NEUR 101: The College Brain
MW 1-3:45 MH 201
Instructor: Dr. Greg Q. Butcher Office: 205 Mickle Hall Office hours: M-F 9-10a, TR 11-noon or by appointment
Office phone: 869-5545 (leave a message if necessary) e-mail: gbutcher@centenary.edu (best way to reach me)
Course Summary
Neuroscience is the study of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. It is an ever growing field that encompasses the techniques
and methodologies of a broad range of disciplines including Psychology, Philosophy, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Genetics and,
more recently, Economics, Marketing, Law and even Art. As such, numerous professionals from a wide range of fields study
and/or use principles of neuroscience. In this class we will explore certain aspects of neuroscience using the 18-22 year old human
brain as our model. We can’t cover everything, so we will focus how common college experiences (studying, insomnia, drug use,
love, etc.) affect the developing brain. Although many of you may not become professional neuroscientists, I hope that the class will
provide you with some useful skills and information you can apply both in college and whatever future career you end up pursuing.
This class will be taught in a “studio format”, in which the typical laboratory and lecture portions of a science course are taught as
integrated components. In general, after a concept is introduced, we will perform some type of laboratory exercise, experiment or
activity to help reinforce the concept. I strongly encourage you to form a study group and to keep up on the reading. I will hold
you accountable for all materials covered in class and in the assigned readings.
Course Objectives: Upon finishing this course successfully, student will:
 Have a solid foundational understanding of scientific inquiry and experimental design
 Have an introductory understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of science
 Have an introductory understanding of literary research skills
 Be able to generate, analyze, interpret and present data using appropriate mathematical tools
How does this course contribute to my overall education?
In 2011, a group convened by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Science
Foundation (NSF) developed a description of five core concepts and six competencies that all biology students should master
(Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action at www.visionandchange.org). This course provides
an introduction to two core concepts and three of those competencies:
Concepts
 Pathways and Transformations of Energy and Matter: Biological systems grow and change by processes based upon
chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
 Systems: Living things are interconnected and interacting.
Competencies
 Ability to apply the process of science
 Ability to tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science
 Ability to understand the relationship between science and society
Texts:
How We Decide, J. Lehrer (JL)
Dirty Minds, K Sukel (KS)
Grading
Four 50-point exams
Final exam
Group project
Quizzes/homework
TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS
The Primal Teen, B Strauch (BS)
Additional readings distributed in class or on Blackboard (BB)
200 points
100 points
50 points
250 points
600 points
GRADING SCALE:
540-600 points (90-100%)
480-539 points (80-89%)
420-479 points (70-79%)
360-419 points (60-69%)
Below 360 points (<60%)
A
B
C
D
F
Assessment
You will be assessed on individual and group work in this course. Assignments will state whether I expect you work alone or with a
partner/group. In all cases I will hold you to the expectations of the Centenary Honor Code. Plagiarism, sharing of material on
exams/quizzes, or cheating in any form will be immediately turned over to the Honor Court. If in doubt, ask me and I will gladly
explain my expectations.
This course covers a large amount of material. You should plan on reviewing your notes after each day’s class. You will have
to study to do well in this course. DO NOT let yourself fall behind or make the assumption that you don’t have to study. There
are four 50-point examinations, plus the final exam (worth 100 points), scheduled during the semester. These exams may consist of
multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, matching, and short answer questions. There will be questions about equipment,
chemicals, and test procedures that you used during the laboratory portions of the course. Because you will be asked questions
about the laboratory exercises, you will want to take notes on procedures, chemicals, mathematical calculations, etc. You will have
exactly one hour to complete each exam, and there will be class after every exam. You will probably dislike having class after an
exam more than any other aspect of the course. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover the entire semester’s material.
However, it is divided into two parts: 50 points of material since Exam Four (new material), and 50 points of material covering the
rest of the semester. You will be given more information about the final at a later date.
