WARNING: This syllabus may be from a previous semester and may not reflect current or future instructors for the course.
The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a sample of course content and objectives.
PSY-B 201: Foundations of Neuroscience
Fall 2012, Class # 31383, BS 3018
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:30-2:45 PM
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
Instructor
Bethany Neal-Beliveau, Ph.D.
Office
Psychology Department, LD Building, Room 100B
Office Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 – 4:00 PM, or by appointment
E-mail
Use Oncourse Messages for course-related matters.
Use bnealbe@iupui.edu for emergencies or if Oncourse is unavailable
Phone
Office: (317) 274-6751
Required Textbook
Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd ed,
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore, MD, 2007.
Textbook Website
http://connection.lww.com/go/bear
Psychology Department: (317) 274-6943
Expectations
You can expect that I will . . .
 come to class prepared
 state the expectations of you and your work clearly
 strive to create and maintain an environment that supports learning
 encourage you to achieve your course goals
 respect your point of view
 respond to your Oncourse e-mail messages in a timely fashion
 enjoy discussing neuroscience and working with you
I expect that you will . . .
 attend class regularly
 read the textbook and journal article assignments before class
 take the online quiz weekly
 prepare for the exams and seek help if needed
 complete the Going Beyond papers and submit by due dates
 actively participate – by listening while others are talking, collaborating, thinking critically
 respect our time – cell phone off and put away, computers open to PowerPoint or Word
 ask questions – for clarification, illustration, or deeper understanding
 respect the opinions of others even if you don’t agree with them
 be honest and consistently demonstrate a high level of integrity
WARNING: This syllabus may be from a previous semester and may not reflect current or future instructors for the course.
The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a sample of course content and objectives.
Course Description and Objectives:
This introductory neuroscience course will explore how our brains work and are formed, how our brains
guide us through the changes in life, and why it is important to increase understanding of our brains. This
course will allow you to discuss 1) why the brain is the body’s most important organ, 2) how brain cells
communicate using both electrical and chemical signals, 3) how genetically determined brain circuits are
the foundation of the nervous system, 4) how life experiences change the nervous system, 5) how
intelligence arises as the brain reasons, plans, and solves problems, 6) how the brain endows us with
natural curiosity to understand how the world works, and 7) how fundamental discoveries promote
healthy living and the treatment of disease.
Learning objectives
This course has 6 learning objectives that represent the IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning:
PUL
Specific Learning Objectives
Communication 1. Students will write Going Beyond papers and demonstrate the ability to
Skills
analyze and synthesize ideas and facts and express them effectively in a
written format.
Critical
2. Students will critically evaluate and interpret research findings and apply
Thinking
them to material learned in the course.
Application and 3. Students will demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge of
Integration of
neuroscience from various disciplines and approaches.
Knowledge
Intellectual
4. Students will demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast approaches
Depth and
to knowledge of neuroscience from biological, chemical, and
Adaptiveness
psychological perspectives.
Understanding 5. Students will explore ethnic and gender differences in brain structure and
Society and
function.
Culture
Values and
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles of
Ethics
neuroscience research with both humans and animals.
Important Dates for Fall 2012
Aug 27
Last day dropped course deleted from record; 100% refund period ends
Oct 12
Last day to withdraw with automatic grade of ‘W’; requires advisor’s signature. After
this date, students who want to withdraw, but are failing the class, will only receive a
‘W’ under special circumstances as determined by the instructor.
Nov 13
Last day to withdraw with ‘W’ or ‘F’ on transcript; requires advisor's and instructor's
signatures. Students who want to withdraw, but are failing the course will only receive a
‘W’ under special circumstances as determined by the instructor.
After Nov 13
Withdrawal requires advisor's, instructor's and dean’s signatures; requires extraordinary
circumstances and is rarely granted. The School of Science Dean’s Office will not
endorse a withdrawal after NOVEMBER xx for School of Science majors unless a
documentable excuse is established.
WARNING: This syllabus may be from a previous semester and may not reflect current or future instructors for the course.
The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a sample of course content and objectives.
Course Components – 500 total points
Class Participation – 20% of grade
Attendance is positively correlated with success in class. We will strive to promote an active learning
environment with class discussions and collaborative learning opportunities. As an extra incentive to
attend class regularly, students will have opportunities to earn points via in-class assessments (labs,
critical thinking exercises, article summaries, concept checks, etc). Participation points may only be
earned if you attend the class; there will be no make-up exercises.
Examinations – 40% of grade
There will be four unit exams, each worth 50 points. Questions will come from the class notes and
required readings. The exam format is mixed, with 30 multiple-choice (1 point each) and 4 short-answer
questions (5 points each). Arrangements must be made prior to the day of the exam if you must miss an
exam, otherwise, make-up exams will consist of a cumulative final examination. Study Guides will be
available on Oncourse at least one week prior to each exam. On-line review sessions in the Oncourse
Chat Room will be held the night before each exam.
Going Beyond Papers – 20% of grade
Critical thinking and effective written communication are important principles of undergraduate learning
at IUPUI. Beginning students of neuroscience are expected to understand how neuroscience research is
conducted and how research findings have advanced knowledge in the field. To this end, students will
read and analyze original research articles, each on a topic of relevance to the current chapters. Students
will submit two Going Beyond papers during the semester, as specified on the Course Schedule.
Instructions for the papers will be posted on Oncourse at least a month prior to the due date. Going
Beyond Papers should be 3-4 pages in length and must be submitted via Oncourse Assignments. Papers
submitted in class or via e-mail will not be accepted. Late papers will receive a 2-point deduction if
submitted within two hours of the deadline. An additional 3 points will be deducted if submitted after the
first two hours (5 points total). No papers will be accepted that are more than 24 hours late.
