The attached knowledge objectives represent the minimum
amount of material you must master to earn a grade of C on the objective exams
given in this course. I am providing you with this list of objectives to help
guide you to the most important topics we will be covering. This list is NOT
intended to substitute for reading the assignments and attending lectures.
Please read the Marist College grading policy to find out what is required at
this institution for earning particular
Course Objectives
Knowledge Objectives: The student will be able to
demonstrate that he/she can
Chapter 1. Biopsychology as a Neuroscience.
- distinguish between dualism and monism.
- describe reductionism in the context of physiological psychology.
- distinguish between the major divisions of neuroscience.
- identify the elements of the scientific method
- distinguish between experiments, case studies, and correlational studies.
- describe careers in the various divisions of biopsychology.
- describe the general methods of research employed in the various areas of
biopsychology.
Chapter 3. The Anatomy of the Nervous System.
- identify
the general divisions of the nervous system, central and peripheral, autonomic
and somatic, sympathetic and parasympathetic.
- identify
the major structural divisions of the brain (hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain.)
- identify
the major functional divisions of the cortex (frontal, temporal, occipital,
and parietal lobes.)
Chapter 4. Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission.
- describe
Neuron Doctrine.
- describe
the fundamental types of cells in the nervous system.
- identify
the major parts of a neuron and describe their function.
- describe
the basic features of electrical transmission.
- describe
spatial and temporal summation.
- describe
the basic features of synaptic transmission.
- list
the major classes of neurotransmitters.
Chapter 5. What Biopsycholgists Do: The Research Methods of
Biopsychology
- describe methods of studying the nervous system used by biological
psychologists
- describe methods of studying behavior used by biological psycholgists
Chapter 10. Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity
- describe ways to assess brain function.
- differentiate between signs, symptoms, syndromes and disease.
- describe the effects of closed head injuries and Shaken Infant Syndrome
- describe the effects of blocking blood flow to the brain.
- describe features of brain tumors, brain infections, multiple sclerosis,
epilepsy, dementia, and Alzheimer's.
- discuss several major movement disorder.
- identify common causes of brain damage.
Chapter 13. Hormones and Sex.
- describe the etiology of sex differences during development.
- discuss the effects of neuroandrogens on behavior.
- describe the major phases of neurodevelopment.
- identify the human at various stages of development.
- describe the basic aspects of genetics.
Chapter 15. Drug Addiction and Reward Circuits in the Brain.
- discuss how psychotropic drugs are developed.
- describe how psychotropic drugs work.
- discuss tolerance and withdrawal.
- identify the five most commonly abused drugs.
- discuss biopsycholgical theories of addiction.
- describe the significance of the medial forebrain bundle in addictions.
Chapter 16. Lateralization, Language, and the Split Brain.
- describe lateralization of function.
- describe developmental learning disorders in terms of theoretical models
of brain function.
- specific language disorders
Chapter 17. Biopsychology of Stress and Illness.
- describe the effects of stress on the brain and body.
- describe the physiological correlates of emotion.
- describe the functions of emotion.
- describe theories of depression, mania, and schizophrenia.
Special Topic: AIDS Update
- describe the life cycle of the HIV virus
- describe the natural history of the HIV pandemic
- describe three variables that can be used to model the epidemic
- describe factors that contribute to determining the values for these
variable
- describe the variety of drugs used to treat an HIV infection
- distinguish between an HIV infection and AIDS
- describe various opportunistic infections characteristic of AIDS
- describe pediatric AIDS
- describe AIDS related dementia.
Skills Objectives: During the course of the semester the
student will develop skills in
- critical thinking about the relationship between mind and brain, nature,
nurture, epigenetics and bioethics.
- using effective study strategies.
- learning how to read journal abstracts effectively
- working independently and with groups at self-directed instruction.
- creating scientifically accurate illustrations.