Santa Ana College
PSYC 200 • Introduction to Biological Psychology • 3 Units Spring Intersession 2019
#61114• Mon-Thurs 9:00 am- 12:20 pm. • I-109 Instructor: Kelly Spillman

E-Mail: spillman_kelly@sac.edu

Textbook: Brain and Behavior 5^th edition by Garrett and Hough

ISBN: 978-1-5063-4920-6

Course Description: This course details the functional and anatomical aspects of the nervous system in order to interpret behavior in terms of physiological processes. Topics include the cellular and organizational structure of the nervous system, the effects of psychoactive substances on the nervous system, the means by which sensory systems detect and process environmental events, and the biological basis of a variety of complex behaviors and mental processes.

 

Note: Subject matter discussed in this course is mature, sensitive, and controversial in nature. Some topics covered in biological psychology such as: animal experimentation, addiction, human sexuality and sexual orientation as well as other topics that may make you uncomfortable. If you are not able to analyze and discuss these topics in a mature, rational way, you should consider dropping the course.

 

Course Student Learning Outcome: Assess the influence of a variety of biological factors including neural and hormonal mechanisms that impact behavior and mental processes such as perception, sleep and dreaming, reproductive behaviors, memory, language and psychological disorders.

GRADING SYSTEM:

In-Class Assignments                                 100 points

Best 2 grades of 3 Assignments                200 points

Quizzes                                                         100 points

4 Tests (150 points each)                            600 points

 

Grading Scale

895 points or higher        A

795 to 894 points              B

695 to 794 points              C

595 to 694 points              D

594 points or below         F

 

In-Class Assignments: There will be several in-class assignments throughout the semester. These may involve group work or individual work. In-class assignments cannot be made up so it is important to show up to class on time and stay for the entire class period. You will only receive credit for these assignments by completing them fully. There is no partial credit. You will not receive credit if using phones or laptops and cell phones during the in-class assignments or discussion.

 

Quizzes: There will be a quiz given on the first 5-7 minutes of class. This quiz covers information covered in the previous class. We will not have a quiz on test days. Quizzes will be multiple-choice or short answer questions. Please do not open notes, laptops or use phones until all quizzes have been turned in. You will not be able to complete the quiz after arriving late. Please wait until I have collected all quizzes before taking out notes, textbooks or laptops.

 

Assignments: There will be three take-home assignments this semester. Only the two highest grades will count toward your final average. These assignments involve answering five to seven questions related to the textbook, articles and videos. You will have at least five days to one week to complete these assignments. The assignments take a few hours to complete so you do not want to wait until the last minute to start on an assignment. You will submit your assignment answers in Canvas. Assignments will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignment Due Dates

Assignment 1 by Monday, January14th by 11 pm

Assignment 2 by Tuesday, January 22^nd by 11 pm

Assignment 3 by Monday, January 28^th by 11 pm

 

Canvas: You will be turning in assignments through Canvas. The assignment information will be posted under modules. Only open the assignment up when you are ready to submit all answers. You are not able to open the actual assignment up multiple times. You will be able to view the questions, videos and articles in Canvas in the assignment folder under lessons. You will also be able to view the study guides in Canvas and view the gradebook to see your average.

 

Tests: There will be three tests taken in class this semester. Tests will have 65-75 multiple choice and short-answer questions. It is important to take good notes in class. A study guide will also be provided letting you know what additional terms from the textbook will be on the test. You only need to bring a pen or pencil to complete the test, a scantron is not needed. No notes, textbook or cell phones can be used during a test. We will take the test during the second half of the class except on the final exam day. If you miss one test, you can make that test up after you complete your final exam on the last day of class.

 

Final Exam: The final exam will be taken in class on the last class meeting. It is technically test 4 and only covers new material since Test 3. If you missed Test 1, Test 2 or Test 3, you make up that missed test on the same day you take Test 4 on Thursday, January 31st.

Other Class Policies:

1. If you are absent on a non test day, you do not need to contact the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes from another classmate. The instructor does not forward notes. The syllabus shows the chapter and topics that will be covered in class each day.  
2. Cheating: will not be tolerated. Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a failing grade and/or expulsion from the course -- refer to the college guidelines regarding cheating. According to the Websters New World Dictionary, to plagiarize means "to take (ideas, writings, etc.) from (another) and offer them as one's own." This also includes copying and pasting information from the internet, submitting an assignment that you did not write yourself, or using notes or a cell phone during a test. This also means that if you are repeating the course, you may NOT turn in work from the previous semester. If you are caught, you will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.
3. Class behavior: The following are some behaviors that are unacceptable and are annoying. An unacceptable behavior can be defined as anything that someone says or does that interferes with the ability of themselves or others to achieve the learning objectives that day. Unacceptable behavior includes: the use of cell phones or other electronics during class and/or test time, without the express permission of the professor and/or an accommodation form from DSP&S; completing other tasks, such as work for another class; outside reading, talking to other students, sleeping in class, tardiness to class. If you are caught in one of these unacceptable behaviors, you will be politely asked to leave the classroom. Simply stated: if you must engage in any of these three behaviors during class time, you should do so outside of the classroom, out of view.
4. 4. "I" Grades: According to the college policy, you may request an Incomplete, "I," after the last day to drop only in verifiable cases of emergency when the student is unable to complete the course due to extenuating circumstances which occur during the final weeks of the course.
5. Changes to the syllabus: The instructor retains the right to make changes and/or alterations to this syllabus. If any changes are made, the instructor will notify the students.

Class Schedule

Date	Chapter	Topics Covered	*There is a quiz every Mon, Tues and Wed
Mon 01/07	1 What is neuroscience? 2 Communication in Nervous System	Introduction to Class, Brain Imaging Technologies
Tues 01/08	3 Functions of the Nervous System4 Methods and Ethics of Research	Ethical issues in DNA and gene research
Wed 01/09	8 Emotions and Health	Anger, fear, impulse control and emotional intelligence
Thurs 01/10	7 Biology of Sex and Gender	Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity	Test 1
Mon 01/14	12 Learning and Memory	Brain changes during memory formation, amnesia	Assignment 1 Due by 11 pm
Tues 01/15	15 Sleep and Consciousness	Sleep stages and effects of sleep deprivation
Wed 01/16	15 Sleep and Consciousness	Sleep Disorders
Thurs 01/17	9 Hearing 10 Vision	Sensory Perception: vision, hearing, taste, smell	Test 2
Mon 01/21	NO CLASS	NO CLASS	MLK Holiday
Tues 01/22	11 Body Senses and Movement 5 Drugs, Addiction and Reward	Movement Disorders Biological changes in alcohol and drug use and heredity issues	*Assignment 2 Due by 11 pm
Wed 01/23	6 Motivation and Internal States	Eating Behaviors, Obesity
Thurs 01/24	6 Motivation and Internal States	Eating Disorders, Heredity and Treatment	Test 3
Mon 01/28	13 Intelligence and Cognitive Functioning	Theories of intelligence, Intellectual Disability and Alzheimer’s	Assignment 3 Due by 11 pm
Tues 01/29	14 Psychological Disorders	Anxiety Disorders
Wed 01/30	14 Psychological Disorders	Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders
Thurs 01/31		Final Exam	Make-up Exams after final