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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 370"
COURSE NAME: "Psychobiology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Hope
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course provides an overview of the field of psychobiology. Drawing both from the biological and psychological sciences, the course introduces students to the structures and functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems, with a focus on how they influence mental processes and behavior.
Students will gain the foundational knowledge to understand how biological processes inform the human experience. They will learn how the activity of neurons can yield simple motor actions as well as complex behavioral states and functions (e.g., motivation).
Sample topics include: the basic anatomy of the nervous system, neural communication, brain development, as well as the neural basis of sensation, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, sleep and consciousness.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

We will broadly follow the text book: Biological Psychology, 13th Edition. James W. Kalat.

Most sessions will begin with a presentation relating to the material for that day (as specified in the course schedule). Students are advised but not required to read the material before the session. However, some sessions will be run as flipped classrooms, with students expected to read the relevant material beforehand and then be prepared to discuss / present the material when they come to class. Students will be warned which sessions are flipped, at least 1 week before they occur.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

-    Understand the key concepts, principles, and theories in psychobiology as well as the application of psychobiology research.

-    Understand the questions addressed and critically evaluate the methods used in psychobiology.

-    Understand and evaluate psychobiology research, including quantitative data (e.g., statistics, graphs, tables).

-    Accurately summarize and present information from psychological sources.

-    Demonstrate awareness of the ethical issues associated with psychobiology research.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Biological Psychology, 11th EditionJames W. KalatCengage Learning1111839522  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final ExamA set of short questions, involving either multiple choice or short textual answers.30
Home essay 1A short essay (max. 2000 words; recommended ~1000 words) on one of a set of questions, issued at the end of week 4. Students have 1 week to complete the assignment.20
Home essay 2A short essay (max. 1000 words) on one of a set of questions, issued at the end of week 8. Students have 1 week to complete the assignment.20
Continuous assessmentAssessment based on attendance and participation in class. Particular weight will be given to flipped sessions, in which students will have to discuss / present information that they have read before the session.30
   

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. Your final grade will be based, in part, on your attendance and participation in class. Moreover, while the classes will broadly follow our text book, they will also deviate from that text, and everything we cover in class could form part of the final exam. Please aim to arrive at class on time, and to stay until the end of the session, as late arrivals and early departures are disruptive for others.

You cannot make-up the final exam without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

  • Week 1: Introduction + Action Potential  (Intro, textbook, pp. 3-14)
  •  Week 2: Synapses (chapter 2)
  • Week 3: Nervous system anatomy (chapter 3)
  • Week 4: Genetics, evolution, and development (chapter 4)
  • Week 5: Vision (chapter 5)
  • Week 6: Other senses (chapter 6)
  • Week 7: Internal regulation (chapter 9) 
  • Week 8:  Attention, Working Memory, Consciousness (Readings TBA) 
  • Week 9  Learning and Memory (chapter 12)
  • Week 10 Sleep (chapter 8)
  • Week 11 Emotion (chapter 11)
  • Week 12  Psychological Disorders (chapter 14)
  •  Week 13: Neurological Disorders (Readings TBA)
  •  Week 14: Review of course material for the final exam