.e., at least 4-5 days
before the test).
Readings:
Class readings are assigned from the recommended
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. Journal article choices are posted below. 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). Minimum 3
pages (double-space), recommended 4 pages.
I will bring a sign-up sheet for extra credit to class in Nov, through
Nov 15 (Test 4). Emailed sign ups for extra-credit must be received by the end of class onNov 15. Extra credit papers must be turned in by the end of class on Thurs Nov 29 (or anytime during the semester before Nov 29). 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. The tentative Honor Group day/time is thurs 2-3p In Bousfield rm 109. 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 28 – Introduction First class, no readings. Review syllabus, tests, grading, and class format.
Thurs Aug 30 – 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 4 – 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 6 – 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 11 – 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 13 – Section I -- Review Session and discussion, with Q&A. Reading: Review all Section I readings; bring questions.
Tues Sept 18 – *****Test, Section I, Fundamentals of the Brain *****
SECTION II – Things that Affect the Brain
Thurs Sept 20 – 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 25 – 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 27 – 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 2 —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 4 –Section II -- Review and Discussion w/Q&A Reading: Review section II readings; bring questions.
Tues Oct 9 – *****Test, Section II – Things that Affect the Brain*****
SECTION III – How the Brain Works, Part I
Thurs Oct 11 – 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 16 – How the Brain Works Pt. 1b – Hearing SFN*********** 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 18 – How the Brain Works Pt. 1c – Vision SFN********** 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 23 – 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 25 – ***Test, Section III – How the Brain Works Pt I******
Thurs Nov 1 – 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 6 – 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 8 – 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 13 – Section IV Review Reading: review section IV readings
Thurs Nov 15 – ***Test, Section IV-- How the Brain Works Pt. II**** *************Deadline to sign up for extra credit***********
Tues Nov 20 – NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING BREAK
Thurs Nov 22 – NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING BREAK
SECTION V – Wrapping Up
Tues Nov 27 -- 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 Nov 29 – – 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. Complete student evaluations. Current interest: Iraq/Afghan war veterans and PTSD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_H_mAm4a4s
Tues Dec 4 --Cumulative make-up test (optional)
Thurs Dec 6 – Last class; General Review and Discussion for Final, Q&A. Class game of "Brain Jeopardy" using sample test questions. Reading: Review all readings; bring questions.
