ProSeminar
~~~~~~~
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 502– FALL 2006
Instructor: Isabel C. Sumaya, Ph.D.
Office: DDH H102
Office Hours: M: 2-3:30 pm & F 11-1:00 pm Phone: 664-2381 Email: isumaya@csub.edu
Web Page: www.csub.edu/~isumaya (source for syllabus & lecture notes)
Required Book: Restik, M. (1995). Receptors. Bantom.
Required Article Readings:
Morgan D, Grant KA, Gage HD, Mach RH, Kaplan JR, Prioleau O, Nader SH, Buchheimer N, Ehrenkaufer
RL, Nader MA. (2002). Social dominance in monkeys: dopamine D2 receptors and cocaine selfadministration. Nat Neurosci. 5(2):169-74.
Nilsson M, Perfilieva E, Johansson U, Orwar O, Eriksson PS. (1999). Enriched environment increases
neurogenesis in the adult rat dentate gyrus and improves spatial memory. J Neurobiol. 15;39(4):569-78.
O'shea M, McGregor IS, Mallet PE. (2006). Repeated cannabinoid exposure during perinatal, adolescent
or early adult ages produces similar longlasting deficits in object recognition and reduced social
interaction in rats. J Psychopharmacol. 20(5):611-21. Epub 2006 May 19.
Sacco KA, Termine A, Seyal A, Dudas MM, Vessicchio JC, Krishnan-Sarin S, Jatlow PI, Wexler BE, George
TP. (2005). Effects of cigarette smoking on spatial working memory and attentional deficits in
schizophrenia: involvement of nicotinic receptor mechanisms.
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 62(6):649-59.
Shreeve, J. (2005). Beyond the brain. National Geographic, March, 2-31.
Recommended Books: Any Biological Psychology text book.
Pinel. J.P. (2003). Biopsychology (6th Ed). Boston: Allyn and Bacon (currently in book store).
Prerequisites:
1. Three upper division courses in Psychology.
2. Graduate student in the MA program in Psychology. This is a required course in the program.
Course Description: This is a graduate seminar course. Students will spend the first half of the course
in lecture and the second half of the course in seminar/discussion during a 5 week period. This course
will focus on the biological basis of behavior focusing on perspectives and techniques employed in the
area of neuroscience. We will first cover the basic content area of neural transmission and receptor
function then focus on the interaction between neurochemistry, pharmacology and the environment as it
relates to psychological disorders (ex. depression, schizophrenia, drug abuse). Students will engage in
critical review of current findings in the area of neuroscience that have major relevance to the general
field of biological psychology.
Course Objectives: This course will provide the student with the necessary information to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use scientific terminology appropriate to the field of neuroscience
Appreciation and understand the use of animals and animal models for scientific research
Understand neurotransmission and receptor function
Apply neurochemical principles to the understanding of the etiology of human disorders
Engage in critical review of new emerging scientific data in the field of neuroscience
Requirements & Final Grade Percentages
Key Terms
Article presentation
Discussion participation
Brain/Mind Paper
Final Exam
(7
(1
(3
(1
at
at
at
at
10pts each)
50pts)
10pts each)
50pts)
Total
70 pts
50 pts
30 pts
50 pts
100 pts
300 pts
Grading Policy:
A = 100%-95
B = 86 - 84
C = 76 - 74
D = 66 - 64
A- = 94 - 90
B- = 83 - 80
C- = 73 - 70
D- = 63 - 60
B+= 89 - 87
C+= 79 - 77
D+= 69 - 67
F = 59 - 0
_______________________________________________________________________
Policies & Procedures
Exam: One comprehensive exam will be given on the last day of class. The exam will consist of short
answer and essay format.
Key Terms: In your readings in Restak you will invariably come across words that you do not know.
Given your level of knowledge in Biological Psychology these terms may be very basic in nature or very
specialized and complicated. For each of the assigned readings you will choose 5 such words and define
these words in detail. You will bring these definitions to class and we will discuss them. You will turn
these definitions in to me after the discussion is over and I will make copies for all and distribute them
during the following class period. Everyone’s terms will be fair game for the exam.
Journal Article Presentation: For this assignment, you will lead a group discussion on an article(s) that will
be assigned to you at the beginning of the quarter. You will be expected to lead the discussion via a
powerpoint presentation using the author’s figures. Additionally, you will begin the discussion by
presenting an introduction to the study (Bakground…to include illustrations etc).
Journal Article – Discussion Participation: During the student presentations (when you are not leading the
discussion) you will be expected to participate fully in the form of asking questions and providing a
thoughtful critique of the study under discussion. Your points will be determined by your participation in
class as well as turning in a list of comments and question.
Mind/Brain Paper: You will write a reaction paper to the following question: “Is there such a thing as the
mind? Why or why not?” If so, make sure to give me your definition of what the mind is. You will need
to include supporting evidence to backup your answer. The reaction page is limited to 3 pages double
spaced. This assignment is a follow-up to the Shreeve (2005), Beyond the Brain, reading. This paper
will be due the last day of class.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Students that are entitled to accommodations under the ADA should feel
free to contact me directly so that proper accommodations are ensured. These accommodations will be
in complete compliance with directives set forth by CSUB’s Services for Students with Disabilities office.
Academic Dishonesty (see 2005-2007 CSUB Catalog, pg 80-81): Last but not least is the issue of
dishonesty. At this point in your academic career, there should be no need for the inclusion of this section
in the syllabus. You are all graduate students. All I ask is that you act like one. It goes without saying,
cheating on exams or plagiarism (from published work or classmates) will not be tolerated. If you are
caught in any of the above mentioned acts you will receive a “0” for that assignment, and receive an “F”
for the course. I have no problem whatsoever assigning a “0” or an “F”. I have done this in the past and
will continue this policy.
Lecture Schedule*
Readings
1
W
9/13
Intro to Course – Intro To Your Brain
Restak CH. 1
Brain Quiz: What do you know about your brain?
==========================================================
2
M
9/18
The Mind is What the Brain Does?
Shreeve: Beyond the Brain
Discussion: Is There Such A Thing As The Mind?
Neurotransmitters/Receptor Function
Restak CH. 2, CH. 16
Powerpoint#1
W
9/20
Neurotransmitters/Receptor Function
W
9/27
Mood Altering Substances: Marijuana
W
10/04
Article Presentation: Enriched Environments Increase Neurogenesis in
Restak CH. 2, CH. 8
Powerpoint#2
==========================================================
3
M
9/25
Depression: Serotonin or Neurogenesis?
Restak CH. 7
Powerpoint#3
Restak CH. 15
Powerpoint#4
==========================================================
4
M
10/02 Too Little/Too Much Dopamine:
Restak CH. 9, CH. 12
Parkinsons Disease & Psychosis
Powerpoint#5
Adult Rat Dentate Gyrus & Improves Spatial Learning (Nilsson et al.)
==========================================================
5
M
10/09 Article Presentation: Repeated Cannabinoid Exposure During Perinatal,
Adolescent, Early Adult Ages, produces Similar Long-Lasting Deficits in
Object Recognition and Reduced Social Interaction in Rats (O’Shea et al.)
W
10/11
Article Presentation: Social Domiance in Monkeys: Dopamine D2
Receptors and Cocaine Self-Administration (Morgan et al.)
==========================================================
6
M
10/16 Article Presentation: Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Spatial Working
Memory and Attentional Deficits in Schizophrenia (Sacco et al.)
Final Exam....
*Tentative Schedule (subject to change)