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Psych 1216 (2134, #28365)
Health Psychology
MWF 11:00 - 11:50
209 Krebs
Dr. Alan H. Teich
Office: 210E Krebs Hall
Hours: 12:00-1:00 MWF; 11-12:30 TTh
or by appointment
Email: ateich@pitt.edu
Webpage: http://faculty.upj.pitt.edu/ateich/
Required Text:
Sarafino, E. P. (2011). Health Psychology (7th Ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
This course, Psych 1216 - Health Psychology, will examine a multidisciplinary field involved with the
acquisition, integration, and application of psychological and biomedical research findings relevant to
health and health-related issues. In particular, behavioral principles are joined with traditional biomedical
approaches for the purpose of developing strategies relevant to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
of illness. By the end of this course, you should:
 understand the scientific method and its application to the study of health and illness
 be aware of major psychological factors contributing to health and illness
 be familiar with physiological systems and their operations under healthy and unhealthy
conditions
 understand the use of psychological approaches for the modulation of physiological systems
and the treatment of a variety of health problems and diseases
COURSE STRUCTURE and POLICIES
Exams
There will be five exams throughout the term. Each exam will consist of a combination multiple-choice,
short-answer, and/or essay questions that will cover factual and conceptual information drawn from the
assigned readings and class lectures. Each exam will cover 2-4 major topics in detail and be worth 100
points. Please make every effort to take each exam during the scheduled time. I will give make-up exams
at my convenience providing that you have a reasonable excuse for missing the exam and tell me before
the scheduled exam time. The make-up exam may differ from the missed exam.
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Grading
Points from each exam and the paper will count toward your final course grade. Final grades will be
determined using the objective scale below:
A+ = 490 - 500 (98+%)
A = 460 - 489 (92 - 97.9%)
A- = 450 - 459 (90 - 91.9%)
B+ = 440 - 449 (88 - 89.9%)
B = 410 - 439 (82 - 81.9%)
B- = 400 - 409 (80 - 81.9%)
C+ = 390 - 399 (78 - 79.9%)
C = 360 - 389 (72 - 77.9%)
C- = 350 - 359 (70 - 71.9%)
D+ = 340 - 349 (68 - 69.9%)
D = 310 - 339 (62 - 67.9%)
D- = 300 – 309 (60 - 61.9%)
F =
0 - 299 (<59.9)
This method of grading, using an objective criterion, has been chosen over the method of "curve grading",
in which a student's performance is evaluated relative to the overall performance of the rest of the class,
because I feel that the grade a student receives in the class should, at least in principle, be reflective of the
degree of competence that student has in terms of the objective amount of material mastered, and not a
relative class ranking.
There is no curve in grading; however, I reserve the right to give favorable consideration to those of you
who are on the border between two grades, have actively participated in class, and have shown
improvement in your exam scores.
Attendance
Attending class is your responsibility since you are paying to be here. It is, of course, in your
best interest to attend every class since exam questions will come from lecture material as well
as text material.
Add / Drop a Class
The period to add or drop a class for the Spring Semester (2134) ends on Friday, 18 January
2013. The last day to withdraw from a class is Friday, 8 March 2013. If you want to drop a
course after the 8 March date, you must get the appropriate form from the Assistant Vice
President for Academic Affairs / Director of Student Academic Services (G-16B Owen, (814)
269-2077) and obtain the faculty member’s signature before returning it to the Office of the
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs / Director of Student Academic Services.
Academic Success Center and Tutoring Services
If you find yourself having difficulty in this class, please come in to see me. In addition, the
Academic Counselors in the Academic Success Center, located in Owen G-16
(http://www.upj.pitt.edu/285/), can assist you in staying on track academically. You may
complete an on-line request for an individual tutor at the ASC’s website, where you may also
access information regarding drop-in tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions.
Tutoring and other ASC services are free to all students. In the event you receive notification
from the ASC regarding your performance in class, be sure to follow-through to obtain
assistance. The Academic Counselors are committed to helping all students maximize
academic potential.
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Excuse for Prolonged Absences
In the event of a prolonged absence due to illness, death in your family, etc. (more than a single
class or single day), you must immediately contact the Office of the Assistant to the Vice
President of Academic Affairs (G-16B Owen, (814) 269-2077) to be excused from your classes.
Incomplete Grades
The grade of I (for incomplete) is accorded in situations when the course is intended to continue
past the time for recording of grades. The grade of G indicates that the student has requested,
and the Professor has granted, extra time to complete course requirements. The G grade will be
carried on the student’s academic record only until the end of the succeeding term. At that time,
the Professor will be asked to submit a grade of A-F, or HSU.
Disability Services
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact your instructor and the Office of Health & Wellness, G10 Student Union,
(814) 269-7119 / (814) 269-7186 early as possible in the term. The Office of Health & Wellness
will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Cheating
Cheating, which includes plagiarism, is completely unacceptable. It will not be tolerated in any
Psychology class. Any student suspected of cheating will be subjected to the established
University procedures for judgment of the accusation; if the student is found to have cheated,
the professor will recommend either a course grade of F or dismissal from the University,
depending on the student's prior record of cheating. Students are responsible for reading and
understanding the University guidelines for academic integrity and procedures. These are
included in the following document available from the Vice President for Academic Affair's
office: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Guidelines on Academic Integrity. It is the
students' responsibility to understand and follow these guidelines.
Policies related to cheating and plagiarism are vigorously supported and enforced by each
member of the Psychology Department.
Cell Phones / electronic Devices
Please refrain from using your cell phones / electronic devices during class. I understand how
important these devices are to you but emailing, texting, and/or surfing the web during class
time is, in my mind, disruptive, rude, and inconsiderate.
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Psych 1216 - Health Psychology (2134, #28365)
Please note that this schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or events. I will make every effort to follow this
schedule but if it should change, you will be notified as soon as possible and arrangements will be made to minimize scheduling
problems for you.
Date
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Lecture Topic
7
9
11
14
16
18
21
23
25
28
30
1
4
6
8
11
13
15
18
20
22
25
27
1
4
6
8
10-17
18
20
22
25
27
29
1
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
Assignment
Introduction
Overview of Psych and Health
1
Physical Systems of the Body
2
Martin Luther King, Junior Day - No Class
Exam #1
Stress: It’s Meaning and Impact
3
Stress, Biopsychosocial Factors, & Illness
4
Coping with Stress
5
Exam #2
Health-Related Behavior and Promotion
6
Substance Use and Abuse
7
Nutrition Weight Control, Diet, Exercise, & Safety
8
Spring Break - Enjoy!
Exam #3
The Nature and Symptoms of Pain
11
Managing and Controlling Clinical Pain
12
Exam #4
Chronic Illness
13
Heart Disease, Stroke, Cancer, & AIDS
14
April 22 - Monday
FINAL EXAM #5 209 Krebs
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