Biological Psychology
Psy 3310
Fall 2009

Teaching Philosophy

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled" --Plutarch

Course Materials

Required textbook:  Biological Psychology, 10th edition (2009), by James W. Kalat. View the textbook's student resources (flashcards, practice quiz, etc).

Catalog Description

An overview of the biological bases of behavior, addressing the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in such behaviors as sensation, movement, sleep, reproduction, and mental disorders.

Course Objectives

• General objectives
  • Learn how to think critically by examining important historical and current research in biological psychology.
  • Understand the widespread application of biological psychology by covering a variety of topics and relating them to everyday life.
  • Appreciate the complexity and flexibility of the brain.
  • Enjoy learning about biological psychology.
• Specific Objectives
  • Know what biological psychology is and how it relates to other fields of study.
• Understand how neurons work and how they communicate with each other.
• Know the major structures of the nervous system and what their functions are.
• Be able to describe the important processes involved in development of the brain and recovery of function following brain damage.
• Know the brain mechanisms of why we sleep and dream.
• Know how the brain regulates temperature, thirst, and hunger.
• Understand the normal and abnormal development of the sex organs and brain areas involved in sexual behavior.
• Know the current theories of how certain brain areas are related to symptoms of psychological disorders including depression, substance abuse, and schizophrenia.

Requirements and Grading

Quizzes

• Chapter quizzes will be administered online through Blackboard. They will be available for up to 5 days after we complete the associated chapter in class. Questions on the chapter quizzes are multiple choice, T/F, and short answer from material covered in class and the textbook. You will have approximately 30 minutes to take the quiz once you begin. If you have a technical problem while taking the quiz, login to Blackboard as soon as you can and complete the quiz, even if it says your time has expired (Blackboard will save the answers).
• After the quiz has been graded, you can view your results by going to the quiz page and clicking on the action menu icon to the right of the quiz name. Select "View Submission", then click on the attempt number link to see your graded quiz.
• In return for giving you the flexibility on where and when you take the quizzes, I expect you to be honest in taking the quiz without help from your textbook, notes, classmates, or other sources. Make up quizzes will only be given for University-approved absences that extend beyond the 5 day window to take the quiz.

Final Exam

• The comprehensive final exam is scheduled for Tuesday December 15th from 8-10 am.

Journal Article Critiques

• View the complete instructions
• Deadlines
  • 1st journal critique: September 16
  • 2nd journal critique: October 14
  • 3rd journal critique: November 11

TurningPoint

TurningPoint is the EIU campus standard for student response systems. As part of this class, you are required to purchase a TurningPoint clicker from the Bookstore, at the cost of approximately $35 + tax. I may use TurningPoint software to do class polling of student opinions and knowledge and monitor participation. You must register your clicker so I can award your participation points. A portion of your grade will depend on TurningPoint participation in class.

A portion of your grade will depend on "clicker" participation in class. As long as you participate on half of the days or more that I record participation, you will receive the full participation points. If you participate in less than half of the days, your participation points will be reduced accordingly.

Academic misconduct

Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic misconduct will not be tolerated.  Academic misconduct will result in failure of the course, and appropriate disciplinary action, according to university guidelines.

Reading Schedule

Please read the chapters in the textbook before class in order to enhance understanding of demonstrations, examples, and group discussions.   Please note this schedule is subject to change. 

View the university's academic calendar for holidays and deadlines for dropping or withdrawing from a course.

Individuals with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic accomodations, please contact the coordinator of the Office of Disability Services (581-6583) as soon as possible.