PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 465/565 section .002
Fall session, 2013
Bryan D. Devan, Ph.D.
CLASS MEETING: CLA Bldg, Room LA 3105, Mon & Wed,
SECTION .003: 2:00–3:15 PM
OFFICE AND PHONE: LA3146; 410.704.3727
OFFICE HOURS: Mon/Tue: 12-1 PM; Wed/Thur, 1-2 PM
EMAIL: bdevan@towson.edu
WEBSITES:
Homepage: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan
Class website: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/PSYC-465%20slides.htm
Other resources: http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/Physio_Psych.htm
Lab website (LCN): http://pages.towson.edu/bdevan/LCN.htm (Internet Explorer only)
TEXTBOOK: Pinel, J.P.J. (2011). Biopsychology (8th Ed.) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the physiological bases of behavior. The topics to be
considered are basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, sensory and motor systems, memory
systems, and “higher order” behavioral systems.
PREREQUISITES: You may remain in this course only if you have passed a General Biology
course with at least a grade of "C" (2.00 GPA) in that course. Among the courses at Towson
University that would satisfy the prerequisite are BIOL 110, 115, 190, 201, 213 or BIOL 120
plus the lab component 120L. You should also have at least 9 units of PSYC or the consent of
the instructor. If this is not the case, it is your responsibility to drop this course immediately.
Please present a transcript (either official or unofficial) to me by the second course meeting
so that I can verify that you have successfully completed the course prerequisites. An
unofficial transcript may be printed by going to online services on the Towson University
website. The trail is as follows: Self Service > Student Center > Transcript: View Unofficial
Transcript (This is found in the dropdown bar next to current class schedule). From there you
should be able to print a copy of your unofficial transcript.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a
basic/broad understanding of the biological foundations of behavior through a survey of
theoretical perspectives and research findings in different subfields of biopsychology (defined as
the scientific study of the biology of behavior). Although an exhaustive account of topics is not
possible in a mini-semester course, the general goals will include: 1) a review of basic concepts
in psychology and neuroscience to understand some contemporary problems biopsychologists
are attempting to answer, 2) a description of the research methods used in different subfields of
biopsychology and 3) a discussion of the former concepts and methods to promote critical
thinking and evaluation of biopsychological research findings.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will include a combination of lecture material, including
multimedia presentations, and open discussion of topics. The course is not constructed such that
the lectures will stand alone. You are expected to do the assigned readings before our discussion
of the material in class (that is, if the material will be discussed). Given the complexity of the
material, this may mean that you will have to read the assigned text more than once in order to
fully comprehend the material, especially if you have very little college background in the
biological sciences. I will make time to answer questions and review very difficult reading
material in class. However, I expect that you will be prepared for class by having read the
PSYC_465.002 2
assigned chapters/sections beforehand. If it becomes clear that students are not completing the
assigned reading on time I will give unscheduled quizzes that will count toward the final course
grade.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Examinations: There will be four equally weighted exams in this course covering
material from both the book and lectures. The format for these exams will be multiple
choice and short answer/short essay. Exams are given on the dates scheduled. Make-up
exams will only be given if an exam is missed due to a medical emergency or a religious
holiday (a doctor’s note with the physician’s phone number must be presented in case of
a medical emergency). No other reasons will be accepted. If you are going to miss an
exam, you must contact me in advance of the exam. If you do not contact me in advance,
you will not be permitted to make up the exam and will receive a 0 for that exam. All
makeup examinations will be short essay in format and must be completed within three
days of the student’s return to class. It is the student's responsibility to arrange this time
with the instructor.
Article Summary: Each student will write a brief summary (approximately 2-3 typed,
double-spaced pages) of one recent (no older than 2005) primary literature journal article
concerning some aspect of neurological/neuropsychological functioning (i.e., brain and
behavior; a list of suggested topics will be provided). The summary should include a
brief description of the study objectives, the basic methods used in the study, the basic
results of the study, and conclusions including your critique of the study/article. A copy
of the journal article (including reference section) must be included with the summary.
GRADING: Each of the four examinations will be worth 50 points. The written Article Summary
will be worth a total of 50 points and will be graded on content, style, and format. Late written
summaries are penalized 10% of the point value for each day the assignment is late (including
Sat and Sun). The total number of points attainable in this course will be 200. The final grade
will be determined by the total number of points accumulated from the summary paper and the
three examinations. Several extra credit questions will be included on each examination. No
other extra credit will be possible.
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D+
D
F
Percentage Range
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
70-76%
67-69%
60-66%
< 59%
Total Point Range
234-250
224-233
217-223
207-216
199-206
192-198
174-191
166-173
149-165
< 148
The plus (“+”, for grades falling in the upper 2% of a grade range, except that there is no “A+”)
and minus (“-“, for grades falling in the lower 2% of a grade range, except that there is no “D-“
or “C-“) grades noted above will be given in the case of borderline performance.
