Psychology 471/505, Section A1
Neurophysiology: Theory, Methods and Analysis Course Syllabus
Fall session, 2019 Wednesday 13:00 – 15:50
Location: BS M 141
Contacts:
Instructor:
Dr. C.T. Dickson
Office: P439 Biological Sciences Phone:780-492-7860
Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:00-12:50 Email: [email protected]
About your Instructor:
Please see my research website: http://web.psych.ualberta.ca/~cdickson/
Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar
Objectives and Description:
This course is designed to be an advanced neurophysiological course describing techniques typical for
behavioural and systems neuroscience. We will discuss the theory and methods of neurophysiological recording and typical time series methods of analysis. These aspects will be supplemented by assignments which will highlight and review topics discussed in the class. Finally we will put this knowledge to use by examining topical articles that use the described methods.
Prerequisites:
PSYCO 371, 375, 377 or ZOOL 342 or PMCOL 371 or PHYSL 372. If you do not have the appropriate prerequisites your registration in this class will be in jeopardy.
Required Text:
None. Readings will be provided by the instructor (see online resources, below).
Meetings:
Our meetings will be designed to provide a forum to enhance understanding of the general principles outlined in the readings. They will be structured in a seminar style and class participation WILL be required. In many cases students will lead the discussion.
Schedule:
See attached. Updated schedule is available online (see online resources, below).
Online Resources:
eClassThe course web site will be useful for many reasons: 1) For class information and announcements, 2) for accessing additional readings, 3) for accessing lecture notes and 4) for accessing and submitting assignments.
Expectations:
I expect students to be familiar with and to follow University Regulations (Sections 20-26 in the University Calendar:http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=806). I expect a high degree of decorum in our relationship. Students can expect to be treated politely, professionally and honestly. I expect no less in return. I and your fellow students will appreciate your prompt attendance, preparation, attention, and quiescence in class. I also look forward to our interaction, which will require active participation on your part.
Evaluation:
Undergraduates will be evaluated through participation in discussions, presentations, quizzes and exercises as well as a final examination. Graduates will be evaluated similarly but will not be required to write a final
examination instead having to a) lead a class discussion and b) write a paper on a topical subject to be decided upon in consultation with the instructor. The following is a breakdown of the final grade:
Class participation: UGrad 10%; Grad 10%
Show up, stay awake, ask, and answer questions
Quizzes and class assignments/homework: UGrad 30%; Grad 30%
In class quizzes will be held almost every week concerning current and past reading material
Assignments will combine both theoretical and practical aspects of the course in an attempt to show you direct application of course material
Presentation: UGrad only 30%; (topic and schedule to be decided – see instructor)
Illustrate the topics discussed in class by presenting an original journal article assigned by the instructor.
These papers will use particular techniques/analyses learnt during the course.
Due date to choose approved article: Oct 9th
Lecture: Grad only 30% (topic and schedule to be decided – see instructor)
Grad students will lead one in class “lecture”, timing and topic to be assigned by the instructor and dependent on enrollment.
Due date for approved topic finalization: Oct 9th Term Exam: Ugrad 30%; Grad 10%
Material from quizzes and exercises will be given in a sit-down format.
To be held in classroom on Oct 30 Final Paper: Grad only 20%
Present a peer-review of an article chosen by your professor.
Article/topic to be given out on Nov 27
Due just before last class (Dec 4th @14:00)
Grading:
The following (approximate) grading scale will be used to compute your final grade.
505 Grade:
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C- to FRating: Impossibly
Superb Excellent Very
Good Good Reasonably
Good Satisfactory Not good Fail Final mark (%) 100-95 95-90 90-85 85-80 80-75 75-70 70-65 >65
471 Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
(Approximate) Final Mark (%)
100- 95
95- 90
90- 85
85- 80
80- 75
75- 70
70- 65
65- 60
60- 55
55- 53
53- 50
<50
Missed Quizzes/Assignments/Papers/Examinations:
Quiz and assignments
Missed/late assignments/papers and quizzes will be assigned a zero. Please don’t miss class and please hand in your work on time. For this component, I will forgive one bad mark/missed quiz in computing the average.
Term Examination
All students must write the term exam on the assigned day. An absence will result in a grade that will be computed using a raw score of zero for the exam.*
*Students applying for a deferred exam for valid reasons must contact the instructor within 48 hours of the scheduled exam. Rescheduling the exam will be at the instructor’s discretion. Inability to write the deferred exam will result in a raw score of zero being assigned.
Academic Offences:
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.
For a quick review of the types of behaviour that constitute academic dishonesty please review the leaflet:
“Don’t do it”. This can be found by searching the U of A website.
For a sobering look at real-life examples of breaking the code (and most importantly, their impact) type:
“Hall of Shame” on the U of A’s web search engine.
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offense will be reported to the Senior Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Anyone who engages in a sanctionable behaviour will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the component 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.
Cheating: No student shall, in the course of an exam, obtain information from another student or unauthorised source or have someone else represent them. It is an equal offence to deliver information to another student in any form or to represent another student during the course of an exam.
Plagiarism: No student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the student’s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
Recording of material:
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).
Final Thoughts:
This course is an intense but rewarding one that will require a lot of work but promises to give back more than you put in. Expect to be challenged by extensive reading and participation in each and every class.
