SYLLABUS
PSY308 Biopsychology - WB
Fall 2020
Unique: 41305
Time: TTH 11:00-12:30
Instructor: Hongjoo Joanne Lee
Email: leehj@austin.utexas.edu
Content: This course is an introduction to the biological basis of psychological processes and behavior. We
will first cover the basic foundations of the nervous system, such as anatomy and physiology. Then, we will
study how the nervous system underlies our perception, motor skills, basic needs such as eating and sleeping,
emotions, memory and many basic behaviors involved in daily life. We will also talk about various brain
disorders. This course also covers other basic concepts, findings and research in the field of Biopsychology.
Lecture: All the lectures will be run asynchronously. I will release prerecorded lectures with accompanying
PowerPoint slides according to our class schedule via Canvas.
Textbook: Biological Psychology by James Kalat (optional)
Grading Policy: The course grade will be based on quizzes and examinations. Quizzes will be made up of
multiple-choice questions. Exams will be a mixed format of short-answer questions and essay-style questions.
Quizzes will be implemented after each lecture. It is mainly intended to ensure that you are keeping up with the
lecture materials and progressing on schedule. It is also a way for you to gauge your comprehension level of the
class materials. You will be responsible for listening to the lectures and completing quizzes in a timely manner.
The quizzes will be available until the next lecture and quizzes are released. There will be four exams during
our designated class time, each covering about one-fourth of the course materials.
Any grading disputes or corrections must be brought to the instructor’s (not the TA’s) attention within one week
after the exam has been graded. Afterwards, no grade adjustments to the exam will be made. Your overall class
grade will be based on your performance on quizzes (40% towards your grade) and exams (each exam counting
15% towards your grade).
Letter grade cutoffs are as follows:
93-100 = A
90-92.9 = A-
87-89.9 = B+
83-86.9 = B
80-82.9 = B-
77-79.9 = C+
73-76.9 = C
70-72.9 = C-
67-69.9 = D+
63-66.9 = D
60-62.9 = D-
< 60 = F
Accommodations: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic
accommodations for qualified students. If they certify your needs, I will work with you to make appropriate
arrangements. http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/
Additional information:
A. Canvas will be used to distribute course materials, to communicate, and to post grades.
B. Use of E-mail is the University’s official correspondence. Thus, you are encouraged to check your email on a regular basis.
C. Attendance will not be taken and factored into grading, but you are responsible for the materials and
information discussed in the lectures and communicated via email.
Academic Integrity: Cheating or plagiarizing on assignments does not allow for an accurate assessment of
your progress and undermines the assessment of other students’ progress. Therefore, cheating or plagiarism will
not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be handled on a case by case basis. For more information
about policies regarding academic integrity, please refer to the Office of the Dean of Students at
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/
Title IX Reporting: Title IX is a federal law that protects against sex and gender-based discrimination, sexual
harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence and stalking at federally funded
educational institutions. UT Austin is committed to fostering a learning and working environment free from
discrimination in all its forms. When sexual misconduct occurs in our community, the university can:
1.Intervene to prevent harmful behavior from continuing or escalating.
2.Provide support and remedies to students and employees who have experienced harm or have become
involved in a Title IX investigation.
3.Investigate and discipline violations of the university’s relevant policies.
Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the professor and TAs for this course are required to report for further
investigation any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and
stalking committed by or against a UT student or employee. Federal law and university policy also requires
reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct (collectively known as Title
IX incidents). This means we cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with
us. If you need to talk with someone who can maintain confidentiality, please contact University Health
Services (512-471-4955 or 512-475-6877) or the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center (512-471-3515 or
512-471-2255). We strongly urge you to make use of these services for any needed support and that you report
any Title IX incidents to the Title IX Office.
Diverse and inclusive learning environment: The Department of Psychology values the richness and open
dialogue that diversity brings to our community. Diversity refers to individual differences that broadly include
ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
We appreciate that diversity enriches both the departmental social climate and the scope and depth of the
department’s research mission. As a department, we are fully committed to a journey of inclusion and justice
for all students from groups that are marginalized or minoritized. We acknowledge this has not always been the
case to the extent that it should have been. Our department is in the process of diversifying and creating identity
safety for all students.
In keeping with the department’s values, I am committed to creating a learning environment that is safe and
supportive of your identity and perspective. In addition, I will honor your request to address you by a name and
gender pronoun you use (she/he/they/ze, etc). If you need additional support, these are some of the available
resources on campus.
Division of Diversity and Community Engagement https://diversity.utexas.edu/
Gender and Sexuality Center https://diversity.utexas.edu/genderandsexuality/
Multicultural Engagement Center https://diversity.utexas.edu/multiculturalengagement/
Course outline
The following schedule is only approximate, and subject to change during the semester.
Date
Topic
Readings (optional)*
Unit 1: Foundations
Aug 27, Sept 1
The anatomy of the nervous system
Chapter 4
Sept 3, 8
Neurophysiology and neurotransmission
Chapters 2, 3
Sept 10
Neurotransmitters
Chapter 3
Sept 15
Drug actions
Chapter 3
Sept 17
TEST 1
Unit 2: Sensory and Motor Systems
Sept 22
Visual system
Chapter 6
Sept 24, 29
Auditory, chemical, & somatosensory systems
Chapter 7
Oct 1
Motor system
Chapter 8
Oct 6
Neural plasticity and stroke
Chapter 5
Oct 8
TEST 2
Unit 3: Motivated Behaviors and Memory
Oct 13
Ingestive behavior
Chapter 10
Oct 15
Reproductive behavior
Chapter 12
Oct 20
sleep and dreaming
Chapter 9
Oct 22, 27
Learning and memory
Chapter 13
Oct 29
TEST 3
Unit 4: Brain Disorders
Nov 3, 5
Anxiety disorders
Chapter 12
Nov 10
Mood disorders
Chapter 15
Nov 12
Schizophrenia
Chapter 15
Nov 17, 19
Neurodegenerative disease
Chapters 8,13
Nov 24
TEST 4
*based on 11th edition