Brain & Behavior
PSYC/BIOL 3322, Section 001, Summer 2014
Life Science Building – Room LS122
MTWTh (1:00-3:00 P.M.)
Instructor: Kellen Gandy & James Schaeffer
Office Number: LS Room 505 & 513
Email Address: kellen.gandy@mavs.uta.edu & james.schaeffer@mavs.uta.edu
Office Hours: Kellen: M 12:00pm – 1:00pm; James: W 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Course Description
This course will provide a comprehensive review of the physiological processes that underlie
animal and human behavior.
Student Learning Objectives
Students are expected to learn how the nervous system works and the underlying neural
mechanisms of behavior. Topics will include: anatomical structure, molecular basis, sensory and
motor systems, neurotransmitters, control of hunger, thirst, temperature, emotional disorders and
schizophrenia, etc.
Required Textbook(s) and Materials:
Biological Psychology, 11th edition by James W. Kalat. This is the required edition for this
course. Students should use their own discretion if purchasing an older edition. Optional
supplemental text for the student’s personal benefit: Study Guide for Kalat’s Biological
Psychology by Elaine M. Hull
Grading Policy and Final Grades
Your final grade in this course will be determined by your performance on two exams (100
possible points each) and a final exam (100 possible points). The final is not comprehensive. All
material reviewed from class PowerPoints, lecture, textbook, videos, and in-class activities may
appear on the exams. There will be no extra credit offered for this course.
85-100%= A
75-84.9 = B
65-74.9 = C
55-64.9 = D
0-54.9 = F
Grade Inquiries
Students’ grades will be communicated via blackboard. Under no circumstances will information
about grades be sent through email. If you have any concerns about your grade or progress in the
course, please visit our office hours immediately after a concern arises. Grades will only be
calculated using the predefined grading policies mentioned above. Additionally, inquiries about
grades or other confidential classroom information will not be provided to non-students
regardless if the individual is related to you or financing your tuition.
Make-up Policy
Makeup exams will be given only if documentation is provided that indicates that circumstances
beyond a student’s control prevented them from taking a scheduled exam. A note from a friend
or family member is not acceptable documentation. A request for a makeup exam must be made
before or no later than the next class period following the missed exam.
Drop Policy
There will be no grade given if a student appropriately drops a course before 5:00 p.m. on the
Census Date, July 14, 2014. Additionally, the student may drop the course by the date specified
by the University of Texas at Arlington, July 29, 2014. Please refer to the online University
academic calendar for these dates and more information (http://www.uta.edu/uta/acadcal.php).
Classroom Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves within the realms of student policies at the
University of Texas at Arlington. Students should respect the learning opportunities of others and
themselves and not disrupt the classroom by using cell phones, social networking, cheating and
/or engaging in disruptive conversation with others. Students who fail to act in accordance with
university guidelines may be asked to leave the classroom and possibly face disciplinary action
from the university administration.
Academic Dishonesty
“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a
student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter
VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2., Subdivision 3.22). Academic dishonesty is an unacceptable
conduct for this course and will not be tolerated. All students involved in academic dishonesty
will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures and may be
suspended or expelled from the University. Please refer to
http://www.uta.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/ for more student affair information.
Students with Disabilities Policy
Students with disabilities that attend the University of Texas at Arlington will be accommodated
in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and students will not be discriminated
against concerning the disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be
guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation please notify the
instructor at the beginning of the semester and so the appropriate measures can be taken to
ensure the best learning environment for each student.
Student Support Services
Students who require assistance should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817272-6107 for further information. Student support services include but are not limited to
admission and transition, learning assistance, advising and mentoring, developmental education,
and federally funded programs.
Bomb Threats
If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will attempt to trace the phone
call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of
presentations/tests caused by bomb threats. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for
these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of alternate class sites in the event that your
classroom is not available.
Class Schedule – Summer 2014
Date
July 8- 10
July 14 - 17
July 21 - 24
July 28 - 31
Aug. 4 - 7
Aug 11 (Monday)
Course Material
Chapter 1: The Major Issues
Chapter 2: Nerve Cell and Nerve Impulses
Chapter 3: Synapses
Chapter 4: Anatomy of the Nervous
System
Chapter 5: Development and Plasticity of
the Brain
Exam I (Ch 1 – 5)
Chapter 6: Vision
Chapter 7: Other Sensory Systems
Chapter 8: Movement
Chapter 9: Wakefulness and Sleep
Chapter 10: Internal Regulation
Chapter 11: Reproductive Behaviors
Exam II (Ch 6 – 10)
Chapter 12: Emotional Behaviors
Chapter 13: The Biology of Learning and
Memory
Chapter 14: Cognitive Functions
Chapter 15: Mood Disorders and
Schizophrenia
Final (Ch 11 - 15)
Important Dates
Census Date – July 14th
Exam I – July 17th
Last day to drop – July 29th
Exam II – July 30th
Final Exam (1:00 – 3:00 P.M.)