PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: Kimberly A. Badanich, Ph.D.
Course: PSB 4004C-521 Spring 2013
Class Time: Tues & Thurs 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Campus: Sarasota-Manatee
Classroom: B224
E-mail: badanich@sar.usf.edu
Phone: 941-359-4451
Mailbox: SMC C263
Office location: SMC C242
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 10:30am -11:50 am
or by appt.
Prerequisites:
(1) Psychological Science (PSY 2012) with a grade of C or higher and (2) Research
Methods (PSY 3213) with a grade C or higher.
Required text:
“Physiology of Behavior” (11th edition). Carlson, N.R. (2013). Boston: Allyn & Bacon
Inc
Psychology Mission Statement:
The curriculum for a Psychology degree from USF Sarasota-Manatee prepares graduates for the many
occupations (e.g., human services, community or public relations, administration, and advertising and market
research) and graduate work in such disciplines as clinical, cognitive, social, or industrial psychology,
education, gerontology, counseling, management, medicine, law and other human service programs. By the
time our majors are ready to graduate, they are equipped with two vital skill sets. First, our majors are familiar
with numerous factors influencing behavior and mental processes, and the interactions between them. These
factors range from the molecular (communication in the brain) to the cultural (human diversity). Second, our
majors have developed the critical thinking skills necessary for the consumption and production of
psychological research. Students will have the opportunity to take a capstone course that allows them to create
their own research study to demonstrate these competencies.
Course Description and Purpose:
This course is designed to provide students a basic understanding of how the brain works, and how alterations
in brain chemistry affect behavioral states. The focus of the course is on the neurochemical basis of behavior.
and is designed to provide students an appreciation of the processes that underlie neuropsychiatric disorders.
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of neurophysiology and behavior. By
the end of the course, students should be able to
(a)
understand electrical and chemical communication in the brain. Specifically, students will know how ion
channels, action potentials, synapses, receptors and neural networks are involved in brain function
(b)
understand how alterations in neurotransmitters affect behavior
(c)
understand the mechanisms which underlie “normal” processes such as movement, sleep, sexual
behavior, learning
(d)
appreciate what physiological mechanisms are impacted in movement disorders, mood disorders,
schizophrenia, depression, and addiction
(e)
understand how drugs affect the brain and how drugs can be used to help treat these neuropsychiatric
disorders
(f)
learn about the scientific method and rationale involved in scientific inquiry by critically reading research
articles
Course Materials:
Before each class meeting, students are required to check their USF email account, check for announcements
in Blackboard, and access lecture materials. Lecture materials including PowerPoints, articles, and
instructions for assignments will be posted on Blackboard at myUSF.
Review questions to prepare for exams will be posted as the second slide in each PowerPoint lecture
and will serve as the review sheet for exams (i.e., you do not have to wait until the week before class to
start preparing for the exam!!).
Accessing USF email: Go to the myUSF homepage at https://my.usf.edu. You will need to enter your net ID to
sign in. If you do not already have a net ID you can sign up for one by clicking on “create an account” on the
myUSF homepage. Signing in will bring you to your own homepage. Click on the tab labeled “Google mail”.
Accessing online lecture materials: Go to the myUSF homepage at https://my.usf.edu, use your net ID to sign
in, and click on the tab labeled “Blackboard”. Here will be a list all of the courses you are participating in. Click
on “Physiological Psychology”. This is where I will post the syllabus, announcements, PowerPoint lectures,
articles, assignment instructions, grades, ect. PowerPoints will be listed under “Information”. You can also use
Blackboard to contact me via e-mail. If you have any trouble accessing or using this page please contact the
Academic Computing help desk at 813-974-1222. Online lecture notes should NOT be used as a substitute for
coming to class. Notes and tapes are not permitted for sale.
Course Requirements:
There will be 3 exams, 1 written essay, 1 group presentation, and a participation grade.
Exams: There will be 3 exams. Exams will be multiple choice and will cover all lectures. Exam material will
focus on lectures and articles. Students are required to bring their student ID and a #2 pencil. During exams,
students will only be allowed to have a pencil at their desk. All books, bags, purses, cell phones, laptops,
headphones, drinks, coffee cups, hats and any other items ect., must be placed at the front of the room until
the student has completed the exam. Under no circumstances will a student approach or handle any item
other than a pencil during an exam. Please be sure to pick up YOUR belongings (not your peer’s) after
handing in your exam. For safety purposes, please leave your valuables at home on the exam day. If a
student talks or looks at another student during the exam, both students involved will be stopped from finishing
the exam. Students cannot leave the room until they have completed and handed in their exam. No student
can enter the room after the first student has completed the exam. Students may not take an exam in
place of another person.
