PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE AT A GLANCE........................................................................................................................................................................4
COURSE DESCRIPTION......................................................................................................................................................................4
COURSE DESIGN.................................................................................................................................................................................4
PREREQUISITES...................................................................................................................................................................................5
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES.....................................................................................................................................................5
COURSE MATERIALS...........................................................................................................................................................................6
REQUIRED TEXT.................................................................................................................................................................................6
REQUIRED RESOURCES.....................................................................................................................................................................6
Articles................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Multimedia..........................................................................................................................................................................................6
Supplemental Materials......................................................................................................................................................................6
Websites..............................................................................................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES.........................................................................................................................................................7
Text......................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Articles................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Multimedia..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Supplemental Materials......................................................................................................................................................................8
Websites..............................................................................................................................................................................................9
COURSE GRADING..............................................................................................................................................................................10
DISCUSSIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................................10
QUIZZES..............................................................................................................................................................................................10
2
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................................................................................................................................10
Written Assignments..........................................................................................................................................................................10
FINAL PROJECT.................................................................................................................................................................................11
GRADING PERCENT BREAKDOWN...............................................................................................................................................11
WEEK ONE.............................................................................................................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE................................................................................................................12
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................12
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................12
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................13
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................14
Discussions.......................................................................................................................................................................................15
Quiz...................................................................................................................................................................................................17
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................17
WEEK TWO............................................................................................................................................................................................19
RESEARCH IN BEHAVIORAL NEURISCIENCE............................................................................................................................19
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................19
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................19
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................19
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................19
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................21
Interactive Discussion.......................................................................................................................................................................22
Quiz...................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................23
WEEK THREE........................................................................................................................................................................................24
SENSORY SYSTEMS IN THE BRAIN..............................................................................................................................................24
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................24
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................24
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................24
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................24
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................26
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................26
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................27
WEEK FOUR...........................................................................................................................................................................................29
MEMORY AND LANGUAGE............................................................................................................................................................29
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................29
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................29
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................29
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................29
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................31
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................32
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................32
WEEK FIVE............................................................................................................................................................................................34
MEMORY AND LANGUAGE............................................................................................................................................................34
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................34
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................34
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................34
3
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................34
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................35
Discussions.......................................................................................................................................................................................36
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................37
WEEK SIX...............................................................................................................................................................................................38
DISORDERS OF DEVELOPMENT AND AGING.............................................................................................................................38
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................38
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................38
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................38
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................38
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................39
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................40
Final Project.....................................................................................................................................................................................41
COURSE MAP.........................................................................................................................................................................................43
4
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
COURSE AT A
GLANCE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course students will explore the detailed anatomy and physiology of the brain, including cellular physiology,
synaptic transmission, and clinical neuroanatomy. Theories that focus on the relationship between brain function and
behavior will be reviewed, and students will illustrate their understanding of important brain networks, including those
involved in sensation/perception, language, memory, movement, and emotions. Through a review of the history of
behavioral neuroscience, students will learn about the relationship between symptom presentation and underlying theories
of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology as well as how these concepts have evolved over time. Students will also become
familiar with important research methods used in neuroscience by analyzing current concepts in brain aging and
neurodegenerative diseases. For the final assignment in the course, students will design a grant proposal that focuses on a
particular disorder/syndrome in the area of neurophysiology.
COURSE DESIGN
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the anatomical and physiological functioning of the brain
and an introduction to the different networks in the brain that are responsible for all areas of cognition including language,
processing sensory information, and memory. Students will examine the symptoms, causes, and treatments for common
disorders that occur due to damage or injury to these brain networks. Developmental brain disorders and disorders
associated with aging will also be reviewed.
Throughout the course, students will have several opportunities to practice their professional skills. They will write their
own mock curriculum vitae, evaluate a research article and prepare a video presentation to share with the class, play the
role of a clinician as they review sample cases and discuss differential diagnoses, and take on the role of a grant
reviewer to provide feedback to their peers.
The weekly readings, discussions, and assignments will provide opportunities for students to work in an interactive virtual
brain laboratory to reinforce concepts and to explore real-life case examples illustrating the week’s course content.
Throughout the course, students will create sections of their Grant Proposals, which are due at the end of Week Six. This
final assignment, a completed grant proposal that includes a budget, will give students the opportunity to experience all of
the required steps necessary to apply for funding to conduct a research study in a professional setting. When writing their
proposals, students will use the knowledge they gained throughout the course to develop an evidence-based research plan
that addresses a novel area or question in the field of clinical neuropsychology or basic neuroscience.
