3.0 Credits
PSYC 350: Cognitive Neuroscience
Spring 2016
Professor:
Bryan R. Burnham, PhD
Class Meetings:
Lecture: MWF 2:00PM – 2:50PM
Office:
206 Alumni Memorial Hall (AMH)
Office Phone:
x6687
Email:
attention.perform@gmail.com or bryan.burnham@scranton.edu
Twitter:
@DrShaggy (for information and satire)
Office Hours:
Mondays: 3:00PM – 4:00PM; Wednesdays: 3:00PM – 4:30PM; Fridays: 10:00AM – 11:30AM; or by appointment
Home Site:
www.bryanburnham.net
Course Page: http://www.bryanburnham.net/courses/psyc-350/
Course Description (From current Undergraduate Catalog): (Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in PSYC 210; PSYC/NEUR 231 or PSYC
234) This course explores the neural underpinnings of human cognition by introducing research on the relationship between mind and
brain. The course introduces and expands on neuroanatomy, research methods used to make inferences about brain bases of cognition
(e.g., imaging, electroencephalography, lesion studies), and computational approaches to cognitive neuroscience. Discussions and
activities focus on the brain bases of cognitive operations in perception, attention, memory, language, executive control, social
cognition, reasoning, and decision-making.
Psychology Program Goals
PSYC 350L Student Learning Outcomes
GOAL 1: Knowledge base in psychology
Outcome 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of cognitive neuroscience, an appreciation of the contemporary issues facing the field, and understand contemporary research
Outcome 2. gain insight into the brain bases of cognitive operations.
Outcome 1. Develop an understanding that cognitive neuroscience is based upon the assumption that the interplay between the mind and the brain can be studied rationally and intelligibly.
Outcome 2. Develop an understanding that cognitive neuroscience is an empirical discipline.
Outcome 3. Use appropriate methods to analyze and/or interpret data gathered in cognitive neuroscience-related tasks designed to test a hypothesis.
GOAL 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Required Materials:
1. Sacks, O. (2010) Mind’s Eye.
2. BrainVoyager Brain Tutor (v2.5). http://www.brainvoyager.com/downloads/downloads.html
3. Readings, which are available on the course website
Course Evaluation: Your performance in the lecture is will be based on the following:
1. Best 10 of 12 Weekly Quizzes (Every Wednesday)
20% of final grade
2. Midterm Exam
20% of final grade
3. Comprehensive Final Exam
30% of final grade
4. Lab-Type Activities and Assignments
20% of final grade
5. Reaction Papers (due most Mondays)
10% of final grade
Academic Integrity: Show your work, do not cheat, and do not plagiarize! Any student in violation of the Code of Academic Honesty
will receive a failing grade for the course and be referred to the proper authority. Unless noted, students are to work independently.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is grounds for a failing grade on a paper and possibly a failing grade for the class. It is your responsibility to know
what constitutes plagiarism; ignorance it not bliss.
Missed Exams: Students needing to miss an exam will have to take a makeup within one week. I will not offer a makeup unless you
provide a valid excuse, with documentation, before the scheduled exam. Missing a makeup for any reason will result in a zero. There
are no makeup quizzes, even with an excuse. Missed quizzes will count as a zero, which could be one of the dropped quizzes.
Attendance: You are allowed 4 absences (unexcused or excused) without penalty. On a 5th absence (unexcused or excused), your final
grade will be dropped to the next lowest (e.g., B to B-). For every additional 2 absences past a 5th absence, your final grade will be
dropped an additional grade (e.g., 7 absences drops a B to C+). If you have 11 or more absences, you will receive an F for the course.
Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy: Electronic devices including cell phones, tablets, laptops, mp3 players, etc., are to remain off
and kept in your bag, purse, etc. If you are texting during class, I will ask you to leave and mark you absent for that day.
