University of Alberta
PSYCO 275 – Brain and Behaviour Section X01
Spring 2018
Instructor: Shannon K. Mischler
Office: BS-P551 (Biological Sciences Building, Psychology wing, must take the psychology elevator to the 5th floor, do not take the stairs).
Office Hours: M W: 8:00-9:00 pm (hour directly after class)
E-mail: [email protected], also [email protected] Web Page: Lecture material will be posted, and can be accessed via eClass
Lecture Room & Time: SAB 331, M W: 5:00-7:50pm
T.A.: Jeff Pisklak
Office: BS-P553 (Biological Sciences Building, Psychology wing, must take the psychology elevator to the 5th floor, do not take the stairs).
Office Hours: W: 2:00 -3:00 pm E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description: An introduction to brain mechanisms involved in sensation, perception, movement, motivation, learning, and cognition, as studied in both humans and lower animals.
Learning objectives: This course begins with an introduction to biopsychology 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 brain) is involved in sensation and perception, and its potential for recovery (neuroplasticity) following
damage. Brain circuits associated with higher order cognitive functions, such as language (and its lateralization) and memory will also be discussed. Student should have a working understanding of the physiological processes underlying basic brain functions (i.e.
sensation, movement, psychiatric disease, and sleep), by the end of the course.
Course Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PSYCO 104 or SCI 100, and Biology 30 or equivalent. It is important to prepare yourself for this course through a review of the prerequisite material. Students who do not have the required prerequisites at the time of taking this course should not expect supplementary professorial tutoring from the instructor
Required Textbook: Pinel, J. P. J. & Barnes, S. J. (2017). Biopsychology (10th edition), Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Higher Education. **Earlier editions of the text are fine, however readings and page numbers will only be provided for the 10th edition.
Grade Evaluation:
COMPONENT WEIGHTING DATE
Test 1 30% May 23
Test 2 30% June 4
Final Exam 35% TBA (June 14-15*)
Assignment 5% June 11
* Students must verify this date on BearTracks when the Final Exam schedule is posted.
Also there is NO possibility of a re-examination in this course for the final examination.
Format of Exams:
The midterm tests will consist of mainly multiple-choice questions (60-65
approximately), and one or two short answer questions. The midterms will be written during class time in the first 80 minutes of lecture time. Following a 10-minute break, lecture will resume for the last 80 minutes of class. Each midterm will cover independent material. The final exam is cumulative, with a greater emphasis on new material since Test 2, and will be 2 hours in length, and be approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, with 1 or 2 short answer questions.
Format of Assignment:
You will be required to read a research paper on the interaction of brain and behaviour in a songbird species, the black-capped chickadee, by Pravasudov & Omanska (2005), and answer a series of short answer questions about the paper. This assignment will consist of approximately 5-6 short answer questions, and is due on June 11th, 2018. Late
assignments will be deducted 30% per day of lateness.
Tentative Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
STATEMENTS:
Missed Term Exams and Assignments: For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within three days of the start of Spring classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request.
Week Dates Topic Readings
1 May 7 Biopsychology as a Neuroscience Evolution, Genetics, and Experience
Ch. 1 Ch. 2
1 May 9 Anatomy of the nervous system Ch. 3
2 May 14 Ch. 3 continued
Neural conduction and synaptic transmission
Ch. 3/Ch. 4
2 May 16 Ch. 4 continued Ch. 4
3 May 21 Victoria Day (no classes)
3 May 23 TEST 1
Research methods in biopsychology
Ch. 5
4 May 28 Ch. 5 continued
The visual system
Ch. 5/Ch. 6
4 May 30 Ch. 6 continued
Perception
Ch. 6/Ch. 7
5 June 4 Ch. 7 continued
The sensorimotor system
Ch. 7/ Ch. 8
5 June 6 TEST 2
Ch. 8 continued
Ch. 8
6 June 11 ASSIGNMENT DUE
Brain damage and neuroplasticity Learning, memory and amnesia
Ch. 10 & Ch.
11
6 June 13 Ch. 11 continued
Lateralization, Language & split brain
Ch. 16
A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons must contact the instructor within 48 hours to assess the reasons for the absence and to determine whether a deferred midterm or assignment can be granted. 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 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
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=4939#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.
Final deferred exam date will be July 18th from 5 – 7pm.
GRADING DISTRIBUTION
95.00-100 : A+
85.00-94.99: A 80.00-84.99: A- 75.00-79.99: B+
70.00-74.99: B 67.51-69.99: B- 65.00-67.50: C+
62.51-64.99: C 60.00-62.50: C- 55.00-59.99: D+
50.00-54.99: D
<50 : F
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
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.
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).
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).
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.
Copyright: Dr. Shannon K. Mischler, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2018)
