|
This course examines the various research methods that scientists use to answer questions or test hypotheses. As psychologists, these strategies help us to identify the causes of human and animal behavior. The following are research methods that are covered over the course of the semester: observational study, correlational study, experiment, and single subject design working specifically with rats and operant conditioning. This section has an emphasis in animal behavior. The only prerequisite is Psy 111.
 |
 |
The course is a survey of the role the nervous system plays in “normal behaviors” such as feeding, sleep, sex, and emotions as well as mental disorders and neurological conditions. Students apply their knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurochemistry to understand illnesses like major depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and AD/HD. Students take nine quizzes across the semester and participate in six discussion modules on topics of interest or controversy, such as “should we be using embryonic and fetal tissue to treat neurological disorders?” There is no prerequisite for this course and it is open to first year students.
 |
 |
This class focuses on how recreational, therapeutic, and common legal drugs affect the brain and behavior. Students study neural models that might explain phenomena such as tolerance, addiction, and withdrawal. They are also exposed to the economic, social, and political aspects of the drug industry and market. There are three exams and one paper required in this course. The prerequisite is Psy 221 or permission of the instructor.
This course is required for the neuroscience major because it introduces students to many of the skills needed to conduct neuroscience research. These skills include not only conducting experiments and analyzing data; but writing reports, reading articles, giving professional PowerPoint presentations, creating posters, and sharing ideas in front of your peers. Content includes behavioral studies of mice, histology, and some neurochemistry. This course is alternately taught by Adam Hall, Mary Harrington, and Beth Powell. Prerequisites include Psy 210 and Chm 11.
|
