I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 1/27/11)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab X
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Psychology
Course #
250N
Course Title
Prerequisite
Fundamentals of Biological Psychology
Introduction to Psychology
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
3
Date
Instructor
(Robert) Stuart Hall
Phone / Email X5667
Program Chair Nabil Haddad
Dean
Dean Chris Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew X
Change
Remove
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
NA
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1. Courses explore a discipline in the natural
sciences and demonstrate how the scientific
method is used within the discipline to draw
scientific conclusions.
2. Courses address the concept of analytic
uncertainty and the rigorous process required to
take an idea to a hypothesis and then to a
validated scientific theory.
The basic focus of this course is exploring
brain-behavior relationships. As such,
examples from research in the basic
neurosciences and neuropsychology are used
to support the material throughout the
course. Working through these examples
always includes a discussion of the
methodology (i.e., scientific method) used in
these experiments - including how flawed
methodology may lead to erroneous
conclusions.
Much of the research in the biological bases
of behavior address specific questions but
leave much of the puzzle unsolved and yet to
be determined. This is discussed throughout
the course. Examples that have led to clear
cut results, moving from hypothesis to
validated theory are provided, as well as
some that have not yet met these criteria. As
an example, functional imaging studies of
the brain are providing scientists with a
wealth of new information, yet the precise
meaning of this information is often unclear.
Also, see #1 above.
Not a lab course.
3. Lab courses engage students in inquiry-based
learning activities where they formulate a
hypothesis, design an experiment to test the
hypothesis, and collect, interpret, and present
the data to support their conclusions.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1. understand the general principles associated
Students will learn how individual cells
with the discipline(s) studied;
function in the central nervous system, how
they form functional systems (e.g.,
movement), as well as the neural correlates
of complex behaviors such as emotional
states, memory and sleep.
2. understand the methodology and activities
Students will examine research in biological
scientists use to gather, validate and interpret
psychology from both the animal and
data related to natural processes;
human literature that illustrates how data is
collected and used in this discipline.
3. detect patterns, draw conclusions, develop
conjectures and hypotheses, and test them by
appropriate means and experiments;
In reviewing research in the area, students
will be asked to critique the studies
presented in terms of how well they
addressed their hypotheses and whether the
results supported the hypotheses.
Alternative methodologies and explanations
will be explored.
4. understand how scientific laws and theories
Students will examine how both laboratory
are verified by quantitative measurement,
research and behavioral data are measured
scientific observation, and logical/critical
and quantified and will engage in critical
reasoning; and
examination of the conclusions obtained.
5. understand the means by which analytic
Students will be exposed to the wealth of
uncertainty is quantified and expressed in the
information that we have gathered on brainnatural sciences.
behavior relationships, the difficulty
inherent in arriving at a complete
understanding of the workings of the central
nervous system, and the limitations this
imposes.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
This course has one prerequisite, is 3 credits and is offered at the 200 level.
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
PSYX 250 - FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor:
Text:
Meeting Times:
Office Hours:
Important Dates:
Stuart Hall, Ph.D.
Kalat, James W. (2013) Biological Psychology - 11th ed.
TR 11:10-12:30; SS 352
TR 12:30-2 and by appointment; Skaggs 207
•Oct. 29 is the last day to drop classes with an add/drop
form. After that date, no petitions to drop the course will be
signed and no Incompletes will be given except in
documentable emergency situations. Check with Registrar’s
office:
http://www.umt.edu/catalog/acad/acadpolicy/default.ht
m
•Nov 21-23-Thanksgiving Holiday
•Other important information will be announced in class.
Study resources: http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781111831004
General Information
This class will be conducted according to University policies (e.g., incompletes,
disability accommodations) and the Student Conduct Code.
Goals & Objectives
•Learn the different cells that compose the central nervous system (CNS).
•Understand how electrical and chemical events cause neurons to influence
the activity of one another.
•Learn the basic anatomy of the CNS
•Gain familiarity with some techniques to study the CNS.
•Learn the anatomy and physiology of the sensory and motor systems.
•Gain familiarity with the anatomy and physiology of complex behaviors such
as sleep, anxiety, reinforcement, memory and language.
Tests/Grades
Grades will be based on the 3 best test scores (equally weighted). Each test
will be worth 50 points; therefore, the final grade will be based on a possible
total of 150 points (150-135 points=A, 134 120 points=B, 119-105 points=C, 104-90
points=D, 89 points and below=F). Test 1 covers section 1 lectures and
chapters 2, 3 & 4. Test 2 covers section 2 lectures and chapters 6, 7, & 8. Test 3
covers section 3 lectures and chapters 9, 12 , 13, & 14. Test 4 is an optional
comprehensive final exam. The format for all tests will be 50 multiple-choice
questions. A plus/minus grading system will not be used.
Makeup Policy
The final exam is optional; grades are based on the 3 best scores. If you have
to miss a scheduled exam, the final will serve as the make-up for the missed
test. The final can also be used to substitute for a score on an earlier exam.
Lectures and Reading Assignments
You will be responsible for all information from the lectures as well as the text-including material in the reading assignments not covered in class. Regular
attendance is critical. Please be sure to keep up with your reading and attend
lectures. Important announcements will be made throughout classes.
Academic Honesty
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is
subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary
sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student
Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at:
http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student conduct.php
Accommodating Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability who will require reasonable program
modifications in this course, please meet with Disability Services for Students in
Lommasson 154 for assistance in developing a plan to address program
modifications. If you are already working with Disability Services arrange to
meet with me during my office hours to discuss reasonable modifications that
may be necessary. For more information, visit the Disability Services website at
http://www.umt.edu/disability.
PSYX 250
FALL 2012 CLASS SCHEDULE
Section 1
Reading:
Topics:
Chapters 2, 3 & 4
Neurons & Glia, Resting Potential, Action Potential, Synaptic
Transmission, Drugs, Neuroanatomy, Research Methods
TEST 1 October 2
Section 2
Reading:
Topics:
Chapters 6, 7 (modules 7.1 and 7.2) & 8
Visual System, Auditory System, Somatosensory System, Movement
TEST 2 October 30
Section 3
Reading:
Topics:
Chapters 9, 12, 13 & 14
Sleep, Reinforcement, Anxiety & Aggression, Learning & Memory,
Lateralization of Function, Language
TEST 3 December 6
FINAL EXAM: December 12
10:10-12:10
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.