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PSYCHOLOGY 478 – Behaviour and Brain Chemistry
Winter 2018 – MWF 3:00-3:50 PM CAB 235 Instructor: Dr. Matthew Churchward
Office: Clinical Sciences Building 12-131A Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: M or F 2:00-2:45 PM or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Erin Scully Email: [email protected]
Prerequisites: One of PSYCO 371, 375, or 377
Course Description:
The influence of environmental and genetic factors on the relationship between chemistry of the brain and the behaviour of humans and animals.
Course Objectives:
The objective of this course is to introduce the topic of neuropsychopharmacology, and explore the relationship between brain chemistry and normal and abnormal human behaviour. This course will discuss the major neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, their functions and dysfunctions in behaviour and disease, and the effects of psychoactive and psychotherapeutic (licit and illicit) drugs on neurochemistry and behaviour.
Recommended Resources:
Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior 2nd Ed (2013) Jerrold Meyer and Linda Quenzer
*Recommended but not required
Grade Evaluation:
Marks will be calculated at the end of the term as a percentage and converted to a 4-point/letter grade as outlined below:
A+
94+
A 89-93
A- 84-88
B+
79-83 B 74-78
B- 69-73
C+
65-68 C 60-64
C- 56-59
D+
51-55 D 45-50
F
< 45
This grade translation is approximate; the instructor reserves the right to use expert judgment to adjust the grades as necessary. This course will not be graded on a curve. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
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Evaluation:
Paper proposal (5%) and paper assignment (25%): Term work includes a 1-page paper proposal worth 5% and a paper assignment worth 25%, details will be discussed in class and posted to eClass. The proposal is due
February 29 by 11:59 PM (eClass submission), and the paper assignment is due March 29 by 11:59 PM (eClass submission). Late assignments will be penalized at 10% per day (end of day for email or eClass submission is midnight).
eClass quizzes (three at 3% each): Brief, online open-book quizzes will be posted for each of the three major units. Exams will be accessible for 5 days (Mon – Fri) and can be completed at the students convenience.
Midterm exams (two at 18% each) and comprehensive final exam (25%): Students will be evaluated with two midterm exams, each worth 20% of the final grade. The cumulative final exam will be worth 35%. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions and will be taken from the course notes
Representative evaluative material will be made available on eClass prior to the first midterm.
Tentative Lecture Schedule:
Date Topic Textbook
Unit 1 January 10 – 15 Pharmacology and research methods Ch 1, 4
January 17 – 19 Acetylcholine Ch 7
January 22 – 24 Catecholamines Ch 5, 20.4-5
January 26 – 29 Serotonin (5-HT) Ch 6, 19.3-5 February 5 Midterm review
February 7 Midterm #1
Unit 2 January 31 – Feb 12 Amino acid neurotransmitters Ch 8 February 14 – 28 Neuropeptides
March 2 – 5 Opiates and opioids Ch 11
March 12 Midterm Review
March 14 Midterm #2
Unit 3 March 7 – 19 Psychostimulants Ch 12-13 March 21 – 23 Anxiolytic and sedative hypnotics Ch 18
March 26 – 28 Alcohol Ch 10
April 4 – 11 Cannabis and hallucinogens Ch 14, 15
April 13 Exam review
Important Dates and Deadlines:
Weight Tentative Date
Paper Proposal 5% Monday Feb 26, 11:59 PM (eClass) Paper Assignment 25% Monday Mar 26, 11:59 PM (eClass) eClass quizzes 3% Week of Jan 29 – Feb 2
3% Week of March 5 – 9 3% Week of April 9 – 13
Mid-term Exam 1 18% Wednesday Feb 7, 3PM( in class) Mid-term Exam 2 18% Wednesday Mar 14, 3PM (in class) Final Exam 25% TBA
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WARNING: Students are responsible for verifying exam dates on Beartracks when the official Final Exam Schedule is posted. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Missed Term Exams and Assignments:
A student who cannot write a midterm examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply to have the weight of the midterm deferred to the final exam, or an extension of time for a missed assignment. A student is required to notify the instructor within 48 hours of a missed exam to arrange a deferral.
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 Final Examination:
A student who cannot write the final examination due to religious conviction, incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. 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 a Statutory Declaration or other appropriate documentation (Calendar section 23.5.6). For an excused absence where the cause is religious conviction, a student must contact the instructor within two weeks of the start of classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, when relevant).
Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request. 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.
Deferred final exams will be written Wednesday May 24th at 2PM in Clinical Sciences 12-102.
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 (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) 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 forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights.
As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
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EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. 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. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars. Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services - SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility- related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations. Contact SAS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’
Union Building).
Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class.
The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Note: Recording is permitted only with the prior written consent of the professor or if recording is part of an approved accommodation plan.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Dr. Matthew Churchward
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta
