Brain and Behaviour PSYCO 275, A1 Fall 2019

(1)

Brain and Behaviour PSYCO 275, A1

Fall 2019

Instructor: Dr. Kyle E. Mathewson Office: P455 Biological Sciences

E-mail: [email protected] Web Page: eClass

Office Hours: Twitter @MathKyle Teaching Assistant(s):

Sarah Sheldon – Twitter @sssheldo by appointment at [email protected] Lecture Room & Time:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:20 PM, CCIS L2-190

Course Description: An introduction to brain mechanisms involved in sensation, perception, movement, motivation, learning, and cognition, as studied in both humans and lower animals. Faculty of Science. Prerequisites: PSYCO 104 or SCI 100.

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:

This course is the flagship of the neuroscience stream in Psychology. It begins with an introduction to Physiological Psychology and its methods, followed by an extensive review of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. This includes how the nervous system (particularly the forebrain) is involved in sensation and perception and its potential for modification (neuroplasticity) following learning. Brain circuits associated with higher order cognitive functions, such as attention and memory, will also be

discussed as will the mechanisms of biological rhythms like sleep.

Student's goals should be to develop an understanding of the fundamental elements of physiology and how they relate to psychology and to acquire critical thinking skills. The latter can be only achieved through a detailed comprehension of the subject matter combined with active participation.

Required Textbook:

Kolb, Whishaw, Teskey (2016) An Introduction to Brain and Behavior (5^th edition) New York, Worth

(2)

Online learning resources:

This textbook comes with optional online resources. These include practise questions/exams.

Additional learning resources aimed at facilitating student learning and perhaps including formative assessment tools, are available from the textbook publisher and may be

accessed for a fee paid by the student to the third party provider (e.g. the textbook company). Students choosing to access and use the online resources should note the following:

1. Registration in the system and any monetary transactions are of your own accord and not the responsibility of the University.

2. Students should be mindful of protecting their personal information and should be aware of how their personal information might be used and/or shared.

3. Students SHOULD NOT use their @ualberta email address or CCID to register Launchpad online resource instructions:

Follow these steps to get started. If you need additional guidance, consult the support site, especially the system requirements which list recommended browsers.

Go to https://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/kolbintro5e/11395004

Bookmark the page to make it easy to return to (although note that the URL will look different due to security measures).

Enroll in this course using one of the following options:

1. If you have an access code, select "I have a student access code", enter the code exactly as it appears on the card, and click Submit.

2. If you don't have an access code, either purchase a text package that includes one OR click "I want to purchase access" and follow the instructions.

3. If you need to start working but can't purchase right away, select "I want temporary access" and follow the instructions. Please note: Your grades are linked to your Launchpad account username (email address). If you use

temporary access, make sure you purchase or register your code using the same email address for your paid access.

If you have problems registering, purchasing, or logging in, please contact Customer Support.

You can reach a representative 7 days a week:

• through the online form

• by chat

• by phone at (800) 936-6899

(3)

Important Dates: See the current Calendar for the Academic Schedule, Dates, and Deadlines, which include the Registration Add/Drop deadline and Withdrawal date.

Registration/Drop with no fees – September 16 Drop date with 50% fees – October 3

Reading week – November 12-15 Final Drop Deadline – November 29 Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:

Date Topic Readings

Sep 3 Intro Chapter 1

Sep 5 Background Chapter 1

Sep 10 Anatomy 1 Chapter 2

Sep 19 Signalling 1 Chapter 4

Oct 1 Midterm Exam Chapters 1-5

Oct 3 Research Methods 1 Chapter 7

Oct 10 Research Methods 2 Chapter 7

Oct 15 Vision 1 Chapter 9

Oct 24 Hearing 1 Chapter 10

Oct 29 Sensorimotor 1 Chapter 11

Oct 31 Sensorimotor 2 Chapter 11

Nov 5 Midterm Exam Chapter 7, 9-11

Nov 7 Psychopharmacology Chapter 6

Nov 12 Reading Week

Nov 14 Reading Week

Nov 19 Emotion and Motivation Chapter 12

Nov 21 Emotion and Motivation Chapter 12

Nov 26 Sleep and Dream Chapter 13

Nov 28 Sleep and Dream Chapter 13

Dec 3 Learning and Memory Chapter 14

Dec 5 Learning and Memory Chapter 14

Check Beartracks Final Exam Chapters 6, 12-14

(4)

Grade Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated through a series of exams: two in-class midterms, each worth 31% and one final exam worth 38% of your final grade. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. There is no possibility of a re- examination for the final exam in this course.

Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms. See Calendar information on Conduct of Exams for more information.

WARNING: Students must verify the final exam date on BearTracks when the Final Exam Schedule is posted

Your final grade in the course is a weighted sum of the grades from each exam:

Final Grade (%) = (Midterm1 * 33%) + (Midterm2 * 33%) + (Final * 33%) This table contains an approximate guideline for the course, however the instructor reserves the right to adjust this table to correspond to University-suggested ranges and assign appropriate grades based on relative performance.

Grading Distribution:

≥ 95 90-95 85-90 80-85 75-80 70-75 66-70 62-66 58-62 54-58 50-54 <50

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F

Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.

Exam Chapters Weight Questions Date

Midterm 1 1-5 1/3 70 Oct 1

Midterm 2 7, 9-11 1/3 70 Nov 5

Final Exam 6, 12-14 1/3 70 TBA

(5)

Missed Term Exams:

For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within two weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes to request

accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request.

A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred midterm examination. In all cases, instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the reason for the absence, at their discretion. Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.

Deferred Midterm: The instructor must be contacted within two working days following the missed exam. We reserve the right to refuse requests deemed to be unsubstantiated. For those granted an excused absence, the student will typically be required to write a make-up exam (at the instructor’s discretion). If this is missed, a raw score of zero will be assigned for the make-up exam.

Deferred Final Examination: A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling

reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working days of the missed examination and must be supported by appropriate documentation or a Statutory Declaration (see Calendar for information on Attendance). Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. If granted by the Faculty office, the deferred final exam will be written on Wednesday, January 8, at 09:30.

Missing the deferred exam will result in a raw score of zero.

(6)

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.

Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in

suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

All students should consult the Academic Integrity website for clarification on the various offences. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.

All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of the Faculty, who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. See the Academic Discipline Process. Sanctions range from a grade of zero for an exam or paper in question, with no opportunity to replace the grade or redistribute the weights, to a disciplinary failing grade with a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.

Recording and/or Distribution of Course Materials: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).

STUDENT RESOURCES:

Accessibility Resources (AR) (1 – 80 SUB): The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. AR promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed

environment. For general information to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage. Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility-related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with AR deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations.

Academic Success Centre (1-80 SUB): The Academic Success Centre provides professional academic support to help students strengthen their academic skills and achieve their academic goals. Individual advising, appointments, and group workshops are available year round in the areas of Accessibility, Communication, Learning, and Writing Resources. Modest fees apply for some services.

(7)

Health and Wellness Support: There are many health and community services available to current students. For more information visit the Health and Wellness Support webpage.

Office of the Student Ombuds: The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.

LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of Science are committed to ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.

Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website (e.g., eClass). The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.

Copyright: Dr. Kyle E. Mathewson, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2019)