General Information:   Office Hours      Required Text      Learning Objectives Grading scale  Grades    Power Points   Chapter 13 study questions     Chapter 14 study questions     Chapter 15 study questions

Welcome to Physiological Psychology!

What this course is and is not.

 

Welcome to Psychology 263: Physiological Psychology.  In this course, you will learn the anatomy, neurochemistry and interrelated functions of the central nervous system and endocrine system that are responsible for behavior.  As a result of this class, you should become aware of the various types of functions controlled and modulated by your brain, how these relate to environmental stimuli and conditions, and the effects of drugs and other substances on the brain and behavior.  This course is structured so that you will find we move from the very specific biology of the neuron to more general behaviors.  This approach allows you to understand first the basic anatomy and function of the brain so that you can apply it as we tackle the "more interesting" material.  Hang on- we will get to the "good stuff" towards the end of class.  Remember, its like eating your peas BEFORE you get your dessert, and it makes the dessert taste a whole lot better! Keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items that will be of use throughout the semester. Office Hours:  My office is FELMLEY ANNEX 230A, and my phone is 438-4554.  You may find me in my office during office hours, or leave a message on voice mail on the phone.  If you are part of the internet, you may e-mail me at vfdouga@ilstu.edu.                                                        Monday            12:00-1:30 PM                                                 Wednesday       12:00-1:30 PM                                                   -or by arrangement

Required Texts:      You will be tested on material that is in assigned reading from the books, but is NOT covered in the lecture.  The books  used in this course will be: Garrett’s Brain and Behavior, Second Edition. This book is available in the usual bookstore(s).  It is REQUIRED.                         back to top

Learning Objectives:    In keeping with the spirit of good learning principles, the Psychology Department has determined that, as a result of participating in this course, you should meet the following objectives:   As a result of taking this course, you should be able to: Describe the structure of the nervous system and label diagrams appropriately. Describe the function of the nervous system and label diagrams appropriately.. Use scientific terminology appropriately in reference to biology and behavior. Read professional literature in the field of physiological psychology and behavioral neuroscience. Understand the application of physiological psychology and apply the principles of physiological psychology to the understanding of psychological problems. Make recommendations for practical solutions for psychological problems with biological causes. Be able to transmit your knowledge to others effectively. Utilize your knowledge of physiological psychology to analyze information in the contemporary world. Address contemporary social issues--such as the use of medication and psychosurgery to alter behavior- from the perspective of an individual informed on the specific issues of physiological psychology. Understand the nature of human development from a physiological psychology viewpoint and apply it to areas in your own life and to the lives of those around you--peers, family, and other individuals with whom you work in a professional or personal context. Recognize the physiological processes involved in the interpretation of sensory input (perception) and the role that one's experiences play in this process. Become familiar with the ethics involved in research with human and non-human subjects and legal and moral responsibilities of those individuals who work with both people and animals.     back to top

CLASS ACTIVITIES This course involves a significant amount of memorization, complex biological concepts, and a high degree of synthesis, thus it is CRITICAL that you keep up.  This is a class which covers very technical material, and it is easy overload on terms and pathways, thus, to break up the information there will be WEEKLY quizzes along with 4 tests. Tests are NOT comprehensive, but DO build on one another.  Note:  IF IT WAS IN THE READING ASSIGNMENT OR COVERED IN LECTURE, THEN IT IS FAIR GAME FOR THE QUIZ!  back to top

QUIZZES   QUIZZES: There will be weekly quizzes, given each Friday except the first Friday. The quizzes will be given during the first 10 minutes of the class period.  Each quiz is worth a total of 10 points. If you are late, you lose the opportunity to take the quiz. Each quiz will have a 2.5 point bonus question. IF you were to earn all the points on each quiz, you could potentially earn a total of 30 extra credit points (2.5 x 12). Extra credit points help you “replace” a missed quiz or add to a poor score on a quiz or test. I will simply add the extra credit points to your total score.  back to top

Exams:   ESSAY EXAMS: In addition to the weekly quizzes, four in-class exams will be given.  Each exam will be worth a possible 100 points.  Each exam consists of multiple choice, fill-in-the –blank, and/or short answer compare/contrast and an essay. Essay questions will entail synthesis and application of material learned up to that point, but the focus will be on the information learned since the last essay exam.  IF FOR ANY REASON you miss a test, please see me immediately !    back to top

