PSY 3035 Biopsychology Seminar: Neurobiology of Addiction
Spring 2007 (Thursdays, 1:30-3:30)
Dr. A.C. Santucci
Course Overview: Thos course provides an opportunity to delve deeper into specific topics in
biopsychology. This semester I have chosen to craft the course around the neurobiology of drug
addiction. Compulsive and uncontrollable drug taking behavior represents a major
biopsychosocial health risk to many individuals and, as such, is a major social problem, This
course will examine the biological underpinnings of such compulsive behavior though carefully
selected readings from scholarly textbooks and professional journals. Questions address through
these readings will include:
What makes one vulnerable to compulsive drug taking behavior?
What are the factors that sustain compulsive drug taking behavior?
What changes occur within the brain as a result of drug taking behavior?
What are the long-term residual consequences of compulsive drug taking behavior?
Are there any successful therapeutic interventions that can be done in order to help the
drug-dependent individual stop taking drugs?
After taking this course it is hoped that the student will realize that drug dependency
involves a variety of biobehavioral processes, the details of which are only beginning to be fully
understood.
BlackBoard: Students are required to enroll in the BlackBoard Web site for this course.
Prerequisites: PSY 3000 Physiological Bases of Behavior or a comparable course should have
been already taken. In rare cases, the professor will approve admission of a student into the
course with this pre-requisite.
Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. These exams will be essay in nature and will
address theoretical and conceptual issues related to the readings. Thus, unlike exams for other
courses, less emphasis will be placed on memorizing facts and details while a greater emphasis
will be placed on demonstrating to the professor your proficiency with regard to having
understood and integrated the readings with the overarching theoretical and conceptual issues
being talked about in class.
Research Paper: A 12-15 page research paper will be required. The research paper can be on
any topic having to do with the neurobiology of addiction and drug dependency. The library
sources must all be scholarly (no general INTERNET sources allowed) obtained either scholarly
text books or journal articles. You must have at least 10 references and you must follow the
guidelines of APA when writing your paper. Spelling and grammar does count toward you
grade.
Oral Presentation: Toward the end of the semester, students will provide the class with a 15-20
minute oral preview of the research paper. The present should provide the class with a clear
description of the overall topic under investigation, the questions or goals that have been
addressed by the research, and the student’s view on ideas for future research directions.
Class Participation: Each week a set of readings will be assigned. These readings will be
available on the BlackBoard Web site for this course. Students are expected to have read the
articles before coming to class and be prepared to discuss the articles assigned.
Grading:
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Research paper: 20%
Oral Presentation: 20%
Class Participation: 20%