Psychology 486/686: Neuropsychology - Fall 2009
Course Information:
Instructor: Lynnette Leone, PhD
Lectures: Tue./Thu. 9:30am - 10:45am, South Engineering 118
Office: 102G Minard Hall
Office hours: Tue./Thu. 10:45am-12:00pm, or by appointment
Email: Lynnette.leone@ndsu.edu
Phone: 231 - 8628
Textbook:
Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I. Q. (2003). Fundamentals of Neuropsychology (Sixth
Edition). Worth Publishers: New York.
Course Overview and Objectives
A basic understanding of the nervous system is an essential foundation for the
study of modern psychology. The fact is that humans exhibit highly complex
behaviors and also possess highly complex brains. Neuropsychology is an
exciting and active field of research that studies the relationship between human
behavior and brain function. This course will help students gain insight into the
most complex organ in the human body, the brain. Students will learn what the
brain is, how it is organized and how it processes information and how it
produces complex behavior. In addition to lectures, students will participate in
group activities and be presented with videos of fascinating case studies that
depict various behavioral/neural disorders.
At the end of the course, students will be familiar with:
- Basic principles of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
- Research methods and assessment in neuropsychology
- Organization and function of human cortex
- Higher cortical functions including language, emotion, and attention
- Brain development, disorders, and plasticity
Prerequisites: PSY351 "Research Methods II" or PSY260 “Introduction to
Neuroscience”
Office Hours: Office hours are for your benefit. Students may come for
elaboration or clarification of specific classroom material. The instructor will
provide feedback on progress and any additional assistance as necessary. The
instructor is also available to meet at other times by appointment.
Classroom Etiquette: As this is an upper division college course, most students
are aware that a certain standard of behavior is to be expected from all students.
Behaviors that will not be tolerated during lecture include sleeping, phone
conversations etc. Students who engage in such behavior will be asked to leave
the class. It is also common courtesy to arrive and leave lectures on time, and to
silence all electronic devices (such as cellular phones) so as not to disturb the
professor or other students.
Evaluation - Procedures and Criteria:
Exams: There will be three (3) non-cumulative exams. Tests will cover material
presented in class and in the textbooks. Exams will consist of short answer, brief
explanations, multiple choice and essay questions. Each exam is worth 50
points. Graduate students will be required to answer an additional essay question
on each exam.
Make up exams will only be given in exceptional circumstances. See the
instructor if you think your situation is exceptional.
Class Questions: Starting on Tuesday, September first (9 /1) there will be a
question presented at the beginning of each class period (except on exam days).
Students will have approximately four (4) minutes to answer this question on a
3x5 index card which will be provided by the instructor. Questions will be taken
directly from the reading material which has been assigned for that day's lecture.
Questions may be M/C, definitions or brief (1-2 sentences) explanations. Each
question will be worth 2-3 points for a total of fifty (50) possible points. Class
questions cannot be made up. In the event that a student is late or absent from
class, the points for that days questions will be lost. Students are, however,
allowed one absence. So points from one day will be added to all scores at the
end of the semester.
Assignments: there will be four (4) assignments worth 15 points each. The
assignments will consist of 2-3 page APA-style essays on topics within the
domain of neuropsychology. Further instructions will be given when assignments
are distributed (approximately 1 week before the due date). See course
schedule for assignment due dates. The assignments are worth a total of sixty
(60) points. Late assignments will not be accepted; except for medical
emergencies (you will need a doctor's slip).
Graduates students: an additional assignment will be given to graduate students
which involves reading and answering questions related to three case studies of
patients with particular neuropsychological problems.
Online Quizzes: Online quizzes and flashcards are available on the website of
the textbook publisher (http://worthpublishers.com/kolb). Students are
encouraged to use these tools to facilitate learning but will not be graded on
them.
The final grade for each student will be determined from the sum of the three
exams, the paper, and class questions (450 pts possible). I do not curve grades.
There are no sources of extra credit.
Grading Scale: A >=90%, B >= 80%, C >= 70%, D >= 60%, F < 60%.
In the event that a student disagrees with the grading of a particular exam
question, a protest can be made to the instructor in writing. The student must
indicate the question in dispute and provide a cogent explanation, citing evidence
from the text, lecture or other materials, to convince the instructor that additional
consideration is appropriate.
Any students who need special accommodations for learning or who have
special needs are invited to share these concerns or requests with the
instructor as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to accommodate
those needs.
Academic Honesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner
consistent with NDSU University Senate Policy, section 335, Code of Academic
Responsibility and Conduct (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm).
Violation of this policy will result in failure, suspension, or expulsion. Plagiarism
will not be tolerated.
Tentative Class Schedule
Day
Date
Reading / Event
Topic
Tu
8 - 25
Th
8 - 27
Chapter 1
Development of Neuropsychology
Tu
9-1
Chapter 3
Organization of the Nervous System
Th
9-3
Chapter 4
The Structure and Electrical Activity of Neurons
Tu
9-8
Chapter 5
Communication Between Neurons
Th
9 - 10
Chapter 6
Imaging the Brain’s Activity
Tu
9 - 15
Chapter 7
The Influence of Drugs on Behavior
Th
9 - 17
Exam 1
Chapter’s 1, and 3-7
Tu
9 - 22
Chapter 8
Organization of the Sensory Systems
Th
9 - 24
Chapter 9
Organization of the Motor System
Tu
9 - 29
Th
10 - 1
Chapter 10
Principles of Neocortical Function
Tu
10 - 6
Chapter 11 & 12
Cerebral Asymmetry
Th
10 - 8
Chapter 13
Occipital Lobes
Tu
10 - 13
Th
10 - 15
Course Introduction
Movement disorders - Assignment 1 due
Visual Agnosia - Assignment 2 due
Chapter 14
Parietal Lobes
Tu
10 - 20
Chapter 15
Temporal Lobes
Th
10 - 22
Chapter 16
Frontal Lobes
Tu
10 - 27
Exam 2
Chapters 8 - 16
Th
10 - 29
Chapter 18
Memory
Tu
11 - 3
Th
11 - 5
Chapter 19
Language
Tu
11 - 10
Chapter 20
Emotions
Th
11 - 12
Chapter 21
Spatial Behavior - Assignment 3 due
Tu
11 - 17
Chapter 22
Attention Mental Images and Consciousness
Th
11 - 19
Chapter 23
Brain Development and Plasticity
Tu
11 - 24
Chapter 24
Developmental Disorders (autism video)
Th
11 - 26
No class
Thanksgiving
Tu
12 - 1
Chapter 25
Plasticity, Recovery and Rehabilitation of the
Adult Brain
Th
12 - 3
Chapter 26
Neurological Disorders
Assignment 4 due
Tu
12 - 8
Tourette’s
Th
12 - 10
Possible Final or review day
FRI
12 - 18
Clive Wearing
Exam 3
8:00am TO 10:00am (Chapters 18 - 26)