Academic Dishonesty:     Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action. Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you.  Cheating is thus defined as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s' so that individual receives academic credit.  Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.   back to top

FINAL GRADES:   A total of 520 points are available in the course.                                                           Weekly Quizzes:            120 possible points (12 quizzes, 10 points each)                                                           Tests:                            400 possible points                                     Grades will be awarded on the following basis:                                     A: 468-520 points                                              B: 416-467 points                                     C: 338-415 points                                     D: 260-337 points                                     F:  260 points or below   back to top

Special Needs or Problems: If you have a disability, if English is your second language, you travel with a sports team, have unusual work circumstances, or you need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that's before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed.  If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible.  We cannot help you after you have failed two or more tests!  Please Note: According to University Guidelines:  Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).  They are there to ensure that you receive the help you need!! back to top

Lecture schedule The following is a tentative lecture schedule.  PLEASE NOTE THE READING ASSIGNMENTS.  You will understand the material better if you read the assigned material BEFORE the assigned date. Changes will be announced in class. You are responsible for any changes announced in class.   LECTURE AND READINGS SCHEDULE: Unit 1: January 12-16th: Topic: Neural Foundations of Behavior: The Basic Methods Readings: Chapter 1: What is biopsychology; Chapter 4: The methods and ethics of research Jan       12         Introduction to the class                                                                                    14         Origins of Psychology                                       16         Methods: Why study physiological           (no quiz this week; I will show a sample)                      19         No Class: Martin Luther King Day   Unit 2: January 21 -January 26: Intro to Cellular Structure Readings: Chapter 2: Function of the Nervous system                              Jan       21         The Neuron and synaptic transmission             23*       Synaptic Transmission    (Quiz 1)                                                                       26         Neurotransmitters                                                                                                Readings: Chapter 3: The functions of the Nervous System      Jan       28         Forebrain    30*       Mid Brain and hindbrain      (Quiz 2) Feb      02         Peripheral nervous system             04         Development of the nervous system                                                      06         TEST #1                                                                                                                        Unit 2: February 09-March 06: Motivation and Emotion: What makes us MOVE Reading: Chapter 5: Drugs, Addiction and Reward                                                       Feb       09       Opiates and stimulants                                       11         Psychodelics and other drugs             13*       Addiction                        (Quiz 3)                               Readings: Chapter 6: Motivation and Regulation of Internal States Feb      16         Homeostasis                                                                                         18         Hunger    20*       Evolutionary states and hunger    (Quiz 4)   Readings: Chapter 7: Biology and Sex and Gender                              Feb      23         Sex as motivator                                                                                                           25         Sexual development                                          27*        Errors of development and gender roles   (Quiz 5)                                                                       Readings: Chapter 8: Emotion and Health Mar       02        Emotions and theories                                                                                                   04         The Amygdala                                                                           06*        Test #2: PLAN AHEAD                                                    March 7-16: Spring Break   Unit 3: March 16-April 3: Interacting with the world Readings: Chapter 9: Hearing and Language Mar      16        The Ear                                                             18        Theories of Audition                                                                                                      20*       Language and Hearing   (Quiz 6)             Readings: Chapter 10: Vision and Visual Perception                                        Mar      23        Vision             25         Color and Form vision                                                               27*       Perception of objects, color and movement  (Quiz 7)                                                                         Readings: Chapter 11: The Body Senses and Movement             30         Proprioception and skin senses                                                                                     01         Vestibular and somatosensory Apr      03*        Pain                 (Quiz 8)   Unit IV: April 06-May 01: Complex Behavior Readings: Chapter 12: Learning and Memory               06         Learning redux             08         Biology of learning and                                                                         10*       Learning disabilities and the brain         (Quiz 9)                                                            Readings:  Chapter 13: Intelligence and Cognitive Functioning Apr     13         Test #3  15         Defining intelligence                                                                                                                 17         Biology of intelligence           (Quiz 10)                                                             Readings: Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders Apr     20          Schizophrenia           22          Affective disorders                                 24*         Anxiety disorders and autism         (Quiz 11)                                                                       Readings: Chapter 15: Sleep and Consciousness Apr     27        Sleep and dreaming            29        Neural bases of consciousness                                                                                                01        Review & conclusions                   (Quiz 12)      May   05         Test #4 during the Final Exam Period: Tuesday 7:50-10:50 AM

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