Pittsburg State University – College of Education – Department of Psychology & Counseling
Physiological Psychology - 01 – 3 credit hours
Spring 2010, TuTh 3:30 – 4:45, WH 101
Instructor:
Phone:
Office:
Email:
Gwen Murdock, Ph.D.
620-235-4524
WH 208A
gmurdock@pittstate.edu
Office hours: M: 2:50-5:00
Tu: 10:00 – 12:00 & 1:00 - 3:30,
W: 2:50 – 4:00
Th: 1:00 - 3:30
F: 2:50 – 4:00 or by appointment.
Course description: Relationships between various body systems and behavior with special emphasis on
latest relevant empirical data.
Course objectives: At the end of the course the student will be able to identify and describe:
1. the basic structure of the human nervous system and its subsystems.
2. the structure and function of cells within the nervous system.
3. how neural messages are conducted within a neuron.
4. how neurons communicate with each other.
5. how the nervous system develops.
6. the role of natural selection in the structure and function of the human nervous system.
7. methods used to investigate nervous system structure and function.
Text: Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I.Q. (2006) Introduction to brain and behavior. NY: Worth ISBN: 0716711877.
The web site for the text will be used for in-class activities:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/kolbintro2e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid=0&rau=0
Course Schedule:
The course will cover the material from the first seven chapters of the textbook in the order listed by the
author. Depending on time remaining in the semester, we will decide as a class what material from the
remaining text will covered.
Chapter 1: What are the origins of brain and behavior?
Chapter 2: How does the nervous system function?
Chapter 3: What are the units of nervous system function?
Chapter 4: How do neurons transmit information?
Chapter 5: How do neurons communicate and adapt?
Chapter 6: How does the brain develop and adapt?
Chapter 7: How do drugs and hormones influence the brain and behavior?
Important Dates:
Exams: Feb. 11th, March 11th, April 15th, & May 13th
Final exam: Thursday, May 13th, 3:30 p.m.
Grading:
Exams (20% each) = 80%
In class activities = 20%
Final grade assignment: 90-100 = A; 75-89 = B; 60-74 = C; 50-59 = D; 0-49 = F.
Exams will be based on reading assignments, lectures, class discussions and activities. The exams will
consist of short answer and essay questions. The material in the course is cumulative, by its very nature.
Expect to be graded on your ability to continually integrate material from the beginning of the semester
into what you are currently being examined on. A study guide will be distributed before each exam, which
will consist of basic definition items to know and the scope of material that will be the basis for the essay
questions.
ANGEL: All handouts, lecture outlines, study guides and grades will be posted on Angel. Power point slides
will not be posted. If you must miss a lecture for any reason, you are still responsible for the material
covered in class that day and must get the class notes from another student. You are encouraged to use
Angel to post materials for your fellow group members.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Some faculty members describe specific rules about classroom behavior that they
will not allow. These include specific rules about cell phones, texting, computer use, coming late, leaving
early, etc.
In this class, you may do whatever you want in this classroom as long as the instructor and other
students are not aware of you doing anything except taking notes, asking questions, participating in class
discussion or sitting quietly. It is rude to others if you distract them from class activities. It is a waste of
time to sit in class and doing something other than focusing on classwork.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: Periodically during the semester, we will do various individual and group activities.
The total number of points awarded to these activities will count 20% of your grade. If you do not attend
class regularly, you will miss these points. There is no way to make up missed points.
MAKEUP EXAMS: Missed exams will only be made up by one comprehensive make up exam scheduled at
the very end of the semester, regardless of the reason for missing the exam. If a missed exam is not made
up at the final, it will count as a zero.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: While there are no formal papers for this class, my standards for academic
integrity still hold. Cheating involves copying another person’s work when it is assumed that the work is
your independent scholarship. Plagarism includes citing sources without proper documentation and
copying the text of another person’s writing without acknowledging it as a direct quote. If you have any
questions about whether a particular behavior is appropriate for this class, please ask me. Plagarism and
cheating are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. People who exhibit such behaviors will receive
appropriate punishment, possibly failing the class.
Special concerns: If you have a disabling condition requiring accommodation in meeting class
requirements, please contact me as soon as possible at the end of the first class period.