BCS 110: Syllabus

Spring 2013

Time & Location

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:05 AM – 12:20 PM, Hoyt Auditorium

Personnel

Lectures will be given primarily by:

Andrea Hinds (Course director)
Email:
Office: Meliora Hall, Rm 314, office hours by appointment

About the Course

This course is designed to provide a general overview on a number of topics related to the biological basis of behavior. You will be introduced to the structure, organization and function of the brain and nervous system and its many roles, including control of sensation, perception, thought, action and emotion.

Over the course of our time together, we will progress from understanding the basic components of the nervous system, toward an appreciation for how these components work together to produce complex and highly coordinated behaviors. The course is roughly divided into four components: In the first, we will learn about the cellular makeup of the brain and communication within the nervous system. Then, we will learn about how the brain processes sensory information and perceives the environment. We will then explore the control of movement and the importance of learning and memory for motivated behavior. Finally, we will examine the many facets of emotion, decision making, and neuropsychological disorders.

The lecture schedule describes the general topics to be covered in each class, along with suggested readings to complement the lecture material.

Where Do I Look for Course Information?

All the information in this syllabus, as well as additional material related to the course will be available on the BCS web site. The home page contains links to all courses offered in the department. In the section for BCS110, you will able to find the lecture notes and lecture schedule. Lecture slides and supplemental readings, as well as special announcements, discussion forums and grade updates are available on Blackboard.

How Will I Be Graded?

Written assignments

You will complete two brief written assignments that will each contribute 2% to your final grade, for a possible total of 4%. The idea of these assignments is to encourage students to think beyond the course material and investigate a research article related to biopsychology. You will be graded on effort – therefore you will receive either the full 2% for each paper or 0% for incomplete.

Each written assignment will consist of a 300-400 word summary according to the instructions listed below. Summarizing does not mean that you are simply to re-state the article – you should put in your own words, and properly cite sources. TAs will assist with instructions for finding and citing appropriate articles during recitations.

Both written assignments are to be submitted online via Blackboard. There will be a form for submission under Course Materials. Please paste your entry directly into the online form. You will only be able to submit your entry once. Late entries (between 0-24hrs late) will be docked 1% out of a possible 2%. Therefore, entries submitted more than 24hrs late will not be considered for grading. Failure to follow the instructions for topic focus or to list primary resources will result in a grade of 0%:

Written Assignment One: due Friday, March 8th, 11:59pm
Summarize an interesting research article that describes a function of any one of the sensory systems (visual, auditory, somatosensory, gustatory or olfactory) in a non-human animal.

Written Assignment Two: due Wednesday, May 1st, 11:59pm
Summarize an interesting research article that describes the use of an animal model for a human behavioral, developmental or psychiatric disorder.

For each assignment you should give some appropriate background for the topic, and provide a summary of why this particular research was done, how the research was conducted, and what the results may contribute to the field of biopsychology and the advancement of knowledge about the particular topic.

Exams

You will complete 3 mid-term exams in class and 1 final exam. All exams will be multiple choice. Mid-terms will cover the course content immediately preceding the exam and will not be cumulative. The final will consist of two sections – a section similar to the mid-terms (covering material taught immediately following the last mid-term) and a cumulative section covering material from the course as a whole.

In an effort to reduce anxiety over exam performance and ease pressure on the final exam, we will calculate your final grade to minimize the impact of your worst grade:

If your lowest grade is on a mid-term, this grade will be discarded, and your mid-term grade will be based on the remaining two exams, which will each contribute 24% to your final grade. Your final exam will then be worth 48% of your final grade.
If your lowest grade is on the final, the contribution to your final grade on this exam will decrease to 24% (equivalent to a mid-term) and your mid-term grade will be based on the three mid-term exams, which will each contribute 24% to your grade.

Therefore, your total grade will be calculated as follows:

2 mid-term grades (24% x 2) = 48%
Final exam (48%) OR Final exam (24%) and 3rd mid-term (24%) = 48%
2 written assignments = 4%
48% + 48% + 4% = 100%

Midterm grades will be sent via Blackboard and an announcement will be posted when they are available. A notice will also be posted for receipt of both written assignments. Final exam grades will not be available on Blackboard and final course grades will be posted via the Registrar after the final exam date.

All midterm exams will take place in Hoyt Auditorium (where lectures are held) during regularly scheduled class time. The dates of mid-terms and the final are identified on the lecture schedule. If you believe you have a conflict that would prevent you from attending an exam, such as a school-sanctioned event, or have missed an exam due to an extraordinary personal situation or illness, please email Dr. Hinds as soon as possible. Only sufficient proof of illness or other extenuating circumstances will be considered for allowing you to take the exam at a different time, or to arrange a make-up. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ARRANGE A MAKE-UP ON THE BASIS OF PERSONAL OBLIGATIONS, OR BECAUSE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE EXAMS ON THE SAME DAY. PLEASE NOTE THE EXAM SCHEDULE BEFORE MAKING TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

How Do I Get Help with the Course?

Recitations

The three Teaching Assistants (TAs) will each run a weekly recitation. Attendance at one of these recitations will help ensure success in the course. You may attend any of the assigned recitations. During recitations, TAs will review the concepts from the lecture material and answer questions from students. It is up to you to come prepared with questions and utilize this resource. TA's will not simply re-teach the lecture slides. Recitations will begin the week of Monday, January 28th:

Please attend ONE of the following:

Recitation	TA	Email	Time	Room
1	Frank Garcea		Mondays, 6:15PM–7:30PM	Bausch & Lomb 106
2	Taryn Mockus		Tuesdays, 3:15PM–4:30PM	Bausch & Lomb 106
3	Grace Lisandrelli		Fridays, 2PM–3:15PM	Bausch & Lomb 106

Additional Resources

If you are experiencing difficulties with the course material and would like extra help, there are several opportunities for additional assistance, such as Tutoring, Study Groups, and Disability Support:
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
College Center for Advising Services

Are There Required Readings for the Course?

The textbook for the course is: Pinel, Biopsychology, 8th edition, Allyn & Bacon

The aim of this course is to introduce students to topics that may be supplemented with other resources, including the textbook. You will not be tested specifically on material in the text that is not covered in lectures. However, there are many topics in the lectures that will be covered in greater detail in the text and will provide a greater understanding of the material, which will benefit you for the exams and assignments. It may be helpful to review the relevant textbook chapters before lectures – these are listed in the lecture schedule.

For another good resource for information related to the course, consider visiting the Society for Neuroscience Brain Facts website

Expectations

As a student, you should expect that your instructors provide a respectful learning environment and provide appropriate feedback and guidance. Similarly, we expect you to show this same respect to your instructors, and fellow students by attending, and participating in, lectures and recitations. It is also expected that you will adhere to the policies regarding academic honesty outlined at http://www.rochester.edu/College/honesty/. Violations of Academic Integrity, such as cheating and plagiarism, are taken seriously, and will be dealt with accordingly.

I look forward to working with you this term, and hope you enjoy this introduction to the Neural Basis of Behavior!

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