Quizzes – 20% of grade
Each week (unless it is an exam week), you must take an online quiz via Oncourse Tests & Surveys. The
quiz will consist of 10 multiple-choice questions over material covered that week. Quizzes will autosubmit after 15 minutes so be sure you review the reading assignments and your notes before you begin.
You may take each quiz twice and you will earn the average of the two scores. Quizzes will open at 3:00
PM on Thursday and close at 5:00 PM on Friday. The lowest 3 scores will be dropped, and there will be
no make-up quizzes.
Extra Credit – 3% of grade
Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 15 points of extra credit during the semester. Further
details will be provided in class and via Oncourse Announcements.
Grading Scale
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
Percent
> 100%
93%
90%
87%
83%
80%
Points
> 600
558-599
540-557
522-539
498-521
480-497
Grade
C+
C
CD+
D
F
Percent
77%
73%
70%
67%
60%
< 60%
Points
462-479
438-461
420-437
402-419
360-401
< 360
WARNING: This syllabus may be from a previous semester and may not reflect current or future instructors for the course.
The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a sample of course content and objectives.
COURSE SCHEDULE – B201 – Fall 2012 – Neal-Beliveau – TR 1:30-2:45 PM
Day/Date
Topics: Foundations
T Aug 21
Course Introduction and Organization
R Aug 23
Neuroscience: Past, Present, and Future
Reading Assignment
Ch 1, pp 4-21
Quiz 1 (Chapter 1) must be completed by Friday Aug 24 at 5:00 PM
T Aug 28
Neurons and Glia I
Ch 2, pp 24-35; Journal Article
R Aug 30
Neurons and Glia II
Ch 2, pp 35-49
Quiz 2 (Chapter 2) must be completed by Friday Aug 31 at 5:00 PM
T Sept 4
Neuronal Membrane at Rest
Ch 3, pp 52-73
R Sept 6
Action Potential I
Ch 4, pp 76-90
Quiz 3 (Chapter 3 & 4) must be completed by Friday Sept 7 at 5:00 PM
T Sept 11
Action Potential II
Ch 4, pp 91-100
Thursday Sept 13 - Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4)
T Sept 18
Synaptic Transmission I
Ch 5, pp 102-116
R Sept 20
Synaptic Transmission II
Ch 5, pp 117-132
Quiz 5 (Chapter 5) must be completed by Friday Sept 21 at 5:00 PM
T Sept 25
Neurotransmitter Systems I
Ch 6, pp 134-152; Ch 15, pp 498-508
R Sept 27
Neurotransmitter Systems II
Ch 6, pp 152-166
Quiz 6 (Chapter 6) must be completed by Friday Sept 28 at 5:00 PM
Going Beyond Paper I must be submitted by Monday Oct 1 at 11:59 PM
T Oct 2
Organization of the Nervous System
Ch 7, pp 168-178; Ch 15, pp 482-497
R Oct 4
Development of the Nervous System
Ch 7, pp 178-195
T Oct 9
The Cerebral Cortex
Ch 7, pp 195-204
Thursday Oct 11 - Exam 2 (Chapters 5-7)
Tues Oct 16 – Fall Break – No Class
WARNING: This syllabus may be from a previous semester and may not reflect current or future instructors for the course.
The purpose of this syllabus is to provide a sample of course content and objectives.
Day/Date
Special Topics
Reading Assignment
R Oct 18
The Chemical Senses & Anosmia
Ch 8, pp 252-275; Journal Article
Quiz 8 (Chapter 8) must be completed by Friday Oct 19 at 5:00 PM
T Oct 23
The Central Visual System
Ch 10, pp 310-341
R Oct 25
Amblyopia
Ch 23, pp 708-723; Journal Article
Quiz 9 (Chapter 10) must be completed by Friday Oct 26 at 5:00 PM
T Oct 30
The Somatic Sensory System
Ch 12, pp 388-422
R Nov 1
Chronic Pain
Journal Article
Quiz 10 (Chapter 12) must be completed by Friday Nov 2 at 5:00 PM
T Nov 6
Movement & Parkinson’s Disease
Ch 14, pp 452-478; Journal Article
Thursday Nov 8 - Exam 3 (Chapters 8, 10, 12, 14)
T Nov 13
Motivation & Obesity
Ch 16, pp 510-531; Journal Article
R Nov 15
Sex & Identity (Gender & Sexual)
Ch 17, pp 534-562; Journal Article
Quiz 11 (Chapters 16 & 17) must be completed by Friday Nov 16 at 5:00 PM
T Nov 20
Emotion & Aggression
Ch 18, pp 564-583; Journal Article
Thanksgiving Break – No Class Thursday Nov 22
T Nov 27
Brain Rhythms & Sleep Disorders
Ch 19, pp 586-616; Journal Article
R Nov 29
Language & Aphasia
Ch 20, pp 618-642; Journal Article
Quiz 12 (Chapters 19 & 20) must be completed by Friday Nov 30 at 5:00 PM
Going Beyond Paper II must be submitted by Monday Dec 3 at 11:59 PM
T Dec 4
Wiring the Brain
Ch 23, pp 690-708
R Dec 6
Schizophrenia & Autism
Journal Articles
Quiz 13 (Chapter 23) must be completed by Friday Dec 7 at 5:00 PM
Tuesday Dec 11 (1:00-3:00 PM) - Exam 4 (Chapters 16-20, 23)
Note: Dr. Neal-Beliveau reserves the right to change the lecture schedule and/or choice of topics. Exam
dates will not change.