Make-up exams: You are required to take exams on the designated exam dates listed in the syllabus. If
you do not take an exam on the designated exam date, you will receive a zero. The ONLY exception is
if you notify me of your absence 24 HOURS BEFORE THE EXAM. Only students with an EXCUSED
ABSENCE will be allowed to take a make-up exam (see excused absence section below). Students
with an approved excused absence MUST schedule a make-up exam on a date designated by USF
Sarasota-Manatee. There are 4 predetermined make-up exam dates this semester and these dates
are always on Fridays from 1-3pm. Make-up exam dates cannot be altered to fit a student’s schedule.
Students missing an exam and having an approved excused absence will be required to take the makeup exam on the date closest to the missed exam (i.e., you only get one chance to make it up). Please
note that all make-up exams will include essay questions. No exam can be taken early.
Furthermore, there are no available make-up exam dates after our final exam so there will be no
chances to make-up the final exam.
Neuro Essay: Each student is required to write an essay detailing the process of communication within (action
potential) and between (neurochemical release) neurons. This essay will help you review the foundations of
Neuroscience. Specific instructions for the essay will be posted in advance on Blackboard. Completed essays
must be typed in APA style, submitted through safe assign, and hard copies must be turned in at the beginning
of class on the designated due date (see schedule below). No assignments can be emailed or placed
in my mailbox. No exceptions. One letter grade will be deducted from late essay grades for each day
that the essay is late. Essays that are 4+ days late will receive a zero. No exceptions. Note: I am only on
campus Tues and Thurs so it’s really best to simply turn the essay in on time.
Group Presentation: Each student will be assigned to a group and must give a presentation on a research
article listed in the syllabus. Groups will be allowed to sign up for a specific week (i.e., topic) listed in the
syllabus. Groups will be responsible for reading and critically evaluating the assigned article in their assigned
week as well as preparing a PowerPoint oral presentation to explain the article to the class. Each presentation
must be at least 15 min but not more than 20 mins long. Presentation dates and specific instructions on the
required content of the group presentation will be posted in advance on Blackboard. Students must be present
on their designated presentation date. No make-ups. No exceptions.
Participation: Students should read and critically evaluate assigned articles for class-even on the days they
are not presenting. During article discussions, students are expected to ask insightful questions about the
article/topic. Students are also required to write and submit an exam review question for exam reviews (see
due dates on schedule below). Students should use this as an opportunity to find answers to concepts they
may not understand. Participation points will be given for asking questions, participating in class discussions
and submitting exam review questions. A total of 50 possible participation points are available.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory for the first class meeting. Students who do not come to the first class meeting
without giving me prior notice will be automatically dropped from the class. Attendance after the first class is
encouraged but not required. Missing class will not cut grades. However you will be responsible for any
material covered in class for which you are not in attendance. Remember that students must be present to
turn in assignments/give presentations on due dates.
Excused absence: An excused absence must 1) be brought to my attention 24 hours before the absence and
2) be accompanied by a valid written and dated excuse. Examples of valid excuses are written doctors notes
with dates of illness, court papers or jury duty notices with dates of service, death of a family member with a
copy of the obituary, or a school function with a verification letter. Students who anticipate the necessity of
being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide advance notice of
the date(s) to the instructor in writing. Students with unexcused absences will be given a zero for missed
exams and assignments. No exceptions.
Grading:
Grading for this course will be on a point scale. Assignment point values are listed below:
Graded item
Total possible points
Your score
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100
Final Exam
100
Neuro Essay
100
Group Presentation
50
Participation
50
Total points = 500 points for the entire course. Point values needed for final course letter grades:
Letter grade
Possible points needed
A+
488-500
A
463-487
A448-462
B+
438-447
B
413-437
B398-412
C+
388-397
C
363-387
C348-362
D+
338-347
D
313-337
D298-312
F
0-297
Extra credit:
Extra credit can be earned by participating in Psychology Research Experiments. You can earn a total of 10
extra points. Please bring me valid documentation indicating the name of the experiment you participated in
and the research coordinator’s contact information. Points will be added to your final point total at the end of
the semester
USF Sarasota-Manatee Policies and Procedures
Religious Observances
The University recognizes the right of students and faculty to observe major religious holidays. Students who anticipate the
necessity of being absent from class for a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in
writing, by the second week of classes.
