BCS 246: Syllabus

Fall 2009

Time & Location

Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Course Intent

The objective of this course is to present current understanding of biologic mechanisms involved in the etiology and pathology of various brain disorders, including both those disorders generally classified as "mental disorders" and disorders generally classified as "neurologic disorders." Basic concepts of neurobiology will be presented along with discussion of the clinical presentation and management of the various disorders. The material to be presented is broad. In addition to the required books, we will select readings from a variety of other sources.

Personnel

Professor Carol Kellogg
Office: Meliora 186
Telephone: 275-4801
Office Hours: 2:00-3:00 PM, M & W or by appointment
e-mail:

Professor John Langfitt
Office: Meliora 363
Telephone: 275-9495
Office Hours: By appointment
e-mail:

Reading Assignments

Andreasen, Nancy C. Brave New Brain: Conquering Mental Illness in the Era of the Geneome, Oxford University Press, 2001. This book provides clear case descriptions of various mental illnesses and also places these illnesses in the context of biologic disorders. REQUIRED

Additional readings from the literature will be assigned also, and these readings are linked to Blackboard on the lecture schedule. In particular we have assigned several chapters from the third edition (2009) of Neurobiology of Mental Illness, D.S. Charney an E.J. Nestler, Eds. These chapters can be accessed via Blackboard.

Course Evaluation

Five exams accounting for 100% of the final grade will be given. Both take-home and in-class exams are scheduled. Study questions will be handed out prior to the in-class exams. The following ranges provide a general guideline for estimating final grades:

>90% = A-/A
78%-89% = B-/B/B+
65%-77% = C-/C/C+

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