PSYC 628
Advanced Physiological Psychology
Biological Foundations of Behavior
Catalog Entry
PSYC 628. Advanced Physiological Psychology
Three Hours Lecture (3).
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or permission of the instructor
Survey of the scientific literature involving physiological mechanisms of learning and memory, perception and action, attention and emotion as well as psychological theories of mental disorders. Neural as well as biochemical processes will be covered.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
I. Physiological manipulation and measurement
A. Time scales in physiological studies
B. Levels of explanation in physiological research
II. Cell structure and function
III. Neural communication
IV. Structure of the nervous system
V. Perception and movement
VI. Attention and emotion
VII. Motivation
VIII. Learning and memory
IX. Language
X. Mental disorders
Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
The course will be taught in a lecture-discussion format. The emphasis will be on reading original research (both classical and recent) and their integration into theoretical perspectives on the given topics.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
After successfully completing this course students will be able to:
(1) Describe the basic principles of neurophysiology including the structure of neurons, and the resting membrane potential, action potential, and synaptic transmission.
(2) Describe the structure of the brain and spinal cord, including the major functional systems of the brain.
(3) Describe the neural processes that underlie attention and perception, actions, emotion, memory, learning and motivation.
(4) Describe the major anatomical and biochemical approaches to the understanding of various clinical syndromes including Parkinson's disease, Huntington chorea, Korsakoff's syndrome, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, and affective disorders.
(5) Describe the major approaches toward an understanding of global brain function and mind brain relationships including neural networks and artificial intelligence, holonomic and various system-theoretic approaches, and discuss their practical and philosophic limitations.
(6) Read and critically evaluate original research literature in physiological psychology.
Assessment Measures
Graded assignments may include in-class tests, a final examination, pop quizzes, the assignment and presentation of exercise/labs and projects, papers and class preparation and participation.
Other Course Information
(1) A textbook supplemented with original journal articles will constitute the reading material for the course.
(2) A computer program for the teaching and review of neuroanatomy will be used in the course.
(3) It is expected that students will have (or be willing to acquire) basic skills in the use of the department and campus computer network including file transfer, e-mail, and remote access to campus facilities (including the library).
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
Date Action Approval by
March 1999
