PSYCHOLOGY 260
Introduction to Physiological Psychology
Fall 2015
T/Th 2:00-3:15
Instructor:
Dr. Jennifer Thomas
Office hours: By appointment
Office: LS 110
Phone: 594-0681
Email: thomas3@mail.sdsu.edu
Teaching Assistants:
- Michael Berkebile (mberkebile@mail.sdsu.edu)
Office Hours: M 10:30-12:00, T 10:30-12; LS 24B
- Jessie McNichols
(jmcnicho@rohan.sdsu.edu)
Office Hours: T 4-5, W 11-12, Th 5-6; LS 24B
Overview
We are at a unique period of rapid growth in our understanding of the biological basis of behavior, an
understanding that has implications for how we view the causes of behavior, both normal and abnormal.
This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of brain action and behavior. Initially, we will
begin by examining the basic functioning of the nervous system and neuroanatomy, followed by the
biological bases of our sensations, movements and more "primitive" behaviors. Later, we will explore how
our brains give rise to more complex behaviors, including our emotions, language, dreams and selfawareness, and how drugs, brain disease, and damage can alter one's personality, indeed, one's self.
Hopefully, this course will leave you with a new perspective on the definition and substance of "mind".
Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Differentiate and evaluate philosophies of the mind-body problem
Identify brain structures and their function
Understand how neurons communicate with one another
Understand how drugs affect the nervous system and how drugs of abuse may lead to addiction
Understand the effects of stress on cognition and health
Recognize brain systems involved sensation, motor control, sleep, emotion, learning, and language
Use your knowledge of brain systems to predict the consequences of brain damage and disease
Understand the biological basis of psychopathology and why drug treatments may work
Additional Department Level Learning Objectives: In addition to those outlined above, other learning
objectives identified as important across the Psychology Curriculum that overlap with this course are:
Identify notable individuals together with their contributions to psychology (SLO 1.1)
Explain the nature-nurture controversy, and describe supportive findings from different areas of psychology
for each side (SLO 1.2)
Identify different parts of the brain and demonstrate knowledge of their function as they relate to the areas
which have been of most interest to psychologists and why (SLO1.4)
Identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems such as the pursuit and effect of healthy
lifestyles, origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, psychological tests and measurements,
psychology-based interventions, and the resolution of interpersonal and intercultural conflicts. (SLO 2.2)
Apply psychological concepts and research findings as these relate to everyday life (SLO 2.4)
Readings
Required Text:
Optional:
Biological Psychology (12th edition) by Kalat with Access Code to MindTap
(OR you can simply purchase the Access Code to MindTap which includes an
ebook)
Study Guide for Kalat’s Biological Psychology, Elaine M. Hull
The Kalat text provides an overview of important concepts within the study of
biological psychology. However, the lectures will expand on these concepts and
often cover material not discussed in your text, so it is imperative that you attend
class and that you prepare before class by reading the assigned chapters. This
will facilitate your understanding of the material and will also stimulate class
discussion. I will also provide handouts, assignments, and weblinks periodically
throughout the semester.
Resources
Website:
MindTap:
http://blackboard.sdsu.edu
This class has a website on Blackboard that contains the syllabus,
announcements, weblinks, handouts and additional study materials.
MindTap is a website companion to the textbook which contains an ebook,
additional information, animations and test quizzes. Homework assignments will
be made available through MindTap.
Also, there may be a few lectures that will be presented online via Wimba. You will
be notified when these lectures will occur and will be given directions to observe
those lectures. Finally, I reserve the right to make minor changes in the syllabus.
Information:
Course Evaluation
Grade Scale:
Grade Percentage:
Exams & Quizzes:
Class Policies
Please check the website once a week for announcements. Also, please feel
free to set up meeting times with me or the T.A.s if you are having difficulty with
concepts.
90-100% = A 80-90% = B 70-80% = C 60-70% = D <60% = F
75% - 3 Exams
20% - Quizzes
5% - Assignments
Your course grade will be based on 3 exams (2 midterms and a final), 5 quizzes,
and homework assignments. Five quizzes will be administered periodically
throughout the semester. You will be allowed to drop your lowest quiz score; the
average of the other four quizzes will constitute your total quiz grade. Each exam
is worth 25% of your grade and your quiz composite will be worth 20% of your
grade. Exams and quizzes will include a combination of multiple choice and short
answer questions.
No make-up exams will be given except in the unusual case of a doctor-treated
illness or serious family emergency. There will be no make-up quizzes.
Quizzes will held at the beginning of class, so if you are late, you will have less
time to complete the quiz.
You will need to purchase and bring F289 Scantrons to class on test and quiz
days.
Assignments will be made available through MindTap, the website that
accompanies the Kalat textbook.
Even though this is a large class, to be fair to your classmates, common courtesies are
required. Once you leave the classroom, you should not return, so bathroom breaks
should be taken before or after class. If you need to leave class early for a valid reason,
you should let me know at the beginning of class and sit next to the exit.
Cell phones are not permitted and should remain off and in your bag during the
duration of the class (this also means NO TEXTING). Failure to abide by this rule may
lead to your removal from the class, as well as vicious personal mockery.
Finally, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are found cheating
you will receive no credit for that exam/quiz and may receive an “F” for the entire
class and/or be expelled from the university.
Safety
To be prepared for emergencies, each student is responsible for becoming
familiar with the evacuation plan specific to each classroom. The evacuation
plan is posted within each classroom and should be examined on the first day of
class.
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for
this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619)
594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should
contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon
disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week 1
DATE
TOPIC
READINGS
Aug. 25/27
Intro to course
Introduction
Mind/Body Problem
Historical Issues
Chap. 1 (Module 1.1)
Cells of the Nervous System
Set up for Resting Potential
Week 2
Sept. 1/3
Neuronal Conduction:
Resting Potential /Action Potential
Synaptic Communication
QUIZ (Thurs. Sept. 3)
Chap. 1
(Module 1.2)
Chap. 2
Week 3
Sept. 8/10
MPTP Patients: Frozen Addicts
Neurotransmitters
Chap. 2
Week 4
Sept. 15/17
QUIZ (Tues., Sept. 15)
Drug Actions and Drugs of Abuse
Chap. 14
(Module 14.1)
Week 5
Sept. 22/24
Drug Addiction
Neuroanatomy
Chap. 3
Week 6
Sept. 29
Exam #1
Oct. 1
Vision
Chap. 5
Week 7
Oct. 6/8
Vision (cont)
Chap. 5
Week 8
Oct. 13/15
Somatosensation
Taste/ Olfaction
Chap. 6 &
p. 140-142
Week 9
Oct. 20/22
Movement
Movement Disorders
QUIZ (Tues., Oct 20)
Chap. 7
Week 10
Oct. 27/29
Sleeping and Dreaming
Sleep Disorders
QUIZ (Thur. Oct. 29)
Chap. 8
Week 11
Nov. 3
Nov. 5
Sex
Exam #2
Chap. 10
Week 12
Nov. 10/12
Emotional Behavior
Stress
Chap 11
Week 13
Nov. 17/19
Neurobiology of Learning & Memory
QUIZ (Thurs., Nov 19)
Chap 12
Week 14
Nov. 24
Neurobiology of Learning & Memory (cont)
Chap 12 &
p. 125-130
NO CLASS NOV. 26 THANKSGIVING
Week 15
Dec. 1/3
Lateralization & Language
Chap 13
Week 16
Dec. 8/10
Neurobiology of Psychopathology
Chap 14
(Modules 14.2 & 14.3)
FINAL EXAM.TUESDAY, DEC. 15 1:00 PM