Additional Policies: Please see my other policies, with explanations. Link: http://tinyurl.com/qblwymg
Class Meetings: Class meetings will be a combination of lectures, discussions, and lab-based activities. Here is the tentative run-down
of how every week will unfold in terms of class time:
Mondays: lecture and present new material
Wednesdays: give quiz, finish presenting new material, discuss readings or begin lab-type activity
Fridays: review quiz, discuss readings or lab-type activity, and give questions for reaction paper
*I reserve the right to change anything on the syllabus or schedule. Any changes will be reported immediately and be handed out as an addendum to the syllabus.*
Written Assignments: Assignments must be written using a word processor and be double-spaced with 12-point font and 1” - 1.5”
margins, and pages must be stapled. Papers are due at the beginning of class. Papers submitted at the end of class or later are
considered late and will be graded as follows: 1 day late: -15% 2 days late: -30% 3 days late: -45% > 3 days late: don't bother
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Schedule for Spring 2016
TOPIC
History and Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
NO Quiz; History and Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
History and Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
Nervous System, Neuroanatomy, Neurotransmitters
Quiz; Nervous System, Neuroanatomy, Neurotransmitters
Nervous System, Neuroanatomy, Neurotransmitters
Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience
Quiz; Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience
Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience
Lateralization, Hemispheric Specialization, Functional Localization
Quiz; Lateralization, Hemispheric Specialization, Functional Localization
Lateralization, Hemispheric Specialization, Functional Localization
Neural Underpinnings to Sensation and Perception
Quiz; Neural Underpinnings to Sensation and Perception
Neural Underpinnings to Sensation and Perception
Recognition and Higher Perceptual Functions
Quiz; Recognition and Higher Perceptual Functions
Recognition and Higher Perceptual Functions
Attention
Quiz; Spillover and Review
Midterm Exam
Spring & Easter Break
Spring & Easter Break
Spring & Easter Break
Spring & Easter Break
Attention
Attention
Attention
Quiz; Attention
Attention
Memory and Learning
Quiz; Memory and Learning
Memory and Learning
Imagery
Quiz; Imagery
Imagery
Language, reading, and Sentence Processing
Quiz; Language, reading, and Sentence Processing
Language, reading, and Sentence Processing
Cognitive Control, Executive Control, Frontal Lobe Functions
Quiz; Cognitive Control, Executive Control, Frontal Lobe Functions
Cognitive Control, Executive Control, Frontal Lobe Functions
Developmental Neuroscience, Plasticity
Quiz; Developmental Neuroscience, Plasticity
Spillover and Review
All
READING [Required] (Optional)
--[1,2,3,4]
[1,2,3,4]
[5, 6]; (7)
[5, 6]; (7)
[5, 6]; (7)
[8, 9, 10, 12, 15]; (11, 14)
[8, 9, 10, 12, 15]; (11, 14)
[8, 9, 10, 12, 15]; (11, 14)
[16, 17]
[16, 17]
[16, 17]
[18, 19, 21]; (20)
[18, 19, 21]; (20)
[18, 19, 21]; (20)
[22, 23, 24, 25]; (26, 27)
[22, 23, 24, 25]; (26, 27)
[22, 23, 24, 25]; (26, 27)
[29, 30. 32, 33]
------------[29, 30. 32, 33]
[29, 30. 32, 33]
[28, 31, 35]; (34)
[28, 31, 35]; (34)
[28, 31, 35]; (34)
[36, 38, 41, 42, 44]; (37, 39, 40, 43, 45)
[36, 38, 41, 42, 44]; (37, 39, 40, 43, 45)
[36, 38, 41, 42, 44]; (37, 39, 40, 43, 45)
[46, 47, 48]
[46, 47, 48]
[46, 47, 48]
[51, 52, 55, 56]; (49, 50, 53, 54)
[51, 52, 55, 56]; (49, 50, 53, 54)
[51, 52, 55, 56]; (49, 50, 53, 54)
[57, 58, 59, 62]; (60, 61)
[57, 58, 59, 62]; (60, 61)
[57, 58, 59, 62]; (60, 61)
[63, 64, 65, 66]
[63, 64, 65, 66]
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Reasonable Accommodations: Students needing special accommodations are encouraged to see me as soon as possible. It is essential
that students with disabilities register with the Office of Equity and Diversity (x6645) for accommodations. To receive the appropriate
accommodations, students with disabilities must register with the CTLE. Contact Mary Ellen Pichiarello (x4039) or Jim Muniz (x4218).