PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC.465(565).001
Spring, 2008
Bryan D. Devan, Ph.D.
CLASS MEETING: Psychology Bldg, Rm 407, Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:00–3:15 PM
OFFICE AND PHONE: Psychology Bldg., Rm 512B; 410.704.3727
OFFICE HOURS: Mon/Wed, 1:00-2:00 PM; Tu, 2:00-3:00 PM
EMAIL: bdevan@towson.edu
WEBSITE: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/Welcome.htm
TEXTBOOK:
Pinel, J.P.J. (2006). Biopsychology (6th Ed.) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the physiological bases of behavior. The topics to be
considered are basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, sensory and motor systems, memory
systems, and “higher order” behavioral systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: 9
units of PSYC or consent of instructor; BIOL 110 or 115.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic/broad
understanding of the biological foundations of behavior through a survey of theoretical
perspectives and research findings in different subfields of biopsychology (defined as the
scientific study of the biology of behavior). Although an exhaustive account of topics is not
possible in a one-semester course, the general goals will include: 1) a review of basic concepts in
psychology and neuroscience to understand some contemporary problems biopsychologists are
attempting to answer, 2) a description of the research methods used in different subfields of
biopsychology and 3) a discussion of the former concepts and methods to promote critical
thinking and evaluation of biopsychological research findings.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will include a combination of lecture material, including
multimedia presentations, and open discussion of topics. The course is not constructed such that
the lectures will stand alone. You are expected to do the assigned readings before our discussion
of the material in class (that is, if the material will be discussed). Given the complexity of the
material, this may mean that you will have to read the assigned text more than once in order to
fully comprehend the material, especially if you have very little college background in the
biological sciences. I will make time to answer questions and review very difficult reading
material in class. However, I expect that you will be prepared for class by having read the
assigned chapters/sections beforehand.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Examinations: There will be three equally weighted exams in this course covering material from
both the book and lectures. The format for these exams will be multiple choice and short
answer/short essay. Exams are given on the dates scheduled. Make-up exams will only be given
if an exam is missed due to a medical emergency or a religious holiday (a doctor’s note with the
physician’s phone number must be presented in case of a medical emergency). No other reasons
will be accepted. If you are going to miss an exam, you must contact me in advance of the exam.
If you do not contact me in advance, you will not be permitted to make up the exam and will
receive a 0 for that exam. All makeup examinations will be short essay in format and must be
completed within three days of the student’s return to class. It is the student's responsibility to
arrange this time with the instructor.
Article Summary: Each student will write a brief summary (approximately 2 typed, doublespaced pages) of one recent (no older than 2002) primary literature journal article concerning
some aspect of neurological/neuropsychological functioning (a list of suggested topics will be
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provided). The summary should include a brief description of the study objectives, the basic
methods used in the study, the basic results of the study, and conclusions. A copy of the journal
article (including reference section) must be included with the summary.
Presentation: Each student will give a 10-minute presentation on their chosen topic. The
presentation should include (but is not limited to) a discussion of the article summary and other
material/resources related to the topic. The presentation provides the student with an opportunity
to further explore the chosen topic with less restriction on the source(s) of information used (e.g.,
websites, news reports etc.). Presentation resources must be academic and scholarly and include
at least one journal publication. A sign-up sheet will be provided to select the time and date for
your presentation.
GRADING: Each of the three examinations will be worth 50 points. The written Article Summary
will be worth a total of 30 points and will be graded on content, style, and format. Late written
summaries are penalized 10% of the point value for each day the assignment is late (including
Sat and Sun). The Presentation will be worth a total of 20 points and will be graded on a less
formal basis than the written assignment, stressing the effectiveness of communicating the
background, research design, results, general conclusions and your personal evaluation of the
study/topic. Further information on the format of the Presentation will be discussed in class. If
you are not prepared to give your presentation at the selected time and date, you will be
penalized 50% of the point value with the remaining points/grade contingent upon whether there
is time available to reschedule your presentation.
The total number of points attainable in this course will be 200. The final grade will be
determined by the total number of points accumulated from the summary paper, presentation and
the three examinations. Several extra credit questions will be included on each examination. No
other extra credit will be possible.
Letter Grade Range
Percentage Range
Total Point Range
A and A-
90-100%
180-200
B+, B, and B-
80-89%
160-179
C+ and C
70-79%
140-159
D+ and D
60-69%
120-139
Below 60%
Below 120
F
The plus (“+”, for grades falling in the upper 2% of a grade range, except that there is no “A+”)
and minus (“-“, for grades falling in the lower 2% of a grade range, except that there is no “D-“
or “C-“) grades noted above will be given in the case of borderline performance.
GRADUATE CREDIT: Students taking this course for graduate credit (PSYC.565) should
see me immediately to arrange the extra assignment needed to receive graduate credit for
the course. This assignment will be due no later than the last day of class. If the
assignment is judged to reflect graduate level work, the student will receive the grade
earned on the examinations, summary paper and summary presentation. If the
assignment is judged not to reflect graduate level performance, the student will receive a
grade one or more letters lower than that earned on the examinations, summary paper and
summary presentation.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. There are several
types of plagiarism. The most obvious variety occurs when an individual presents someone
else’s ideas as his/her own. This plagiarism can be avoided simply by giving credit to the
appropriate source. A second type occurs when credit has been given but the individual uses the
same wording or nearly the same wording as the source. This also is plagiarism and can be
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avoided by substantially recasting the idea in your own words. Looking at someone else’s paper
during an exam or giving aid to someone else during an exam will be interpreted as cheating.
The first instance of either plagiarism or cheating will result in an automatic zero for the
examination or assignment in question. The second instance will result in and automatic failure
of the course and possible suspension from the University.
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected and is necessary for good performance.
Attendance will be taken on a regular basis and will be considered in the case of a borderline
grade. You are responsible for any material or information presented in class, whether you
attend or not. I strongly recommend that you make arrangements with others in the class ahead
of time to find out what you will miss if you cannot attend class.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you need accommodation due to a disability, please make an
appointment to see me, and bring a statement from Disability Support Services (4-2638)
authorizing your accommodation.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This course may be repeated only once without
the prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee.
COURSE SCHEDULE (Subject to change as necessary)
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Date
Jan. 28, 30
Feb. 4, 6
Feb. 11, 13
Feb. 18, 20
Feb. 25, 27
Mar. 3, 5
Mar. 10
Mar. 12
Mar. 17, 19
Mar 24, 26
Mar. 31, Apr. 2
Apr. 7, 9
Apr. 14, 16
Apr. 21
Apr. 23
Apr. 28, 30
May 5, 7
May 12
May 16
Text Chapter (section)
Ch 1
Ch 3 (3.1 – 3.3)
Ch 3 (3.4 – 3.6)
Ch 4 (4.1 – 4.4)
Ch 4 (4.5 – 4.7); Ch 18 (18.1 – 18.2)
Review
Ch 5
Spring Break
Ch 5, Ch 6
Ch 6, Ch 7 (7.1-.2)
Ch 12 (12.1 – 12.4); Ch 13 (13.1 – 13.2)
Review
Ch 8
Ch 11
Ch 10 (10.3-.5); Ch 17 (17.1-.2)
Review
12:30 – 2:30 pm
Exams/Assignments
Exam 1
Topics Due
Exam 2
Article Summary Due
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Final Exam
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that emit audible sounds during class.
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.