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PSYCH 2101 Sabin 25 Sec 1 10:00 MWF Sec 2 11:00 MWF Dr. Linda L. Walsh |
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PSYCH 2101 Sabin 25 Sec 1 10:00 MWF Sec 2 11:00 MWF Dr. Linda L. Walsh |
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| PROFESSOR: | Dr. Linda L. Walsh |
| Office:
Baker 441 Office Hrs: 9-10:30 Th, 2:00-3:00 T; other times by appointment; drop-bys are welcome. Mailbox: Baker 334 |
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| Phone: 273-2690 Email: walsh@uni.edu | |
| Graduate
TA |
Gina
Sacchetti
sacchetg@uni.edu
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| Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Biopsychology is the subarea of psychology that takes a biological approach to understanding behavior. Biopsychologists study the biological events - genetic, neural, endocrine- that underlie each and every one of our thoughts, feelings, and actions . Research in this area focuses on the relationship between brain and behavior but often extends to physiological processes elsewhere in the body (e.g. stomach, glands). This course will introduce you to the methods biopsychologists employ to investigate the biological underpinnings of behavior. It will explore what is currently known about the biological basis of emotional responses, mental illness, sexual behavior, memory, states of consciousness, sensory perception, thought and language, and several neurological disorders. Before delving into these topics this course will provide the necessary foundation - background on basic nervous system anatomy and functioning and an introduction to genetics. We will make use of a combination of lecture, class activities, and a few out-of-class assignments. |
Resources for Biopsychology:
Neuroscience for Kids -
Glossary
Glossary of Genetic Terms
Kalat
Study Aids
Etymology of Neuroscience
Terms
Biopsychology
Newslink
Common Behavior Genetic Terms
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| The digital anatomist A very comprehensive site featuring pictures and 3 dimensional reconstruction of the human brain. On-line quiz on each image. (slow and shaky connection). |
| The whole brain atlas: A comprehensive atlas of 2 dimensional scans of the human brain using techniques such as CT or MRI, including normal anatomy and pathology. |
Some
general comments on the course and grading:
Many students are nervous
about taking a psychology class that is so biological.
Like courses in the natural sciences, there is a fair
amount of new vocabulary - much of which is hard to
pronounce and requires some special effort to learn. I
believe that any student - no matter what their
background- can do well on our exams if they are
conscientious about doing the reading, attending class,
and making use of some "active" study techniques
(flashcards, practice test questions, re-copying notes) -
doing something to drill other than just
re-reading class material. But since some students suffer
from test anxiety and feel their test performance does not
reflect what they are learning, I have included a variety
of assignments as other ways in which you can earn points
and demonstrate your grasp of class material.
Requirements
Take the online genetics quiz to make sure you are ready for the next assignment (5 pts) (due 1/25) You may turn in a hard copy or email your answers to Gina (sacchetg@uni.edu).
Family
Genetics : Tracing Trait Inheritance in Your
Family (up to 30 pt) (Due 2/1)
Investigate the pattern of inheritance in
your family. For each of 6 traits record the
phenotype shown by each family member and then try to
deduce their genotype by looking at the distribution of
trait characteristics in family members. If you don't have
blood relatives easily available but do have access to
another family (boyfriend's, girlfriend's, roommate's,
etc.), you may use them for your data sample. A handout
will be provided.
Online Brain Anatomy
Exercises Know Your Anatomy*
Know your Lobes!!* (10 Pts) Due 2/6 You may turn in
hard copies or email your results to
Gina (sacchetg@uni.edu).
Brain
Game Neuroanatomy Notes (up to
10 pt + EC) (Due 2/8) Note: the
assignment and game should help you prepare for the test.
Read class notes and the anatomy Modules of
the text as well as the following websites providing
information on the functions
of different regions: Explore
the
NS (click on Divisions of the Nervous System,
Functional Divisions of the Cortex, Right Down the Middle,
and Split Brain Experiments), Lobes,
and Areas
of Cerebral Cortex (by the way, these last 2
are from a site in Brazil- sometimes you may not get
connected, but keep trying!). Complete the neuroanatomy
handout noting the location and, whenever possible,
the function of all the parts of the brain and
nervous system listed on the handout. You might also
want to make yourself some diagrams and also include any
additional brain regions we have already discussed in
class. You’ll use your assignment to help your team earn
extra credit points in the brain game. Everyone who turns
in a satisfactorily completed handout will earn 10 pts.
Rules
for The Brain Game
1. Bring your completed handout to
class to receive 10 assignment points. No completed
handout, no points, no exceptions. Your handout will be
very important to you and your group because you cannot
use your textbook to answer questions. You may however
supplement your handout with additional diagrams or notes
that you think may help you during the game.
2. Sit with your group.You will share
notes and work together with others in your group to
answer questions and win points.
3. During the game each group will use
their knowledge of brain anatomy and the functions of
different parts of the nervous system to either locate the
region of brain involved in a particular case or
"diagnose" what area of the brain is damaged on the basis
of behavioral symptoms. I’ll give your group a set
of symptoms – e.g. a person who has a brain tumor that
causes deafness – and your group will identify which brain
area may be involved.
4. Correct Answer: If your group
answers correctly, your group receives a point. If your
group answers incorrectly, you receive no points and the
next group can steal the question.
Online Neuron Structure
Exercise (10 Pts) Hard
copy due 2/15.
The Ear due 3/13 You may turn in hard copies or email your results to Gina (sacchetg@uni.edu).
Eye
and
Visual Pathway due 3/27. You
may turn in hard copies or The Eye may be emailed to Gina (sacchetg@uni.edu), but there is no automatic email for the
Visual Pathway.
Testosterone Assignment
(30 pts) (Real Player
Help) Due 4/17.
Listen to
Testosterone Show (click on
little speaker icon)
Link to
download RealPlayer if necessary
Listen to the 3 cases presented in the
first 45 minutes of this archived National Public Radio
show from the program "This American Life".
React to the impact of hormones on the
individuals and answer the
questions about
each case in terms of the physiological mechanisms we
discussed in class.
In
-Class Group Work (~ 30 points over the semester)
Periodically we will do point-earning
in-class group work. Most often there will be work sheets
that accompany these activities. Successful completion of
the worksheet and associated activity earns points for the
participating group members. These points cannot be made
up if you are absent. I'm hoping the group work will be
fun and improve your learning and motivation.
10 pt Extra Credit. Keep a blank videotape or DVD handy to record any shows, segments, or news reports on the biological issues we cover in this class or search online for relevant segments.. Turn the tape/DVD/url in to me with a summary of the program, why you think it's relevant to the class, and a critical evaluation of the segment using an evaluation handout.(tape/DVD will be returned). May be done once for credit.
Makeup exams are
strongly discouraged; if a makeup is necessary you
must contact me on or before the scheduled day of
the regular exam, provide documentation concerning why you must miss the exam, and
the makeup must be taken before the exams are
returned to the class. Makeup exams will include an
extra page of essay questions. Except under
extraordinary circumstances, only 1 makeup exam per
student will be allowed per semester.
Grading: You must have a passing
average (60% or better) to pass this course. If you have a
passing test average, then your grade will be based on the
total number of points accumulated during the semester.
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| "Gentlemen,
look on this wonder! Whatever the bids of the bidders, They cannot be high enough for it; For it the globe lay preparing quintillions of years, without one animal or plant; For it the revolving cycles truly and steadily roll'd. In this head the all-baffling brain; In it and below it, the makings of heroes." - Walt Whitman - I Sing the Body Electric, 1855 |
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