COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a philosophical and biological exploration of the relationship between the brain and human behavior, mind, and consciousness. It focuses upon how the brain works at the neural level, including development of the brain and environmental influences on its functioning. It reviews the systems involved with sensation (including pain), motor activity, emotion, memory and learning, thinking and consciousness. It considers the effects of psychoactive drugs and briefly explores the malfunctioning mind and its consequences for behavior. The course will also explore differences related to sex and changes in the brain due to normal and abnormal aging.

Garrett, B. (2003). Brain and Behavior. Thomson Wadsworth Publishing. (with CD)

Recommended alternative text for those interested in taking advanced courses in neuroscience or going to graduate school in cognitive, health, or clinical psychology:

Bear, Connors & Paradiso (2001). Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. Second Edition. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Regular attendance is expected. Attendance will be recorded and will contribute to your grade. Your attendance grade will consist of the percentage of classes attended (e.g., 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B and so on). Two absences will be discarded (not counted) when computing the attendance percentage. You are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all that goes on in the course even if you are not present.

Two multiple choice midterm exams (non-cumulative), will be given on the dates noted on the syllabus, each one covering assigned chapters in the textbook, CD-ROM material, handouts, and information presented in class from the end of the previous exam. (You may keep your exams to use when studying for the final.) One multiple choice final exam (non-cumulative) will be given, covering new readings since the previous midterm. These exams will count 60% of your course grade (20% for each exam). Contact me if you miss an exam. Exams that are missed due to a verifiable emergency or illness may be made up by appointment, but must be made up before the date of the next exam.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit on the final exam can be earned by signing up for and participating as a subject in experiments through the Cal Poly Pomona human subjects pool. Instructions for doing this are provided on the course webpage. One unit of credit for experiment participation will count as one point on the exam. Up to three points can be earned this way. The span between grades is typically 4 pts, so in many cases this can be enough points to raise your score from one grade to another. This is optional -- there is no requirement to earn extra credit this way. An extra credit question will be provided on the final exam, for those who do not wish to participate in experiments.

A 6-8 page term paper is required. Additional information about how to prepare the paper will be presented during class. The due date is listed in the syllabus. The paper must be written on a topic selected from a list that will be passed out during class. Papers must be typed or word-processed and printed. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. The text must be double-spaced. Be sure to make a copy of your paper before turning it in. Staple the paper in the upper left corner but do not enclose it in a folder of any kind. Computer equipment for preparing your paper is available in various campus computer labs (see me if you do not know what or where these are). Plagiarism or purchase of your term paper from a website will be considered academic dishonesty. If you do this, you will receive an F for your paper grade and will be reported to the campus Office of Judicial Affairs. If you find writing difficult, please seek help from the Campus Writing Center.

The required coursework for this class includes:

Attendance	10%
Term Paper	30%
Midterms and Final (20% each)	60%

Your grade will be determined in comparison to the other students in the course, however it is potentially possible for everyone to earn an A in this course if everyone does as well as the top students. Grade distributions and answer keys will be provided after each exam so you can compare your progress with others and study for the final exam.

HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS

You must buy and read the textbook (with CD) to do well in this course. Understanding the material in this course requires effort and you may need to read parts of the textbook repeatedly in order to fully understand them. A study guide for this course has been placed on reserve at the library. The main challenge of this course is acquiring new vocabulary. Most chapters will require memorization of the names of parts of the brain or neuron – some students find it helpful to use flashcards. Repetition helps a lot.

It is important to read assigned pages before attending the class on each topic. The material in the textbook is basic and will provide a foundation for the more detailed material that will be presented in class. Because I will be expanding upon the textbook, it is important to take good notes. Overheads similar to the figures in your text will be presented during class. Most of these overheads come from the Bear, Connors & Paradiso recommended text, a copy of which is on reserve at the library. If you wish to ask questions about any overhead used in class as preparation for an exam, please see me during office hours. You may find the lectures easier to follow if you bring your book to class, especially if you sit in the back of the room and cannot see the detail on the overheads very well. If you keep up with the reading and come to class regularly, you will find it much easier to do well in this class.

Do not try to study by cramming – even if it has worked for you before. All of the material will run together in your mind and you will be unable to recall the studied material at exam time. Spaced study (studying for short periods at intervals spread over a longer time) works better.

If you find yourself having difficulty with the reading, or any other aspect of the course, it is your responsibility to seek help early in the quarter. You can do this by attending office hours, by studying with other students, by seeking tutoring, or by using the resources provided by the university to help with learning-related problems (e.g., the Reading Center or the Writing Center).

If you have a disability or other difficulty that can be helped by reasonable accommodation, please meet with me early in the quarter and before the exams. No changes to exam grades can be made after the fact, except using the make-up procedure described above.