Official Course Description:  MCCCD Approval: 6-23-2009
PSY275  2010 Spring – 2010 Fall	L+L  4.0 Credit(s)  5.0 Period(s)  4.7 Load  Acad
Biopsychology
Biological foundations of sensation, perception, motivation, emotion, cognition and psychopathology. Designed for students in the life sciences. Prerequisites: PSY101 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of Instructor.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
PSY275  2010 Spring – 2010 Fall	Biopsychology

 

1.         Describe the organization of the nervous system and communication mechanisms within the nervous system. (I)

2.         Compare and contrast brain research methods. (I)

3.         Follow sensory and motor pathways and structures through the nervous system. (II)

4.         Using brain models, identify important structures and circuits. (II, IV, V, VII)

5.         Hypothesize how nervous system damage would specifically impact behavior. (III)

6.         Explain the development of the nervous system. (III)

7.         Describe the functions of brain areas involved in higher level information processing, including memory and learning. (IV)

8.         Discuss the neural and hormonal control of sleep, eating behavior, and sexual behavior. (V)

9.         Describe brain circuits and structures associated with emotions. (V)

10.       Predict the effects certain types of drugs would have on the brain and on behavior. (VI)

11.       Apply the concept of lateralization to language. (VII)

12.       Identify the causes and treatment of neurological disorders and psychological disorders. (VIII)

 

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
PSY275  2010 Spring – 2010 Fall	Biopsychology

 

I.          Foundations of Biopsychology

            A.        Nervous system organization

            B.        Neuronal communication

            C.        Neuroanatomy

            D.        Brain research methods

II.        Sensory and Motor Systems

            A.        Visual system

            B.        Auditory system

            C.        Somatosensory systems

            D.        Chemical sense systems

            E.         Motor Systems

III.       Nervous System Development & Plasticity

            A.        Prenatal neurodevelopment

            B.        Postnatal neurodevelopment

            C.        Neuroplasticity

            D.        Nervous system damage

            E.         Treatment of nervous system damage

IV.       Cognition

            A.        Memory

            B.        Learning

V.        Motivation and emotion

            A.        Hunger and eating

            B.        Sexual behavior

            C.        Sleep and dreaming

            D.        Emotion

VI.       Health psychology

            A.        Psychotropic drugs

            B.        Stress

VII.     Brain Lateralization

            A.        Split brain

            B.        Language

VIII.    Psychopathology

            A.        Affective disorders

            B.        Anxiety disorders

            C.        Schizophrenia