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Physiological Psychology, PSY 326
Fall 2011
Professor: Joseph R. Keebler, Ph.D.
josephrkeeblerphd@gmail.com
Class: W - 6:45pm – 9:15pm in BUSH 160 (August 22nd- December 8th)
This syllabus is subject to change at any time
Course Materials:
Biopsychology 8th Edition – John P.J. Pinel
$145.97 New/$114.06 Used
Description of Course:
This course will be a lecture style class in which the fundamentals of Physiological Psychology
will be taught through four major themes:
1. Thinking creatively and critically about Physiological Psychology/Biopsychology, and
science in general
2. Understanding the clinical implications of brain disorders, and how this knowledge
impacts what we know about healthy brains
3. Taking an evolutionary perspective on how the brain came to be, and how we can better
understand human brains through the brains of lower-order mammals
4. Approaching the brain as a constantly changing (plastic) organ that can grow and alter
throughout one’s life
What is expected of Students:
Reading/Keeping up with the course- I expect all students to read the assigned chapters before the class for that
chapter, and to be able to discuss important concepts and terms from each chapter.
Participation- I expect all students to participate. Some of the activities in class will strive for participation from
everyone, so be prepared to speak about the concepts
Tardiness- Being late is tolerable, and I may be late once in a while myself. Interruption of the course due to
coming in late will be unacceptable.
Cell Phones/Laptops- Please silence your phones and don’t use your laptops unless we are doing internet work. I
will answer your phone for you, and if mine rings, as a class you may answer it 
Attendance- Although I will not take attendance during every class, I expect all students to attend all classes. I will
do my best to learn all of your names, so I will notice your absence. THERE WILL NOT BE MAKE UPS FOR
MISSED QUIZZES OR ASSIGNMENTS! Also, many assignments will be done in class, and therefore, will require
the attendance of students in order to be completed.
Students with Disabilities
Syllabus may be subject to change at the instructor’s discretion
Rollins College is committed to equal access and does not discriminate unlawfully against
persons with disabilities in its policies, procedures, programs, or employment processes. The
College recognizes its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide an environment that does not discriminate against persons
with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of
academic accommodations in order to participate in your classes, please make timely
arrangements by disclosing this disability in writing to the Disability Services Office at (Campus
Box 2613) - Thomas P. Johnson Student Resource Center, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL,
37289; call 407- 646-2354 for an appointment; or email: gridgeway@rollins.edu.
Academic Honor Code
Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and requires a
commitment, to act with honor in all things. Because academic integrity is fundamental to the
pursuit of knowledge and truth and is the heart of the academic life of Rollins College, it is the
responsibility of all members of the College community to practice it and to report apparent
violations.
The following pledge is a binding commitment by the students of Rollins College:
The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity are integral to a Rollins College education
and to membership in the Rollins College community. Therefore, I, a student of Rollins College,
pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any lying, cheating, or
plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving responsibly, respectfully and honorably
in my social life and in my relationships with others.
This pledge is reinforced every time a student submits work for academic credit as his/her own.
Students shall add to all papers, quizzes, tests, lab reports, etc., the following handwritten
abbreviated pledge followed by their signature:
“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance
on this work.”
Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge; submission implies signing the
pledge.
Description of Assignments (300 points total for the course)
Chapter Quizzes (25 points each = 100 points total) –
There are 4 chapter quizzes which will cover 2 - 3 chapters each. Find the quizzes and their associated chapters
listed below. When a quiz is on the same day as a given chapter, that chapter will be learned AFTER the quiz
is taken. The material from a chapter will not be tested on a same-day quiz.
Cumulative Exam (200points) –
The final exam will be cumulative, covering basic knowledge from all chapters studied throughout the semester.
Course Calendar
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Date
Syllabus
Aug.
24th
Ch.1 Biopsychology as a Neuroscience
Aug.
31st
Ch. 2 Evolution, Genetics, and Experience
Introduction/The “Ground Rules” Talk/Pinky and the Brain Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5nMsXg1Lk
Sep. 7th Ch. 3 Anatomy of the Nervous System
Ted Talks Videos- Ramachandran
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html
Sep.
14th
Ch. 4 Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission
Quiz 1
Sep.
21st
NO CLASS – AWAY ON TRAVEL
Read: Ch. 5 The Research Methods of Biopsychology
Sep.
28th
Ch. 6 The Visual System
Oct. 5th Ch.7 Mechanisms of Perception: Hearing, Touch, Smell, Taste, and Attention
Quiz 2
Oct.
12th
Ch. 10 Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity
Oct.
19th
Ch. 11 Learning, Memory, and Amnesia
Oct.
26th
Ch. 14 Sleep, Dreaming, and Circadian Rhythms
Quiz 3
Nov.
2nd
Ted Talks Videos –Taylor
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
Lotto
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/beau_lotto_optical_illusions_show_how_we_see.html
Ch. 15 Drug Addiction and the Brain’s Reward Circuits
Syllabus may be subject to change at the instructor’s discretion
Nov. 9th Ch. 16 Lateralization, Language, and the Split Brain
Nov.
16th
Ch. 17 Biopsychology of Emotion, Stress, and Health
Quiz 4
Nov.
23rd
Ch. 18 Biopsychology of Psychiatric Disorders
Nov.
30th
Review for Final
Dec. 7th Cumulative Final Exam
Grading Criteria (class total out of 300 points)

Quizzes – 50 points each (4x for a total of 200 points)

Cumulative Final – 100 points