5
BEHAVIOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COURSE AT A GLANCE........................................................................................................................................................................4
COURSE DESCRIPTION......................................................................................................................................................................4
COURSE DESIGN.................................................................................................................................................................................4
PREREQUISITES...................................................................................................................................................................................5
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES.....................................................................................................................................................5
COURSE MATERIALS...........................................................................................................................................................................6
REQUIRED TEXT.................................................................................................................................................................................6
REQUIRED RESOURCES.....................................................................................................................................................................6
Articles................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Multimedia..........................................................................................................................................................................................6
Supplemental Materials......................................................................................................................................................................6
Websites..............................................................................................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES.........................................................................................................................................................7
Text......................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Articles................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Multimedia..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Supplemental Materials......................................................................................................................................................................8
Websites..............................................................................................................................................................................................9
COURSE GRADING..............................................................................................................................................................................10
DISCUSSIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................................10
QUIZZES..............................................................................................................................................................................................10
2
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................................................................................................................................10
Written Assignments..........................................................................................................................................................................10
FINAL PROJECT.................................................................................................................................................................................11
GRADING PERCENT BREAKDOWN...............................................................................................................................................11
WEEK ONE.............................................................................................................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE................................................................................................................12
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................12
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................12
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................13
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................14
Discussions.......................................................................................................................................................................................15
Quiz...................................................................................................................................................................................................17
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................17
WEEK TWO............................................................................................................................................................................................19
RESEARCH IN BEHAVIORAL NEURISCIENCE............................................................................................................................19
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................19
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................19
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................19
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................19
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................21
Interactive Discussion.......................................................................................................................................................................22
Quiz...................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................23
WEEK THREE........................................................................................................................................................................................24
SENSORY SYSTEMS IN THE BRAIN..............................................................................................................................................24
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................24
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................24
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................24
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................24
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................26
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................26
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................27
WEEK FOUR...........................................................................................................................................................................................29
MEMORY AND LANGUAGE............................................................................................................................................................29
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................29
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................29
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................29
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................29
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................31
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................32
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................32
WEEK FIVE............................................................................................................................................................................................34
MEMORY AND LANGUAGE............................................................................................................................................................34
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................34
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................34
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................34
3
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................34
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................35
Discussions.......................................................................................................................................................................................36
Assignment........................................................................................................................................................................................37
WEEK SIX...............................................................................................................................................................................................38
DISORDERS OF DEVELOPMENT AND AGING.............................................................................................................................38
Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................38
Weekly Learning Outcomes..............................................................................................................................................................38
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................38
Required Resources...........................................................................................................................................................................38
Recommended Resources..................................................................................................................................................................39
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................................................................40
Final Project.....................................................................................................................................................................................41
COURSE MAP.........................................................................................................................................................................................43
4
, PSY625: BIOLOGICAL BASES OF COURSE GUIDE
BEHAVIOR
COURSE AT A
GLANCE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course students will explore the detailed anatomy and physiology of the brain, including cellular physiology,
synaptic transmission, and clinical neuroanatomy. Theories that focus on the relationship between brain function and
behavior will be reviewed, and students will illustrate their understanding of important brain networks, including those
involved in sensation/perception, language, memory, movement, and emotions. Through a review of the history of
behavioral neuroscience, students will learn about the relationship between symptom presentation and underlying theories
of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology as well as how these concepts have evolved over time. Students will also become
familiar with important research methods used in neuroscience by analyzing current concepts in brain aging and
neurodegenerative diseases. For the final assignment in the course, students will design a grant proposal that focuses on a
particular disorder/syndrome in the area of neurophysiology.
COURSE DESIGN
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the anatomical and physiological functioning of the brain
and an introduction to the different networks in the brain that are responsible for all areas of cognition including language,
processing sensory information, and memory. Students will examine the symptoms, causes, and treatments for common
disorders that occur due to damage or injury to these brain networks. Developmental brain disorders and disorders
associated with aging will also be reviewed.
Throughout the course, students will have several opportunities to practice their professional skills. They will write their
own mock curriculum vitae, evaluate a research article and prepare a video presentation to share with the class, play the
role of a clinician as they review sample cases and discuss differential diagnoses, and take on the role of a grant
reviewer to provide feedback to their peers.
The weekly readings, discussions, and assignments will provide opportunities for students to work in an interactive virtual
brain laboratory to reinforce concepts and to explore real-life case examples illustrating the week’s course content.
Throughout the course, students will create sections of their Grant Proposals, which are due at the end of Week Six. This
final assignment, a completed grant proposal that includes a budget, will give students the opportunity to experience all of
the required steps necessary to apply for funding to conduct a research study in a professional setting. When writing their
proposals, students will use the knowledge they gained throughout the course to develop an evidence-based research plan
that addresses a novel area or question in the field of clinical neuropsychology or basic neuroscience.
5
