Psychology 410
PSYC 410: Psychopharmacology
Prerequisites: PSYC 121
Credit Hours: (3)
Overview of the effects of recreational and therapeutic drugs on human behavior and society. Students will learn how psychoactive drugs produce their effects on the brain and body, the major classes of illicit and psychotherapeutic drugs, addiction prevention and treatment, and the societal impact of drug use and abuse.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
1) Drug use overview, including history of use
2) Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs
3) Drugs and the nervous system/basic psychopharmacology
4) Categories of psychoactive drugs (depressants, stimulants, opiates, marijuana, hallucinogens, psychotherapeutics, over the counter drugs, performance enhancers)
A. Historical background
B. Routes of administration
C. Mechanisms of action in the central nervous system
D. Physiological and behavioral effects of drugs
E. Current treatment options
F. Polydrug use
5) Developmental drug exposure and its effects
6) Substance abuse prevention and treatment, including discussion of comorbid mental disorders
A. Details of use, misuse, abuse, dependence, addiction
7) Drug regulation, policy, criminal implications of drug use
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
A combination of lecture, informal discussion, in-class activities, and out-of-class assignments may be used in this course. These components will focus upon the text or other assigned readings, audio-visual presentations, or other relevant materials drawn from the popular cultural media and current events.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:
1) Explain basic principles of drug action
2) Explain/Identify how different classes of drugs produce their bahavioral and physiological effects
3) Describe the current laws relating to the regulation of illicit drug use
4) Identify and discuss the behavioral, environmental and biological factors that influence the use and abuse of licit and illict drugs
5) Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to drug treatment
Assessment Measures
Student performance will be assessed based on some combination of the following: In-class examinations, which consist of objective or essay questions; in-class or out-of-class quizzes; term papers or projects; class attendance; class participation; in-class presentations.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 13, 2016
October, 2007