12/3/2024 9:23:21 AM	PSYC 10 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PSYC 10	Title:  INTRO TO BIO PSYCHOLOGY
Full Title:  Introduction to Biological Psychology
Last Reviewed:11/4/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  PSYCH 10

Catalog Description:

This course introduces the scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences.  Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed.  The course also notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of PSYC C1000 ( or PSYC 1A or PSYCH 1A)

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course introduces the scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences.  Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed.  The course also notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of PSYC C1000 ( or PSYC 1A or PSYCH 1A)
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 2018	Inactive:
Area:	D	Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 2018
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 2018
	4I	Psychology
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2018	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2018	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: PSY 150	Introduction to Biological Psychology	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): PSYC10 OR PSYC10 AND PSYC10L
CID Descriptor: PSY 150	Introduction to Biological Psychology	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): PSYC10 OR PSYC10 AND PSYC10L

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify basic brain structures and functional neural systems, as related to psychological pathologies.  

2. Examine brain structures and functional organization relating to language, learning, memory, reward, and sensory/motor systems.

3. Compare and contrast the role for neurotransmitters in the etiology and treatment of various psychopathologies such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define and use biological, physiological, and psychological terminology of the neurosciences.

2. Differentiate among specialty areas within Biological Psychology and the related disciplines within the Neurosciences and the types of research that characterize the biopsychological approach.

3. Summarize the major issues in human evolution, genetics, and behavioral development that underlie the "biology of behavior."

4. Generate and explicate concrete examples of invasive vs. noninvasive research methods and the general principles of research ethics for the study of animals and human beings, including the research safeguards and the peer-review process in science.

5. Explain scientific approaches used in methodologies for the study of brain-behavior relationships.

6. Explain the general anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior.

7. Describe neural conduction and synaptic transmission.

8. Discuss the role of the neuroendocrine system as it relates to behavior.

9. Exemplify with concrete examples various brain-behavior relationships including ingestive behavior, sexual behavior, sleep, learning, memory, stress, drug dependence, and psychiatric disorders such as affective disorders and schizophrenia.

Topics and Scope

I. The Origins of Brain and Behavior

    A. Perspectives on Brain and Behavior

    B. Evolution of Brain and Behavior

    C. Brain Size and Intelligence    

II. The Nervous System's Functional Anatomy

    A. Overview of Brain Function and Structure

    B. Nervous, Central, Somatic, and Automatic System's Evolutionary Development

    C. Basic Principles of Nervous System Function

III. Functional Units of Nervous System

    A. Cells of Nervous System

    B. Internal Structure of Cell

    C. Genes, Cells, and Behavior

IV. Neurons and Electrical Signals to Transmit Information  

     A. Electrical Activity of a Membrane

    B. How Neurons Integrate Information

    C. How Sensory Stimuli Produce Movement

V. Neural Communication and Adaptation

    A. Structure of Synapses, Excitatory and Inhibitory Messages

    B. Neurotransmitter Systems and Behavior

     C. Adaptive Role of Synapses in Learning and Memory    

VI. Influence of Drugs and Hormones on the Brain and Behavior

    A. Principles of Psychopharmacology

    B. Psychoactive Drugs

    C. Responses to Drugs and Treating Drug Abuse

VII. Brain Structures and Functions

    A. Measuring and Manipulating Brain and Behavior

    B. Chemical and Genetic Measures of Brain and Behavior

    C. Neuroscience Research Methods  

VIII. Development and Adaptation of Nervous System

    A. Neurobiology of Development

    B. Brain Development and the Environment

IX. Nature of Sensation and Perception

    A. Visual System's Functional Anatomy

    B. Neuronal Activity

X. Learning and Memory

    A. Neural Systems Underlying Explicit and Implicit Memories

    B. Structural Basis of Brain Plasticity

    C. Recovery from Brain Injury

XI. Causes of Emotional and Motivated Behavior

    A. Evolution, Environment, and Behavior

    B. Identifying the Causes of Behavior

    C. Control of Regulatory and Non-regulatory Behavior

XII. Sleep, Dream, and the Brain

    A. Neural Basis of the Biological Clock

    B. Neural Basis of Sleep and Sleep Disorders

    C. Sleep and Consciousness

XIII. The Nature of Thought and the Brain

    A. Cognition and the Association Cortex

    B. Cerebral Asymmetry in Thinking

    C. Intelligence and Consciousness

XIV. Biological Bases of Psychological Disorders

    A. Classifying and Treating Brain and Behavioral Disorders

    B. Understanding and Treating Neurological Disorders

    C. Understanding and Treating Psychiatric Disorders

Assignments:

1. Read approximately 35-60 pages per week and discuss assigned material in the textbook and supplements

2. Writing assignments that may include: term/research paper or projects for a minimum of 1250 words

3. Oral presentations and/or group projects may be assigned

4. Quizzes (0-4), exams (2-3) and one final exam or project

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 25%
Essay, term or research papers; a minimum of 1,250 words for the course
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 75 - 90%
Quizzes, exams and one final exam or project
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Oral presentations and/or group projects

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Biological Psychology. 13th ed. Kalat, James. Cengage Learning. 2018.

Physiology of Behavior. 12th ed. Carlson, Neil and Birkett, Melissa. Pearson. 2017.

An Introduction to Brain and Behavior. 5th ed. Kolb, Bryan and Whishaw, Ian and Teskey, G. Worth Publishers. 2016.

Biopsychology. 9th ed. Pinel, John. Pearson. 2014 (classic).

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