WIDENER UNIVERSITY
Social Science Division
Biological Psychology
(Psychology 355, Section A)
Spring, 2001

Dr. John P. Galla Days:   Tuesday & Thursday
Phone: (610) 499-4371 Time:   09:30 AM - 10:45 AM  
FAX:    (610) 499-4603 Room:  LC 1
Office: LC 230 Office hours: M/W/F 8-8:50AM, T/Th 8-9:15AM
Email: galla@pop1.science.widener.edu Web: http://www.science.widener.edu/~galla

Text: Kalat, J. W. (2001). Biological Psychology (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Exams: Exams will emphasize the application of principles and the solution of specific problems. Questions will consist of selected thought questions from the book and multiple choice questions, (which will reflect the reading and class discussion). There will be 4 exams and a final. Each regular class period exam will be worth 20% of the final grade and the cumulative final will also be worth 20%. However, anyone with a 93 or above average after the 4 regular exams is exempted from the final. The exams are tentatively scheduled for 2/15, 3/19, 4/12, and 4/26. Final exam week is May 4 - 9.  The Registrar will schedule the final.

Anyone missing an exam without my written permission will receive a zero for that exam. Makeup exams for students legitimately excused will be given on  May 1, 2001 (last day of class).

Grades: will be assigned as follows

A = 93% or above
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 60-66
F = 59% or below (no exceptions to the 59% rule)

Everyone officially enrolled in this course will receive a grade. Moreover an incomplete (I) will not be assigned in this class.

Attendance: Students are limited to 4 absences (twice the number of weekly class meetings) without penalty, provided these absences do not occur on a scheduled exam date. Students missing more than 4 classes without prior written permission will have their final course averages reduced by 5 percentage points for each absence.

Arriving late:  Students are expected to be on time for class.   If you do find yourself late for class I ask that you enter the classroom in an unobtrusive manner and find the nearest available seat.  Students who habitually (more than three times) come to class late (more than 5 minutes after the start of class) will have their final course averages reduced by 5 percentage points for each late arrival.

 Recording: Recording lectures is generally prohibited.  A student with special needs may be allowed to record lectures if 1) official documentation regarding the special need is presented and 2) a standard contract is signed regarding the use and disposition of the recorded lectures.

Telephones and pagers:  All cell phones and pagers must be turned off during the class period. Sorry - no exceptions.  
Office: My office is room 230 in Kapelski Learning Center. I invite you talk to me about any questions or problems concerning this course. My office hours for spring, 2001are Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00-8:50 and Tuesday & Thursday 8:00-9:15.  I am available at other times by appointment.  You may also email me at galla@pop1.science.widener.edu.  I will only respond to signed email.  I am unable to discuss grades via email.

Cheating: Although I have never had a cheating incident in this course, we will adhere to the cheating policy which appears in the 2000-2001 Student Handbook, Undergraduate, Day Session. In the event of a cheating incident, the cheating policy will be rigorously enforced!

Psychology 355 - Course Outline, Spring, 2001 Semester*

Date Topic Assignment Problems 
1/16
1/18		 Outline 1. Introduction to Major Issues

Outline 1a (supplement to book). Psychophysiology: historical antecedents (1800s)

Outline 1b Nature/Nurture and Animal Research

  Chapter 1 p. 18,  Thought Questions 1 & 2
1/23
1/25
 2. Neurons, Glia

2a. Nerve Impulses

 Chapter 2 p. 48, Thought Questions 1,2 & 3
1/30
2/1
 3ab. Postsynaptic Potentials

3. Synaptic Transmission and Neurotransmitters

3a. Drugs, Synapses and Behavior

 Chapter 3 p. 56, Thought Question 3
p. 77, Thought Questions 1 & 2
2/6
2/8		 4. The Nervous System
4a. (supplement to book).   Methods of Investigation
4b. Nervous System (supplement)		 Chapter 4 p. 101, Thought Question 1
2/13 Review for Exam 1 covering Chapters 1-4          
2/15 Exam 1 covering Chapters 1-4      One randomly selected Thought Question, two Thought Questions of your choice, and 20 multiple choice questions (five from each chapter). The multiple-choice questions will reflect the review questions and/or class discussion.
2/20
2/22
 5.  The Development and Plasticity of the Brain 
6.  Sensory systems and Vision		 Chapter 5
Chapter 6		 p. 147, Thought Question 1 
p. 180, Thought Question 1
p. 186, Thought Question 1
2/27
3/1
 7. Non-Visual Sensory Systems Chapter 7
 p. 200, Thought Questions 1 & 3
p. 210, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 220, Thought Questions 1
3/5-3/9 Mid-Term Break                
3/13

8. Brain Mechanisms of Movement 

 Chapter 8 p. 230, Thought Question 1
p. 241, Thought Question 1
p. 249, Thought Questions 1 & 2
3/15 Review for Exam 2 - covering Chapters 5-8                 
3/19 Exam 2 - covering Chapters 5-8         One randomly selected Thought Question,  two Thought Questions of your choice, and 20 multiple choice questions (five from each chapter). The multiple-choice questions will reflect the review questions and or class discussion.
3/20
3/22		 9. Rhythms of Wakefulness and Sleep Chapter 9 p. 261, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
p. 272, Thought Question 1
p. 279, Thought Question 1
3/27
3/29		 10. The Regulation of Internal Body States Chapter 10 p. 288, Thought Question 1
p. 293, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 308, Thought Question 1
4/3
4/5		 11. Reproductive Behaviors Chapter 11 p. 323, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
p. 332, Thought Question 2
4/10 12. Emotional Behaviors Chapter 12 p. 341, Thought Question 1
p. 348, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 360, Thought Question 1
4/12 Exam 3 Covering Chapters 9-12      One randomly selected Thought Question, two Thought Questions of your choice, and 20 multiple choice questions (five from each chapter). The multiple-choice questions will reflect the review questions and/or class discussion.
4/13-4/16 Spring Holiday - No Class           
4/17 13. Biology of Learning and Memory Chapter 13 p. 380, Thought Question 2
p. 389, Thought Questions 1
4/19 14. Lateralization and Language
 Chapter 14
 p. 404, Thought Question 1
p. 419, Thought Questions 1 & 2
4/24 15. Alcoholism, Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia Chapter 15 p. 427, Thought Question 1
p. 437, Thought Questions 1 & 2
p. 450, Thought Questions 1, 2, & 3
4/26 Exam 4 - covering Chapters 13-15      One randomly selected Thought Question, two Thought Questions of your choice, and 20 multiple choice questions (five from each chapter). The multiple-choice questions will reflect the review questions and/or class discussion.
5/1 Last day of classes. Make up day for any missed exams.      

*Please note that the above schedule is tentative and changes may be made during the semester

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