PSYC 2750 - Brain & Behavior

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives:

1. Describe in detail the general layout of the nervous system.
2. List the major structures found within each of the five divisions of the brain, and their functions.
3. Compare and contrast the processes of communication within and between neurons.

Outcome 2: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain the biological bases of sensation and perception.

Objectives:

1. Trace the pathway of a given sensory system from the periphery to the cortex.
2. Explain the concept of “receptive field” with reference to the levels of the visual pathway.
3. Discuss the three principles of sensory system organization with reference to a given sensory system.
4. Describe two patients with perceptual difficulties, and discuss the relationship between their symptoms and underlying brain abnormalities.

Outcome 3: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the structure and function of the motor systems of the body.

Objectives:

1. List the brain areas involved in movement.
2. Compare and contrast the four descending motor pathways.
3. Explain the concept of a “sensorimotor program” with reference to a case study of a patient with movement problems.

Outcome 4: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the causes, outcomes, and treatment of damage to the nervous system.

Objectives:

1. List six causes of brain damage.
2. Compare and contrast the causes and symptoms of two of the major neuropsychological diseases.
3. Identify the ways in which the nervous system responds to damage
4. Describe the ways in which nervous system damage is treated in medical and rehabilitative settings.

Outcome 5: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the brain mechanisms of learning, memory and amnesia.

Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast the causes and symptoms of two of the major forms of amnesia.
2. Identify the brain areas involved in storing memories.
3. Describe changes at the synaptic level that could underlie memory formation.

Outcome 6: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain the biological bases of motivated behaviors including eating, sex, and sleep.

Objectives:

1. Identify the internal (physiological) and external factors involved in hunger and satiety, both normal and abnormal.
2. Discuss the role of hormones and the nervous system in sexual behavior and sexual orientation.
3. List the brain areas involved in sleep and sleep disorders.

Outcome 7: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the role of the nervous system in addiction, emotion, stress, and language.

Objectives:

1. Explain how the brain changes as a result of drug addiction.
2. Identify the brain areas involved in emotion.
3. Explain how the brain and the immune system are affected by stress.
4. Describe the “split brain” operation and explain what it has revealed about the biological basis of language and language disorders.

Outcome 8: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain the biological bases of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.

Objectives:

1. Describe the causes, symptoms and treatment of schizophrenia with reference to the brain.
2. Compare and contrast the biology of affective disorders and anxiety disorders, including brain mechanisms and treatment.
3. Summarize the controversy around the use of psychotherapeutic medications.

Outcome 9: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to think critically about biopsychology.

Objectives:

1. Explain how the scientific method is used to study brain and behavior relationships.
2. Discuss the connections between academic material in biopsychology and real world issues (e.g. ethics, personal health, etc.)
3. Explain how an understanding of the diseased or damaged brain informs our understanding of the normal brain, with reference to clinical case studies.

1. Foundations of Biopsychology
   1. Introduction to the Study of Brain and Behavior
   2. Anatomy of the Nervous System
   3. Physiology of the Nervous System
2. Sensory and Motor Systems
   1. Sample Sensory System: Vision
   2. Perceptual Mechanisms
   3. The Sensorimotor System
3. Brain Plasticity
   1. Nervous System Development
   2. Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity
   3. Learning, Memory, and Amnesia
4. Biopsychology of Motivation
   1. Hunger and Eating
   2. Sex
   3. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
5. Biopsychology of Health
   1. Addiction, Emotion, and Stress
   2. Lateralization, Language, and the Split Brain
   3. Psychological Disorders