There will be a 10-point quiz or homework assignment due at the beginning of every class period, except for the first day of
class and on days when exams are scheduled. Quizzes will be distributed at the beginning of class and you will have 15 minutes to
complete them. If you are late for class, you still must turn in your quiz with the rest of your classmates (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Quizzes will test your knowledge and comprehension of material covered during the previous class period. Most questions will be
short answer in nature. You will need to study after every class period to do well on these quizzes. The good news - if you study
for the quizzes you will also be better prepared for the exams. If you are sick or have another reason for missing class, you will not
be allowed to take a quiz and leave. If you are too sick to stay for class, you are also too sick to take the scheduled quiz. If you
choose to leave after taking the quiz, your quiz score for that day will be a zero. Likewise, you may not turn in your homework and
leave.
The lab portion of this course is designed to reinforce the lecture materials and present related topics only partially covered in
lecture. Several of the labs will have data sheets and/or mini-reports for you to complete during the lab. Occasionally I will
distribute graded assignments during class. Some of these will be due before you leave, others will be due as homework at the
beginning of the next class period.
Attendance
You are expected to be in class on time every day. I will close the door at the beginning of each class period, if you are not in class
by that time you may be locked out for the day (my discretion). If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes
and/or homework. The lab portion of this class will consist of computer simulations, hands-on “wet-labs” and multi-week
experiments. Therefore, in most cases, it will not be possible to make up a missed lab experiment. If you are absent for a lab you are
responsible for all material covered during that lab. If you are absent for an exam, it is your responsibility to notify me within 24hrs
of the absence or you will receive a zero. If you are sick you must submit a medical excuse (signed by a doctor) before you will be
allowed to make up the work. This applies to quizzes, homework, exams and all other assignments. If you have an athletic or
academic event that will force you to miss class, you must make arrangements with me at least one week in advance or any missed
work will receive a zero.
E-mail & Blackboard
I expect you to check your campus e-mail and Blackboard regularly for course information. I will remind you of course policies
and exams, distribute information about exams, and possibly even give assignments via e-mail and/or Blackboard.
Lecture & Laboratory Guidelines
 Generally, food and drink will be allowed during class as long as containers are disposed of properly. There will be certain
days when this will change for safety reasons.
 You may use your computer to take notes, but I may revoke this privilege if you abuse it (checking email, Twitter or
Facebook during class, surfing non-class related websites, etc.).
 At the beginning of every class period you should place your phone in the receptacles located at the front of the classroom.
They may not be used during class (i.e. no texting). If you are expecting an emergency phone call/text, please inform
me before class starts.
 Sleeping in class is also a distraction to others. If you fall asleep, your student colleagues and I will awaken you as we see fit
(Nerf gun, cold water, etc…).
Accommodations
It is the policy of Centenary College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the College's
commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodations, for example in seating
placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with
disabilities need to contact Disability Services (a division of Counseling Services), which is located in the ground floor of Rotary Hall
to obtain services. Telephone 318-869-5466/5424.
Date
1) 21 August
Topic
The process of science
2) 26-28 August
Anatomy
Building blocks: cells, membranes & molecules
No class Monday – Labor Day
Building blocks: cells, membranes & molecules
3) 4 September
4) 9-11 September
Exam 1
Readings
BS Ch 1-3
BS Ch 6
Brain on Blueberries
Energy, metabolism and the brain: cellular
respiration
5) 16-18 September
Energy continued
6) 23-25 September
Stimulants & Depressants
Choc/Tea articles
KS Ch 10
DNA, proteins and behavior
BS Ch 7; KS Ch 4
JL Ch 7
7) 7-9 October
Genotyping & Phenotyping
JL Ch 1 & 2
8) 14-16 October
Evolution & Cladistics
7) 30 Sept – 2 Oct
9) 21-23 October
Exam 2
Exam 3
Sexual dimorphisms & hormones
10) 28-30 October
Pheromones & attraction
11) 4-6 November
Breakups and the brain
Zombies
12) 11-13 November
Exam 4
13) 18-20 November
KS Ch 2, 5 & 6
KS Ch 3, 7
KS Ch 8 &11
BS Ch 11
Memory & Learning
25-27 November
14) 2-4 December
9-13 December
Sleep & Biological Rhythms
.
What Makes Us Human?
BS Ch 9 & 10
Final Exam
No class Thanksgiving break
JL Ch 3 & 4
Making decisions
JL Ch 5 & 6
Final held during scheduled time