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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the scientific method and assess information about current scientific issues in biological psychology.
2. Define and use biological, physiological, and psychological terminology.
3. Analyze and critically evaluate scientific methodologies used in the study of biopsychological phenomena in humans and non-humans.
4. Explain the general anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and its relationship to behavior.
5. Describe neural conduction and synaptic transmission (electrochemical communication).
6. Discuss the role of the neuroendocrine system as it relates to behavior.
7. Summarize the core concepts in human evolution, genetics, and behavioral development that underlie the biology of behavior.
8. Compare and contrast different sensory systems and their biological underpinnings.
9. Describe how different classes of psychoactive drugs affect brain function and behavior and discuss effective strategies for treating drug abuse.
10. Explain the neural systems involved in formation of memories and how brain plasticity may aid in recovery from brain injury.
11. Detail research investigating biological underpinnings of the biological clock, sleep, and sleep disorders and hypotheses related to consciousness.
12. Synthesize how the structure and function of the brain is related to cognition.
13. Summarize and critique current practices in categorizing psychological disorders and evidence-based approaches to treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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I. Science and the Scientific Method
A. Science and the scientific process
B. Science versus pseudoscience
C. Assessment of the quality of scientific research
D. The scientific method
1. Experimental design
2. Non-experiments
3. Hypothesis testing
4. Biopsychological Phenomena
II. The Biological Foundations of Behavior
A. Perspectives on Brain and Behavior
B. Biological Psychology: An Integrative Field of Study
C. Evolution of Brain and Behavior
III. Research Methods
A. Measuring and Manipulating Brain and Behavior
B. Chemical and Genetic Measures of Brain and Behavior
C. Ethical Considerations
D. Current and Historical Contributions, Limitations, and Biases of Research in Neuroscience
IV. The Nervous System's Functional Anatomy
A. Nervous System Structure
B. Evolution of the Nervous System
C. Brain Structures and Functions
V. Functional Units of Nervous System
A. Cells of Nervous System
B. Structure of Neurons
C. Neural Electrochemical Communication
D. Structure of Synapses
E. Excitatory and Inhibitory Messages
F. Neurotransmitter Systems and Behavior
G. Adaptation of Synapses
VI. Neuroendocrine System
A. Stress Response
B. Temperature
C. Thirst
D. Hunger
E. Reproductive Behaviors
VII. Genetics, Development, and Plasticity
A. Genetics and the Evolution of Behavior
B. Development of the Brain
C. Epigenetics
VIII. Sensation and Perception
A. The Visual System
B. The Physical Senses
C. The Chemical Senses
IX. Influence of Drugs on the Brain and Behavior
A. Principles of Psychopharmacology
B. Psychoactive Drugs
C. Responses to Drugs and Treating Drug Abuse
X. Learning and Memory
A. Neural Systems Underlying Explicit and Implicit Memories
B. Structural Basis of Brain Plasticity
C. Recovery from Brain Injury
XI. Sleep and the Brain
A. Neural Basis of the Biological Clock
B. Biological Bases of Sleep and Sleep Disorders
C. Sleep and Consciousness
XII. The Nature of Thought and the Brain
A. Cognition and Association Cortices
B. Lateralization and Thought
C. Intelligence and Consciousness
XIII. 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
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Biological Psychology. 14th ed. Kalat, James. Cengage Learning. 2024.
Physiology of Behavior. 13th ed. Carlson, Neil and Birkett, Melissa. Pearson. 2021.
An Introduction to Brain and Behavior. 7th ed. Kolb, Bryan and Whishaw, Ian and Teskey, G. Worth Publishers. 2023.
Biopsychology. 11th ed. Pinel, John. Pearson. 2021.