http://generalcounsel.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-10-045.pdf
Disabilities Accommodation
Students are responsible for registering with the Office of Students with Disabilities Services (SDS) in order to receive
academic accommodations. Reasonable notice must be given to the SDS office (typically 5 working days) for
accommodations to be arranged. It is the responsibility of the student to provide each instructor with a copy of the official
Memo of Accommodation. www.sarasota.usf.edu/Students/Disability/
Contact Information:
Pat Lakey, Coordinator 941-359-4714 | plakey@sar.usf.edu
Academic Dishonesty
The University considers any form of plagiarism or cheating on exams, projects, or papers to be unacceptable behavior.
Please be sure to review the university’s policy in the USFSM Undergraduate Catalog or USFSM Graduate Catalog and the
USF Student Code of Conduct.
Undergraduate:
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
Graduate:
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
USF Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=88
Academic Disruption
The University does not tolerate behavior that disrupts the learning process. The policy for addressing academic disruption
is included with Academic Dishonesty in the USFSM Undergraduate Catalog or USFSM Graduate Catalog and the USF
Student Code of Conduct.
Undergraduate:
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
Graduate:
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
USF Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=88
Contingency Plans
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USFSM to suspend normal operations. During this time, USFSM
may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate,
Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site
for each class for course specific communication, and the main USFSM and College websites, emails, and MoBull
messages for important general information. The USF hotline at 1 (800) 992-4231 is updated with pre-recorded information
during an emergency.
Emergency Preparedness
It is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the USF Sarasota-Manatee Emergency Action Plan on the Safety
Preparedness site http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/facilities/SafetyPreparedness.php
Fire Alarm Instructions
At the beginning of each semester please note the emergency exit maps posted in each classroom. These signs are
marked with the primary evacuation route (red) and secondary evacuation route (orange) in case the building needs to be
evacuated.
Web Portal Information
Every newly enrolled USF student receives an official USF e-mail account. Students receive official USF correspondence
and Blackboard course information via that address. Therefore it is the student’s responsibility to check their USF email
regularly.
Withdrawal date: The last day to withdrawal from the class without academic penalty is March 23rd, 2013
Tentative Course Schedule:
I reserve the right to change dates. Any changes will be announced in class, on Blackboard and will be
updated on the syllabus.
Day
T
Date
1/8
Th
1/10
T
Th
T
Th
T
1/15
1/17
1/22
1/24
1/29
Th
T
Th
T
Th
1/31
2/5
2/7
2/12
2/14
T
Th
2/19
2/21
Topic
Introduction to Physio, History &
Ethics
Introduction to Physio, History &
Ethics
Internal Structure of Cells
Structure of Neurons
Action Potential
Chemical Release
***In class demonstration***
The Brain
Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology
Exam Review
EXAM 1
Methods and Strategies of
Physiological Research
Movement
Movement
***example Presentation by Dr.B***
T
Th
2/26
2/28
Sleep
Sleep
T
Th
3/5
3/7
Reproductive Behavior
Reproductive Behavior
T
Th
T
Th
T
3/12
3/14
3/19
3/21
3/26
SPRING BREAK!
SPRING BREAK!
Ingestive Behaviors
Exam Review
EXAM 2
Th
T
3/28
4/2
Learning and Memory
Learning and Memory
Th
T
4/4
4/9
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Th
T
4/11
4/16
Depression
Depression
Th
T
Th
Th
4/18
4/23
4/25
5/2
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and Anxiety
Exam Review
FINAL EXAM 1:30pm-3:30pm in
rm B224
Reading
Chapter 1
Assignment Due Dates
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
submit 1 review question
--------------Chapter 5
EXAM 1: Chapter 1-4
Chapter 8
Petzinger
article
Chapter 9
Boyce-Rustay
article
Chapter 10
Swaney
article
Neuro Essay Due
Chapter 12
--------------Chapter 13
Jacobsen
article
Chapter 16
Gastambide
article
Chapter 16
Ago
article
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
---------------
Group 1 presentation
Group 2 presentation
SPRING BREAK!
SPRING BREAK!
submit 1 review question
EXAM 2: Chapter 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 and
articles
Group 3 presentation
Group 4 presentation
Group 5 presentation
submit 1 review question
FINAL EXAM: Chapters 13, 16, 17 and
articles