GRADUATE CREDIT: Students taking this course for graduate credit (PSYC.565) should
see me immediately to arrange the extra assignment needed to receive graduate credit for
the course. This assignment will be due no later than the last day of class. If the
assignment is judged to reflect graduate level work, the student will receive the grade
PSYC_465.002 3
earned on the examinations, summary paper and summary presentation. If the
assignment is judged not to reflect graduate level performance, the student will receive a
grade one or more letters lower than that earned on the examinations, summary paper and
summary presentation.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY EXPECTATIONS: Towson University’s full policy to address the variety
of behaviors that represent a breach of academic integrity can be found in Appendix F of the
University Catalog. In addition, if you type in “Academic Integrity Policy” in the search box in
the upper right-hand corner of the Towson University webpage, you will be taken to a page of
links. Click on “Towson University Policies” and open the “Academic Affairs” link. You will
find a link to the full Academic Integrity Policy at that location. The site can be access by
clicking the following link: https://inside.towson.edu/generalcampus/tupolicies/documents/0301.00%20Student%20Academic%20Integrity%20Policy.pdf
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. There are several
types of plagiarism. The most obvious variety occurs when an individual presents someone
else’s ideas as his/her own. This plagiarism can be avoided simply by giving credit to the
appropriate source. A second type occurs when credit has been given but the individual uses the
same wording or nearly the same wording as the source. This also is plagiarism and can be
avoided by substantially recasting the idea in your own words. Looking at someone else’s paper
during an exam or giving aid to someone else during an exam will be interpreted as cheating.
The first instance of either plagiarism or cheating will result in an automatic zero for the
examination or assignment in question. The second instance will result in and automatic failure
of the course and possible suspension from the University.
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected and is necessary for good performance.
Attendance will be taken on a regular basis and will be considered in the case of a borderline
grade. You are responsible for any material or information presented in class, whether you
attend or not. I strongly recommend that you make arrangements with others in the class ahead
of time to find out what you will miss if you cannot attend class.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you need accommodation due to a disability, please make an
appointment to see me, and bring a statement from Disability Support Services (4-2638)
authorizing your accommodation.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This course may be repeated only once
without the prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT (TU Office of the Provost): In the event of a University-wide
emergency, course requirements deadlines and grading schemes are subject to changes that may
include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class
materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or
grading scheme. In the case of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the following about
changes in this course:
Course web page (see above)
Instructor’s email (see above)
Emergency telephone number (i.e., my mobile # -- 410/446-1425)
For general information about any emergency situation, please refer to the following:
1) Towson University’s Website: www.towson.edu
2) TU Text Alert System: This is a service designed to alert the Towson
University community via text messages to cell phones when situations arise on
campus that affect the ability of the campus to function normally. Sign up:
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/police/campusemergency/
PSYC_465.002 4
Please note: I will attempt to communicate with you via your Towson e-mail address, the course
webpage (given above) and/or the course Blackboard site.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that emit
audible sounds during class. This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Date
Topic/Text Chapter (section)
Aug 28
Sept 2
Sept 4
Sept 9
Sept 11
Sept 16
Sept 18
Sept 23
Sept 25
Sept 30
Oct 2
Oct 7
Oct 9
Oct 14
Oct 16
Oct 21
Oct 23
Oct 28
Oct 30
Nov 4
Nov 6
Nov 11
Nov 13
Nov 18
Nov 20
Nov 25
Lecture: Introduction to Biopsychology
Labor Day (no class)
Lecture: Localization of Function, Ch 1
Biopsychology & neuroscience, Ch 1
Biopsychology & neuroscience, Ch 1
Neuroanatomy, Ch 3
Neuroanatomy, Ch 3
Neuroanatomy, Ch 3
Documentary: Secrets of the Mind
Review
Exam 1
Neurophysiology, Ch 4 (sec.1-.4)
Neurophysiology, Ch 4 (sec.1-.4)
Synaptic transmission, Ch 4 (sec.5-.7)
Synaptic transmission, Ch 4 (sec.5-.7)
Psychopharmacology, Ch 18 (sec.1-.2)
Review
Exam 2
Methods I – Brain (human), Ch 5 & lecture
Methods I – Brain (animal), Ch 5 & lecture
Methods II - Behavior, Ch 5 & lecture
Vision I, Ch 6
Vision II, Ch 6; Ch 7.1 (sensory organization)
Documentary: Brain Transplant
Review (Ch 12 sec.1-.4; Ch 13 sec.1-.2)
16
Dec 2
Dec 4
Dec 9
Thanksgiving (Nov 27 - Dec 1)
Motor (sensori-motor) systems Ch 8
Learning, memory and amnesia, Ch 11
Review (Ch 10 sec.3-.5; Ch 17 sec.1-.2)
17
Dec 18
12:30-2:30 PM LA 3105
15
Exams/Assignments
Topics Due
Exam 3
Article Summary Due
Final Exam
(not cumulative)