4/29/2025 2:33:19 PM	PSYC 10 Course Outline as of Fall 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:

In this course, students will be introduced to the scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. This course explores the scientific method, experimental and non-experimental research, hypothesis testing, and scientific literacy in biological psychology, including the anatomy and physiology underlying  psychological phenomena. The course also notes historical scientific contributions and biases, as well as current research practices in studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of PSYC C1000

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will be introduced to the scientific study of the biological basis of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. This course explores the scientific method, experimental and non-experimental research, hypothesis testing, and scientific literacy in biological psychology, including the anatomy and physiology underlying  psychological phenomena. The course also notes historical scientific contributions and biases, as well as current research practices in studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of PSYC C1000
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 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. Apply the scientific method to investigation and evaluation of biopsychological phenomena.

2. Identify and compare brain structures and neural systems, as related to psychological functioning.

3. Evaluate the contributions and limitations of current research techniques in our understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

 

Objectives:

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.

Topics and Scope

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

Assignments:

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

2. Complete writing assignments (minimum of 1250 words, total) such as:

   

     a. Response

s  

     b. Research papers

   

     c. Summaries

3. Quiz(zes), exams (2-3) and one final exam or project

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

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%
Writing assignments
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 65 - 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 (if assigned)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

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.

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